Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-04-28

the wretchedness of his wife and child; and,
strange intatuatlon! he fed for relief to the
intoxicating cup, as though pouring the fiery
liquid down his throat would put food into their
Thought was miserable to him. and
he drank to drown it. STEPPED in drunken
ness, he neither thought nor felt when
sufficiently sober TO comprehend the uation
OF his family, its contemplation again drove
HIM to bury 1t in the forgetfulness of intoxi-
cation.
Mrs: Laverne was driven to taking in sew
ing and other work in order to obtain a scanty
livelihood. Their cottage and furniture were
sold, their servants taken from them, and they
now reside in a weather-beaten uneomforta-
bic hut, with barely enough furniture to supply
the most urgent wants. Oftentimes when one
meal was eaten, they knew not where the next
was to come from. AFFECT poverty, with all
its inconvenience, and even its ~terIors, was
weighing upon them. Former friends, or those
who pretended to be such, forsook them
Those, who in prosperity had coveted them and
tawned upon them, now stood aloof and dis
dained to enter their humble dwelling. The
clouds of adversely had driven them all away,
although nothing could be said against Mrs.
Laverne. The shadow of her husbands de-
graduation rested upon her, and she was doom
ed, though pure and innocent, to suffer from
the consequences. For herself she could en-
dure all, but for the sake Of her child, Oh! how
bitterly she lnourned. For that child she lived
and desired to live but it was the only link
that bound her to life, and it was deeply NOR
tifying to think that her little Marion, her pride
and hope, must assume a position in society
lower than the highest.
So goes the world: wealth is responsibility
/ rovortx, n 13scnan CI-Ala III: =. l'l
alnaih-and eiTa it a full purse, and it will pass
current; but dress worth and virtue in RAGS
and none will acknowledge it. Such is society.
Vain we're the entreaties of the wife and the
gentle pleadings Of the child, whom sorrow had
prematurely matured. Had Horace Laverne
been a man of less refined feelings, less acute
sensibilities, he might have acted otherwise =
but without friends, without resources. ration
atty was a torment he could not endure, and
he plunged into the vortex Of spirit-madness to
escape the pangs of reason.
1t was a bitter cold day about a year after
the opening of our story that Mrs. Laverne
and her daughter were sitting shivering over a
few emberS, when her husband, whom She had
not seen for two days, entered. He was cool
and rational, and the shade upon his brow told
how deeply he felt. He seated himself near
his wife and sat with dropping he i'd, and in ST
lence. The tears welled into Mrs. Laverne's
eyes, and little Marion, seeing her mother weep,
wept also.
% God!' groaned the wretched man, what
shall | do p
Mrs Laverne clasped her arms around him.
and falling on her knees before him, exclaimed
80 my husband. let me implore you to
drink no more. You know not how lonely and
miserable l am. For my sake, your own sake.
| and for tho Colo IF o"1 14-I:-- Ill II
loose from the habit of drinking.'O
What can l do p groaned the husband. Il
can get no employment by which to earn a
support, [ have not a friend on earth save YOU
and it is only to escape the fate of the maniac
that | resort to temporary insanity
Drink no more,' plead the wife, and hap
piness will soon be restored to us. You have
talents that can be turned to noble uses. I will
cheerfully labor, even day and night, and will
feel proud to do it, if | can only have your So
cIety, add to your comfort, and bring back the
old-time love and confidence. Peace and plenty
will soon surround US, and smiles of content
ment will again wreath our. lips. Do you not
remember, love, the happy nights when we
SAT by our own hreslde and read and talked
~ torture me not with their memory ?. cried
ne 1t Is like heaping burning Goals upon nv
nead: They are gone, never, never to return,
Say not so, my love- replied Mrs. La
verne; only be sober and steady, and all will
De we'll. Heaven helps those who helm them
selves, and Providence will provide for us if
we Will endeavor to merit its BLESSING. Let
US strive to merit it. God has given to our
keeping this our child; let us labor 10 rear and
educate her. She is weak and HELPLESS now
and 1t Is our duty to cherish her. Hereafter
she may repay us with interest. Only promise
me- my husband, that you will no more visit
the tipping places, and you know not how
happy shall be.
Tou know not what you ask. my wife said
Mr.. LaVerne, ~sorrowfully. How often have
made that promise and broken it! | am
AFRAID to promise. | cannot rely upon nv own
strength: But [ will try once more. will
see II L cannot obtain some employment
something that Will at least obtain food for you
Mrs; Laverne pressed her lips to his, and
ntt1e MARION threw her arms around his neck
and the tears of all three were MINGLED to,
gether. "
With a heart trembling with hopes and fears,
MIS-; Laverne began to prepare The evening
meal. Mr.. Laverne could no, hear IN ast re
what provisions she had, but he wstcbed -
see. Alas after doing her best. she conld
only produce a little corn bread and soma fr;ad
meat, with a cup of coffee without sugar F.cb
was anxious to see the others eat, but none ATE
too much. After supper was over. Mrs. Ia
verne produced a candle, lighted it, and bropob,
her husband a book. He read and conyersed
TIL bed time, while the anxious heart Of his
oeyolea wife thrilled with a strange m~ingling
OF doubts and hopes, joys and fears.
Inc next morning Mr.. Laverne went forth
70 seek employment. He tried to procure 4
c~leTkshlp In some store; but no one had conf
dence IN him, and all put him off with some
nlmsy excuse. In vain he promised 10 be sober
and steady, in vain he even abased himself to
qecIaie Inc suffering condition Of his family
In vain ne sought employment Of any kind
no one wanted his services. How conld bo
bear to return home and tell his tale of djsaD.
Pointment? He knew his wife and child were
snfferIng-aye, suffering even for food in this
land OF Plenty-and it wrung his heart to think
that he could give them no relief. Debased
nP2OitQh g h0 mos L. -..J