Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-04-28
Original 5turq.
Written for the Spirit of the Age-Raleigh.l
HORACE A NE,
OR THE WIFE'S TRIALS.
By FRAME /. WILSON,
Author Of " Blood on the Doorsteps, dc.
~(coEcLrDED.)
CHAPTER "


and feverish sleep, and his poor wife watch
ing beside him. About noon he awoke and
with glazing eyes looked around him. Mrs.
Laverne b~ento him and called him by
name, but it was some moments before he
could sufficiently recover from the stupefy-
ing effects of his debauch and the anodynes
administered by the physician, to recognize
her. Gradually, however, the clouds lifted
from his mind and reason resumed her
throne Blu: his physical strength was al
most exhausted. The wild rawlings Of the
morning had subsidized, and he had sunk in
to the opposite extreme. In proportion as
the vital energies had been raised above the
proper standard, so had they now sunk be-
low it. But as his eyes rested on his wife
they bore the old expression Of affection, the
beam of tender endearmcnt, that used to
light them. It was a JOY to the bleeding
heart Of Mrs. Laverne, and lifted a heavy
load from her soul.
Where am | ? what has happened I! he
asked in a faint voice but memory was re-
turning, heavy laden with sorrow and con-
triton, and slowly the events Of the prece-
ding night began to unfold themselves, cor
fusedly and indistinctlv, to his mind. The
he 'etrneu Away and igiT'oanod in agony.
Little Marion stood, trembling and afraid
to speak, beside the bed. With what bit
ter anguish would it have filed the fathers
soul to have seen her then and read in her
heart -thn feelings OF her
oh! have dreamed a horrible dream
SAID Mr.. Laverne family, again lifting his
eyes to those Of his wife. No, no. he con-
unusd earnestly, it is not a dream would
to God it were y
Let it pass as a DREAM said Mrs. Laverne
tendcrly, and resolve now never to drink
any more
OH! have made that resolve many times
saiq ne bitterly, and as often rs l have made
II l nave broken it-temptation has been
100 strong for me. I am afraid to promise.
but with the help Of God, l hope to be here,
after able to resist the tempter.'
ia, do you want to sec your little Ma
non z said the little girl timidly, as she adj,
vanced and laid her hand on his.
God bless you, my child ? said her faith
en- and tears gathered in his eyes, and his
emotions chokcd further utterance.
Mrs. Laverne saw the excited state of his
leeilngs and prudently withdrew the little
glrl, advising him again to try and sleep. and
soothing him with words of tenderness, sucb
only as the most devoted love of woman's
heart car utter.
Late in the afternoon the physician again
called, made some further prescription, and
declared him out Of danger and then left
lie had had a refreshing sleep ofsome hours
duration, and after partaking Of some food.
was much strengthened.
We enter not into the privacy of family
conversations, but Mr.. Laverne and his wife
talked long together that night, and tears
were she'd by both, and he promised to try
to abstain from the Intoxicating cup.
Alas the demon of ardent spirits is a
Willy and a potent one. Half way resistance
never yet overcome him. He yields to none
but the very %stoutest, most determined op-
position and even then it is necessary to be
forever watchful, to fortify every pass, to
guard every avenue, to resist every encroach-
ment with promptness and 6rmness. He
remembers his countless conquests in the
past, the millions Of his subjects at the pres
ent tire, and tries with unwearying assidyi-
ty every pass and every avenue.
How few can stand singly and alone and
successfully combat him I! And shall men i.
be termed weak and pusillanimous for dis
trusting their own unaided invidual strength
and seeking security in Association? Shall
they be branded as slaves and towards be-
cause they seek strength in union Shall
Ignorance and prejudice impute to- them base
motives, and accuse them of conspiring A.
galnst civil and religious liberty? Is true liz.
erty SO connected with the interests o fdram
dealers and dram drinkers as to oc worthless
when separated from them! But let the
boaStful champions Of rum rail on a; let them
mock and scott and speak big words to their
hearts content. Let every Son Of Temper
ance turn to his own conscience and smile
At the puny rawlings of all w~hiskevdom, sat
ished that his is a noble cause.-The cause
OF all mankind Let him look upon his
badge, and remember that it adorns him
more than costly robe or highly diadenf.'-I
But the Order Of the Sons of Temperance
was unknown at the date our story opens.
else might the chapters that follow never
been written. Horace Laverne might have
toundin association the strength he needed,
and coveted, but did not possess.
CHAPTER VI.
Fine passed on, and Horace Laverne was
restored to health again. Weeks flew and
he visited not the underground hell of the
respectable hotel, nor tasted stronr drink of