Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-02-27

hooh' whenever a desire for liquor re-
turned upon him, he quenched it with a
coplous draught of water, and thus kent
himself as free from temptation as pos
slble. AT night he returned, when the
same troubled and uneasy silence peryaded
the little family at the supper-table. The
meal was scanty, for Mrs. Jarvis's inces-
SAINT labour could procure but a poor sup
ply OF food. After the children had been
put to bed, Mrs. Jarvis sat down, as usual.
to spend the evening, tired as she was and
much as her breast panied her, in sewing.
A deep sigh heaved involuntariy her bosom
as she did so. 1t caught the ear of her
husband, and smote upon his heart. He
knew that her health was feeble, and that
constant labor fatigued her excessively.
i wouldn't sew tonight Jane, he said.
You look tired. Rest for one evening"
Mrs. Jarvis neither looked up nor re-
plled. There was something in the tone
OF her husbands voice that stirred her
feelings ;--something that softened her
heart towards him. But she dared not
trust herself to speak, nor to let her eve
meet his. She did not wish to utter a
harsh nor repulsive word, nor was she
willing to speak kindly to him, for she did
not feel kiudly,-and kind words and af-
tected cheerfulness, she had already found.
but encouraged him in his evil wavs
And so she continued to ply her needle,
without appearing to regard his presence.
Her husband did not make another effort
TO induce her TO suspend her Iabour for
under existing circumstances, he was par
ticularly desirous Of not provoking her to
use towards him the language of rebuke
and censurc. After sitting silent, for, per-
haps half an hour, he rose from his chair,
and walked three or four times backwards
and forwards across the room, prepara-
tory to going out 10 seek coilee-house,
and there spend his evening, as his wife
supposed. But much to her surprise. he
returned to their chamber, III the adjoining
room. While still under the expectation
of seeing him return, his loud breathing
caught her quick ear. He was asleep
Catching up the light, as she rose sud-
denly to her feet, she passed with hasty
step, into the chamber lie had undres-
sed himself, was in bed, and sound asleep.
She held the candle close to his face; it
was calmcr than usual, and somewhat
paler. As she bent over him, his breath
came full in her face. 1t was not loaded
with the disgusting fumes that had so Oft
en- sckened her. Her heart beat quicker
the moisture dimmed her eye-her whole
frame trembIed. Then looking upwards,
she uttered single prayer for her husband,
and, gliding quietly from the room, sat
down by her little table, and again bent
over her work. Now she remembered
that he had said, with something unusual
in his tones-'I would not sew tonight,
Jane you look tired rest for one eve
ning'-and her heart was agitated with a
new hope; but that hope, like the dove
from the ark, found nothing upon which
to rest, and trembled back again into a
feeling of dependency.
On the next morning the trembling band
of Jarvis, as he lifted his saucer to his
lips at the breakfast-table, made his wife's
heart sink again in her bosom. She had
felt hope, almost uncOnciously. She re-
membered that at suPper-time his hand
was steady-noW II was unnerved. This
was conclusive to her mind, that, notwith-
standing his appearance, he had been
drinking. But few words passed during
the meal, for neither felt much inclined to
converse.
After breakfast, Jarvis returned to the
shop, and worked steadily until dinner
time, and then again until evening. As
on the night before, he did not go out, but
retired early to bed. And this was con-
tinued all the week. But the whole was
a mystery to his poor wife, who dared not
even to hope for any real change for the
better. On Saturday, towards night, he
laid by his work, put on his coat and hat,
and went into the front shop.
so you have really worked week,
sober man, John p Mr.. Lanktord said.
Indeed, | have. Since last Sunday
morning, no kind of intoxicating liquor
has passed my lips
How much have you earned this week,
John T"
Here is the foreman's account of my
work, sir. 1t comes TO twelve dollars
Still a fast workman. You will yet
recover yourself, and your family will
again be happy, if you persevere.'
%, sir, they shall be happy | 'rU
pcrsevcrc =
Another pause ensued, and then Jarvis
said, while the colour mounted to his
cheek
If you are willing, Mr.. Lankford, |
should like you to deduct only one-half Of
what owe you for those furs took from
YOU, from this week S wages. My family
are in want of good many things; and
am particularly desirous Of buying
barrel of flour tonight
Say nothing of that, John. Let 1t be
FORGOTTEN with your mast misdceds. Here