The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-03-25

father, guide, and counsellor to his
people.
Near that was vnother; the proud,
bright face of a young man, with thouht-
ful, studcnt-like expression; the older i'm
age Of the sleeping bahe-the husband,
and the father.
These two pictures, as the little one call
ed them, were all of ornament the cottage
could boast; but there needed little of
that within, for nature had literally bes-
towed her choicest treasures all around
this beautiful spot, and the valley m which
stood the lowly dwelling was almost pa
radise.
But here, rs in heaven once, dwelt Sa-
tan the req house to the right, with its
swinging sign, and entertainment for
man and beast" was a tavern; blot by
the way side ard it seemed strange how
innocent flowers could flourish within
sight and smell of the loathsome poison,
that was bringing utter ruin upon so ma
ny devoted hearts.
Hero was the place where young
Alden had learned to be drunk
ard; here he was leader of the revcl
chief in the baohanal feast; his talents
formed him for command, his passions
made him slave. His career had been
rapidly downward, and terrible fate
seemed impending over him.
The clock struck, four; Emma arose
from her seat, lighted the few pine sticks
that were carefully gathered underneath
the kettle and rs the blaze leaped mel-i-
ly upward, and the singing steam mingled
with the white smoke wrcaths, she drew
out the tnnlc from the corner covered it
with neat cloth, and put on the few lit
tie supper things, ready for her husband
when he should return.
kncCling upon the hearth to arrange
the meal cake, she felt slight pull at her
dress, and looking round, there stood lit
tie Garry, with both chubby hands rubbing
her blue eyes, and half laughing as she
enjoyed her mothers surprise.
Garry got up still, to tighten mother"
liSped the sweet creature, ,fiinging her snowy
arms around her mothers neck, and as
Emma pressed her closer and more close
" To her bosom, she shuddcrcd as she
thought of her PRAYER; and n horror flash
cd through her soul at the idea that death
could chill the little heart beating so soft
lv against her own and again she breath
cd yearningly, "not death, oh not death
my Father"
Released from her mothers embrace,
the little thing went dancing around the
table, watching delightedly with her hun
| CRY eyes. the preparations for tca. Pre-
sently she went to the door and stood
there gazing at some distant object The
west was directly opposite, and the setting
sun, like n globe of fire, Redeemed all the
clouds with an intense glory, so brilliant
that the eye could not look thereon, but
its milder lustrc softencd by the atmos-
phcrc came glowing down, and clothed
hill and valley with almost immortal beau
tv. And then it rested upon the young
chIlds heal till her golden locks shonc,
and she seemed to stand in halo of white
light, like an angel ready to wing her
way to heaven.
Suddenly rocking her little body to and
fro, and clapping her hands, she cried out
"oh mama, see him papa is coming,and
he sees me; come quick, come quick, |
want to kiss you," she shouted, holding
out her arms towards him. "Comc dar-
ling father, want to kiss vou-whv how
funny he walks" and she laughed merri-
y at what she thought his attempts to
amuSc her.
"llere he is at the gate-oh. papa: I
want to kiss you :" and the drunkard bent
down as she attempted to spring into his
boSom-a demon yell-a wild, unearthly
agonislng shrek, and tLcn a stiflcd moan.
Poor babe ! the father she loved so well
had fallen upon her tender body, and there
she laid, crushed and disfgurcd.
Oh the agony Of the poor mother, as
she raised the mourning babe to her bo-
som, then with strained and fearless ewes
fled from the cottage, nor stopped till she
had gained the dwelling of former
school-mate, whose husband was phvsi-
clan. There they took the child from her
arms as she fell fainting to the floor, and
in her long trance she was spared the mis-
cry of its shricks, while the doctor set its
fractured limbs.
She revived to learn that her child was
injured beyond hope of recovery but
strange to say, it livcd-though henceforth
incurably deformed.
Weeks fled, days, months and years ;
the village had merged into town, the
town into city and in one of that city's
stateliest homes, marriage was to be con-
summated.
Emily Alden was the bride; a delicate
thoughtful-faccd girl, with eyes of tender,
spiritual beauty. And around her stood
her noble brothers, and sisters; but
though they were all happy, even gay,
there was in each young countenance, an
undefinablo expression Of sadness that
seemed strangely to contrast with the we'd
ding scene.
And soon they all moved towards
couch little aside from the centre of the
apartment where pale, shadowy figure
reposed. The expression on her wan fea-