The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-12-17

her nothing but might be constructed more
strongly against him than her positive testl-
mony.
Although she tried every means Of evasion,
yet she was too conscientious to keep back the
truth. Her evidence was conclusive beyond
doubt; aud however much anxiety had hith-
ertO felt to gain ''my first case | was now
willing to lose it for the sake OF Nveugng the
outrage upon the fair sufferer before me.
When we rose up TO depart, she requested
me to remain behind short time. / resumed
my seat near her head, and she began:
You are my husband slaWyer?'
81 am
"And can you save him?''
81 think not, madam"
'Ile was drunk, sir, and did not know what
he was doing"
1.-The law declares that, instead of being an
excuse for crime, drunkenness is rather an ag-
gravation. But why are you so anxious tOr
re to save him."
"ITe is my husband, my only friend on
earthp"
80 much the more outrageous his crnety. "
"No, he has no friend now but his poor dy-
ing wife!"
Yielding to her grief, she wept as only wo-
man cad weep who feels that the last thread
of hope is severed. Her poor children nes-
tied closer to her, and joined their tears with
hers.
1t was a group that Raphael might have Gu
vied-that stricken mother in the graceful
abandon of hopeless grief, weeping with
those lovely babes, while with her remaining
arm (the other had been amputated) she clung
to them as the last sOiace of earth.
My dear madam" said l, SO affected by
the scene that | hardly knew what was say
lag, is there anything can do for your
Yes, ii you will"
81 promise yOn."
'Wlll you swear lt3'
"As God is my Judge, swear to aid you by
every meaEs short Of crime"
will you try to your utmost to save my
husbandi"
81 swear it."
Should he be conVicted" and she shud-
dered at the bare mention of twill you en-.
deavor as soon as we are both goue, for fee
that aly days are numbered, and his consttu.
tion, already broken down by intemperance
cannot long endure the damp walls OF peni-
tentiary'-again she shu6dered as one rack
ed by mortal agony, will you, say, try and
effect reconciliation between my poor child
ren and their grandfather"
IF nv life il spared will do my best"
Iii you will open that drawer" said she
pointing to an old fashioned Light stand you
will find a scaled package, without any d.
ection. Take it home with you and read it;
preserve II as secret, and when l am gone,
restOreit to my children.
did az she directed, found the package and
bidding her ad;He, returned home.
That night / retired early to my room 70
read this mysterious manuscript. 1t has now
passed from my possession; but | have read
It SO often, that | eau give the substance, and
much Of it, the very words; suppressing only
the names. 1t was dated some three months
prior, and evidently under strong PRESENT.
mentof approaching dissolution. Twas near
ly as follows:
MY DEAR CHTLDREY:-Ere this falls into
your hands you will be without a mother.
fear that you will soon be deprived Of both
your parents, but, trusting when We ere no
more, that your grandfather may atone by his
kindness to yOu for his cruelty to your parents.
] leave this manuscript as my own legacy hop
ing in God that you may search him out and
be restored to your rishtful possession. Of
my own parents know but little save shat |
have learned since Sseominga woman.
My father was an Irish noblemau who
traced is ancestors for fifty generations. ]
was the only child and the last OF the race.
When six years old my father was detected
in a conspiracy, and compelled to fly his cOun-
try. lie was never heard OF more. His property
was confiscated, and my Door mother driven
away, homeless and friendless. A poor widow
whom she had often befriended, took rs to her
house and provided for US the best she could.
But my mother rapidly sunk under her weight
Of grief and before | was eight years old
was mOtherless. Lord C. who had been
a friend Of my father, then received me iuto
his castle and reared me among the servants.
Here | was very lonely. Neglected by the
family and treated with harshness by the
/ LII Ia 81. 1 -
This was James G-,the eldest son Of the
lord. James was noble, generous boy
twelve years old, and to him ! always went
for consolation in all my childish gfieis. Ht
learned me to read and write, taught me t
ride his pony, and built little play houses fol
Inc in the park.
"Bnt pass over the first five years of my
residence at the castle, to the time when wa
in my fourteenth and James in his seven
teenth year. He was then to 90 to England
to enter College. When the coach drove t.
the door which was to take him, ran out t.
bid him good. bye. ] could not help crying
and when he came to shake hands with me
could not speak to him. He took both my
hands in hls and spoke kindly to me. He tolC
me not 10 cry, but be a good girl and learn al
could and he wonld soon be back again.
Just then Lord G. came up and ordered
the housekeeper to take that blubberng huZ
2y into the house" She tore me away iron
him, and | saw him no more for three years
Long days and sleepless nights followed thi
separation. But | soon remembered his las
words to me- and being allowed access to til,
library, occupied all my spare time in striving
to improve my education.
cat last James returned. | need not de
scribe our meeting. Enough to say, he still
loved me- Him always lGVed; and i'll spit
of his fathers threats and mothers tears, ii
less than year we we're married. In rag
his father drove us from the castle. James hI
disowned and disDherite1. But by the as
sistance Of his maiden aunt we were enabled
to come to America and settle in Iowa. Tbt
country was new and unhealthy. Sickness
and poverty soon followed, and like many al
crring son, your father soughtto drown hi,
troubles with the intoxicating draught.
thought my heart would break, the first tint
/ ever saw him intoxicated. But he was al
ways so kind, and loved him so deVotedly
that had not the heart 10 ehide him. Thi:
was the great error Of nay life; aud o, my
daughters, sEOgld you live to have husbands