Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-02-03
The Husbands Present I;
STORY ron THE NEW YEAR.

1t was bitter cold night on the Oath of De-
cember. The snow lay deep upon the frozen
ground, and the bright moon, riding half way
up the bright heavens, lent crystalline lustre
to the scene, In the high road, short distance
from quiet, reposing village, stood the form of
q human being. His garments were Scant and
tattered, by far insufficient to keep out the
biting frost; his frame shook and trembled like
the ice-bound boughs of the weeping willow
that stood near him, and his face, as the moon
beams now danced upon it, exhibited all the
fearful footprints of the demon lntemperance
Poor, wretched, debased he loo&ed-and such
;n truth he was.
Before him, at the eLd of neatly fenced and
treised enclosure, stood a s!na!! cottage 1t
was elegant in lis simple neatnesS, and just such
an one as the humble lover of true comfort and
icy would seek for home. The tears rolled
down the boated cheeks of the poor inebriate,
as he gazed upon the cottage; and at length, as
he clasped his hands in agony, he murmured:
20, thou ford home of my happiest days, thou
lookest like a heaven Of the past. Beneath
thy roof was married TO the idol of my soul,
and within thy walls God gave me two blessed
children. Then peace and plenty were mine
and love and joy. My wife-God bless her
, gentle soul-was happy then; and nay children
played in gleesome pleasure. Gladness smiled
upon us then, and every hour was a season of
lbliss. But ! lost thee, as the fool loseth his
own salvation! Six years have passed since
the demon took 10 my heart drove us from
your sheltering roof. And those six years =
o, what misery, what agony, what sorrows, and
what degradation have they brought TO me and
my poor family Home, health, wealth, peace,
Joy, and friends are gone-all gone! ., thou
fatal cup-no will not blame hee-it was /
I who did it, Year after year tampered with
thy deadly sting when | knew that destruction
lurked in thy smiles. But, but and the poor
man raised his eyes TO heaven as he spoke, there
is room on earth for another man, and WW be
that mani
Within the only apartment Of a,miscrabe and
almost broken.down hovel, sat woman and
two children, boy and girG The cold wind
found lis entrance through hnndred Grevices as
Its biting gusts swept through the room, the
mother and her children Grouched nearer TO the
few embers that still mouldered upon the hearth.
The only furniture were four poor stools, a
Tickety table, and scantily covered bed; while
I'm one corner, nearest to the ilre place was a
heap of straw and tattered blankets, which
served as a resting place for the brother and sis
ter, Part Of @ tailow candle was burning upon
Ehe table, and by its dim light one might have
Eeen that wretched mothers countenance; it was
male and wan and wet with tears. The faces of
her children were both buried in her lap, and
1hSy seemed TO sleep peacefully under her pray
'erful guardianship.
At length the sound of footsteps upon the
snow crust struck upon the mothers ear, and
hastily areusing her children, she hurried them
10 their lowly couch, and hardly had they got
beneath the thin blankets, when the door was
opened and the man whom we have already
seen gazing on the pretty cottage, entered the
place. With trembling, fearful look, the wife
gazsd into her husbands face, and seemed ready
TO crouch back from his approach, when tear
drop upon his cheek caught her eye. Could ii
be, thought she, that that pearly drop was in
truth tear? No. perhaps a snow flake had
fallen there and melted.
Once or twice, Thomas wilkins was on the
point OF speaking some words to his wife, but
at length ne turned away, and silently undressed
himself; and soon after his wearied limbs bad
1ouched the bed he was asleep.
Long and earnestly did Mrs. wilkins gaze
upon the features of her husband after he hac
fallen asleep. There was something strange II
his manner, something unaccountable. Surel!
he had not been drinking, for his countenanc,
had none of that vacant, wild demoniac lool
that usually rested there. His features wer
rather sad and thoughtful, than Otherwise; and
o, Heavens is it possible? smile played a
bout his mouth, and a sound, as of prayer, Is
sued from his lips while yet he sleptl
A iSint hope, lihe the misty Yapor Of approach
inQ morn, fitted before the heart broken wife
But she could not grasp it; she had no fOunda
tIoa for it, and with deep groan she felt tn