The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-10-26

!" MS newborn resolution, for he had
made firm resolve in his mind, as he
wcnded his way to the store, not to touch
the wine cup again /; then in two or three
months, or after his friends had seen that
he had firmness of character sufficient TO
restrain himself, he woIid join the Socie-
ty, but not till then. thus was the voice
OF the terpter listened to, calling all the
false pr'do in the nature ofman to his aid,
that he might wreck, eventually, and bring
to ruin the nobcst work of God.
1t Is useless TO follow the downfall of
man, or mark his course from virtue to
vice, i'll some cases the descent is rapid
but generally it is almost by mpercepta-
be degrees. The first step has been
made from the top Of the hill, every step
but accelcratcs his motion, and ere lie be-
comes conscious this danger, that motion
has increased beyond his power Of stop.
ping. How seldom does man stop half
way in his career of vice never, till the
bottom OF the hill is reached, will he at
te,upt to look back, or strive to ascend to
the point from which he had fallen.
Eight years had flown away since the
commencement Of our narrative, and Hen
ly was discharged from the firm that he
had been employed in from u boy. lie
had staggered the streets, and shame was
gone. lie considered himself an Injured
man, and flung back in defiance, all words
OF warning and remonstrancc from the few
friends hehad left. Debts accumulated
sunshine friends deserted--aud Hcnlv.
the once happy and respected man, was n
common drunkard. Fortunately, they
had but two children, the yoangcst a fair
haired girl of but three summers. The
wretched mother saw nothing before her
but hopeless misery. Henly would not
ask for employment, for fear lie might be
again refused, and the man who could
be seen nightly in the lowest haunts
where the stimulating poison could be OBJ
tanned, talked of his pride, and a deter
minat'on not TO stoop to solicit employ
tnent. Sometimes the better feelings of
Mr.. Henlys nature were aroused-,hen
but for that false pride, which so often ur-
%S %%Soula aR9waJaag in t9s 9 c9grs @ Of vice, he
friend, Observation-Disclosures his weak
ness and irresoution, and with his aid try
to regain the confidence Of his early asso-
ciates.
His resolutions were of too short du.
ration to be even put into effect and IL
nally, believing he could be better if away,
he sold the little that was left, and with
his accomplishing wife and two children,
he left his native city, for the busting and
busy metropolis of our Southern world.
A wretched hovel in the outskirts of the
city,soon became the home Of Louisa Hen
ly and her children-matters became
worse AMI worse-Mr. Henly soon gave
up, as difficulties began to increase. Mrs.
Henly being AN utter stranger, knew not
where to apply for work-Iay after day
the little money they had was rapidly de-
crcasing. Whole days, and sometimes
half the nights were spent in the low
haunts Of that noted city; every noble and
manly feeling in the breast of lIenly seem
ed dead--he was desperate. The look OF
wretehedness, but uncomplaining agony on
the face Of his wife, the wasted and mea-
gre forms Of his once beautiful and Joyous
children were unhecded-he was despe.
rate. Their scanty store Of furniture was
pawned, and even the most Of that found
its way to the retailer Of the scourge OF
our land. ...
Henly had left his home with the last
remaining article, except the scanty clothes
wrapped around them he promised to
buy food-not q crust was in the hoyel,
but the night wore on-he came not -
then the day went slowly by, Tor time flies
rapid only with the gay aud light of heart.
The piteous and plaintive appeal Of her
boy and girl for bread fell on her car like
the knel Of the doomed.
The shades Of night had began to wrap
81! nature in It's gloom-still Henly came
not. For near two hours she had sat like
one parylized. Her children had crouch
ed down on little straw, and wept them
selves to sleep. Must they starve must
she again hear their appeals for bread p
The thought was madness. She sprang
to her feet-vhile they slept she would
bcg-yes beg /! She could not SOC ler
children perish with hunger---their father
had left them TO stsrye. Who can tell the
agony Of that moment who that has not
known or seen il, can tell the utter wretch
edness and misery endured by the wife Of
the drunkard. Yes, that father had left
them TO starYe--that father, who before
he had given himself up to the demon o
intemperance, would have sacrificed hi:
life for the little beings who were in real
ity starving; that he might indulge hi,
insatia.e appetite.
With bound Mrs- Henly sprang tc
the door. II there was heart in the city
alive TO the voice of suffering, she would
be heard Bread she must have, no mat
, ter how iowly she suplicated for the scan
5 ty pittance ofcharity.
AS she opened the door, Henly reachec
: IL. He vas sober, for be had not anothe
! cent left TO purchase drop Of the liquic
|, FIRE. There was = haggard look on hi
, iaco with returning reason he remember
cd that he had left home the night be