The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-01-14


ness it must Be 10 you, to know that
your influence saved Herber, from be-
coming as false and unworthy as many
of his companions and Lob! how
much do owe you
William Howard wasscarcely allowed
TO speak, for the slightest exertion
brought on the cough, but he wrote on a
slate which was kept neFr him
" Less, dearest Than owe yoI-truth
and virtue never seemed so lovely, as
when reflected from your conduct" !"
There was long pause alter the wri-
ting was erased-and presently the bells
rom neighboring churches were heard
sounding for evening service. William
Howard wrote upon slate
I" Mother, will you 90 to church To-
night, and leave me, as you have some
times done, with Alice?o
Mrs Howard rose, and kissing his pale
forehead, said solemnly,--.-----
i viii pray for all Of us--L am incon-
siderate 10 leave you seldom together
"No, no." murmnred her son, only
for tonight"
The lovers were together. Lovers
what an earthly word for two such beings
as William and Alice. The one---
Whose shadow fell upon the grave
lie stood so near
the other, in the years of opening life,
with, in human probability, long and
solitary course before her. The heart of
Alice was too pure for her to play the
prude for an instant. She knelt on a
stool beside the large easy chair in which
he was supported, and, passing her arm
roundlhis neck, rested her own head upon
his pillow, so that she could overlook the
little slate on which he wrote, and muir
mur her answers into his ear. Nay, |
think she pressed kiss or two upon the
skeleton fingers, before they traced these
words:
"Tell me the truth, dear Alice where
does the money come from, by means of
which am surrounded with so many
comforsl !; cannot be my mothers
needIewoTk that earns it.o
"And you are too proud TO take a lit
tie OF our savings ! "
Z" No, darling, | am not. Pride does
not become the dying but more is spent
than even this accounts for"
"Then | will tell you,' said Alice,
after a pause; ~ think the trnth will
give you pleasure. rhe fellow-assist,
ants who protited by your advice, aud
who feel that you are among the first few
10 whom they are indebted for the better
order of things which is coming, have
insisted on clubbing together to ado d
you every comfort in your Illness"
The slate dropped from his hand, and
he 1rrote 10 more. Did they both forget
the physicians injunction that he should
not speak
May God bless them for it," burst
ieebIy from his lips, yet more hurriedIy
han the phrase could have been writ
en-; :" and yet, " he continued, they can
i'll afford it, especially now that they want
every guinea to further the plans of the
Association for their relief. Oh! Alice,
is it really true that so many OF the en-
ployers have joined?"
" Many" returned Alice, almost 10y
fully; "many OF the most respectable
houses already close at seven and,
though they are prepared 10 suffer little
at first, from the opposition Of those who
keep open, they seem at last 10 be car
rying out your favorite motto, ito follow
the right whithersoever it may Lead
Nay, they do say tkat the hours of toll
will ultimately be reduced to ten, enough
Tor poor humanity, as re kHow who haze
Wgrkcd0
"And for me TO rob them at such
time !" mumured Howard, sinking his
head upon the shoulder of Alice. She
kissed his cheek, his lips, his forehead,
and fell the hot tears streaming from
his eyes.
"There is a way" said Alice, softly,
her cheek tinglIng, she knew not why;D
"there is a means for present need, II it
could be adopted. You know my uncle
will not give me a faunng of my hun
dred pounds, nor can | touch it for some
months 10 come ;---yet--.it is so left---
that -that-.-if had married, it would
have become my husbands"
Dwell. dearest!'
Alice again paused, but her cheek
leaned against his, her lips touched his
ear, and she murmued, "Could 1t not
SO be yours :"
Fer a while there was no audible an
swer. William Howard raised his head
from Alice Markham's shoulder, and
gazed for a moment on the dark and
earnest eyes which met his own with
no coquetlish shrinking, but with look
that revealed the depths of her soul.
No, neYer!' he exclaimed, in a
louder voice than had been heard for
many weeks; and while he twined his
arms around her with something of re-
covered strength, words Of endearment
burst from his lips, and broken phrases
that might be interpreted, "Youth's
bright imaginings, and poets dreams, are
dull deusions compared with such a
heart as this "
And then came the paroyysm of the
cough, after so much excitement, and he
sank back on his pillow as helpless as an
infant A little while, and they spoke
of death, not marriage, quite calmly
and yet his frame shook when Alice
murmured, "l---I--.will be as a child to
your mother; and Herbert, too. Oh,
William he will not disgrace your
teaching"
Again the horrid knell of that painful,
tearing cough; and once more his head
drODs fondly on her shOulder Ruf there