The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-09-10

the fell destroyer of domestic happiness, peace

the fell destroyer Of domestic happiness, peac'
aud virtue.
Henry would have spurned with indigna.
tion the thought that he could ever become in.
temperate; but he knew not how, frequently
his excited spirits were producted by the un.
natural stimulus on which he had already be.
come too dependent. Unsupported, stealthily
but, alas, too surely, even as the tiger springs
npon its prey, does intemperance seize it:
victim.
few shorts months passed on, and the
lovers stood at the altar aud solemnly plight
ed their faith. Every thing seemed to promise
merOus friends aud acquaintance hastened to
offer their rwarm congratulations.
The young couple were indeed most happy,
nearly year elapsed before even a shadow
crossed their path. And yet the dangerous
habit was daily gaining strength. A few
glasses of wine or moderate share of good
brandy, were now considered by Henry as
quite essential to his welfare. He "needed
the stimulus and could not attend to his bust
ness without it, Helen occasionally rallied
him upon taking what she considered some
what immoderate quantity, and threatened to
compel him to sign the pledge; but her remon-
strances were made in playfulness. As yet,
not doubt or fear had crossed her mind.
Time passed on, and now another tie bound
them still more closely together. A lovely
hearts with its looks Of love.
The duties Of a mother had somewhat alb
stracted Helen's attention from her hus-
band. Although he still possessed her most
devoted and earnest affection, even more, If
possible, than previous to the birth Of the
child, Ghe did not watch his every look and
action as she had done when there was no other
claimant to her love; and it was not until
long after others had perceived and lamented
his altered looks and manners, that her eyes
were opened to the fearful change.
"Are you going out this eveuing?" asked
Helen, with something Of disappointment in
her tone as her husband rose from the tea
table, aud took his hat and overcOat.
Henry hesited. 81 am sorry to leave You,
HelGn,' he said, "but to tell the truth, there
is to be a social party among the young men
with whom | was acquainted before our mar
riage, this evening, and they urged me SC
earnestly to attend, that knew not how to re-
fuse.
"You have been absent so much lately"
said Helen. 81 long to pass one quiet eve
ming with you: There are many things want
to talk about"
Henry blushed. Already he shrunk from
the thought Of a long private conversation
with his pure minded, and as he felt, already
injured wife; for in the closest and holiest OF
all tics, evil aud its baneful consequences can
not be borne by ono alone; the innocent must
suffer with the guilty.
Recovering his self possession, he presently
replied;
ness, Helen. devote little time to my own
pleasure"
''Tue," returned Helen, quickly. 81
would not willingly be selfish. Forget what
| have said, and 90 to your friends. No doubt
you need the recreation" ...
'Thauk you, dearest" said her husband;
Tomorrow eyening,I,,wil be at yourservice, "
and begging her not to wait his return, but to
retire at her usual hour, he kissed her cheek
and left the house.
There was an unusual depression in Helen s
spirits, for which she could not account. She
tried to occupy her thoughts with an interest
ing book, but found it impossible to fix her
attention, and soon threw it aside. She stole
softly to the crib, where her sleeping boy lay
in his innocent beauty, and bent over him to
listen to his gentle breathing, almost wishing
that he would wake and demand that care
which might drive away the feeling of loneli-
ness and desolatiOn which had crept over her,
but he slept on soundly and swectly.
Where spirits are united in the interiors Oi
the mind, which we may regard as their hea-
venly home, it is impossible for one to be led
astray by the temptations which constantly
beset our path, without the cognizance and suf-
fcring Of the other. The evil, which at this
day Obscures all spiritual things, may not be
| sufficiently raised to enable the sufferer tC
perceive the cause Of the mental disturbance
! but the effect is sensibly felt. Anxiety, de-
preston, and an underlined fear Of evil in oul
own minds, are often the result Of the errori
or misfortunes Of those with whom we are ii
intimate spiritual association.
To some it may appear strange that we car
speak Of spiritual union between one who ha
| yielded to the more fragrant evils Of our de
| PRAYED nature, and an innocent being, VIII
seems the personification Of goodness and pu
rity but thus it is.
| Good and evil cannot indeed be united, bu
| during our life in this world, there are few
whom we can class as wholly evil, and non
whom we are prepared to call without sin
Good and evil, truth aud falsity, are strangel,
blended together; andeven in the poor wretcl
who, in moment of infatuation, has raiset
the fatal cup to his lips, there may be fount
redeemng traits, which, when deeprepentane
and reformation have followed sin, NAV still
bring him into union with one, who, perbap
less tempted, has wandered less from the patI
OF virtue.
The weary hours wore on. Helen could no
compose her mind sufficiently TO retire to rest
and resolved to wait her husbands return
Midnight passed by; but this excited no sur
prise. 1t was not to be expected that he woul,
| leave his gay companions until q late hour
but when one o'clock arrived, and still he al,
not return, the heart Of the young wife grew
more and more sad, and a thousand danger
| which might have befallen her husband, wer,
conjured up before her; but, alas, her imagi
natien pictured not the real danger--far NOR
fearful than those which fancy presented.
Two o'clock struck, and Helen still sat mo
! tionless aud statue-like, in that state Of anx
iOus listeningwhich all Of US have more or les
4 experienced.
Another half hour and step was heard ap
preaching. She started up; it came nearel
and paused at their own door.
Itinust be Henry; but why did he not en-
terri Possibly he had forgotten to take tht
night key, aud hesitated about ringing fo
fear Of disturbing the family. Filled with thi
idea, Helen flew to the door and opened it
and her husband staggered into the entry al
most knocking her to the ground as he fel
against her.
i Nearly fainting from alarm, Helen leane,