The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-11-25

ffiends in 4 far distant State. One even
ing, as twilight was stealing DER the
winter landscape, her friend, Frank Pat
ten, entered the room where she was
seated, and said, ''Cousin Mary, will you
60 out to night! There is to be a Tenn.
perance lecture, in St, James, delivered
by Mr.. -- well, | have for
gotten his name, but somebody, they say,
very eloquent"
Il shall be happy to hear him, ,pere-
piled Mary, as she rose and gazed from
the window, She was sad, tor 1t was
the anniversary of the two well remem-
bered parting, and her heart was full OF
the past. Tears stood in her eyes, as
she looked up to the stars that were fast
appearing in the dark armament; their
long rays came down and made those
tears part of their efulgence.
II had been raining, and the pure drops
had CONCEALED in a million gems of every
hue upon the trees, that swayed and
cracked in the light wind. Aoshower
of diamonds came rustling down at every
motion, and lay strewed on the snow
clad earth. Every post fence and wall
was tasseIled with briliiants, and even
the dark buildings Of the great city were
rooted with silver.
As they threaded their way to the en-
trance Of the church, Mary lifted prayer
Of thankfulness to the Author Of the
beautiful, that she was still able to wor-
ship him in his works. tal
When she entered il was nearly filled.
A food Of light danced and glittered, on
the walls, and threw long, grotesque
shadows among the dim arches, and
flashed back in rainbow hues from the
gorgeously stained windows. A hum
Of voices mingled with the musical tin
kle of the pendants, that trembled on the
great chandeliers, as foot after foot sped
up the long aisles.
Scarcely noticing the assemblage
around her, Mary seated herself, abb
sorbed in deep reverie of the past. A
few moments, and then the voices were
hushed and silence reigned The speak
er had risen.
His first words, clear and deep-toned,
fell with electrifying power, as he pro-
claimed himself devoted, heart and soul,
to the cause for which he labored. That
Uoice. Well might Mary Ellis gasp for
breath; well might cheek, Zip and brow
turn to the hue Of death. That voice
had last fallen in a curse upon her ear.
No one observed her agony. They were
spell. bound by the flood of eloquence
that rolled over them. One moment a
shout from thousand tongues rent the
ear, and floated away among the high
arches the next, the stiffness Of death
pervaded that vast assembly. Hour after
hour flew by, and they needed it not
Their gaze riveted on that speaking eye,
they drank in every word as delicious
draught, though to many, sharper than
two-edged sword.
He paused a moment, then recon-
menced in a low voice, whose mournful
cadence thrilled on every hearer.
''I feel it my painful duty, yet still
duty owe to this glorious cause and the
young, whose interests are very dear to
me, though it almost wrings the life
blood from my heart to relate to you
portion of my life; for" said he, in an
agitated voice, ~ was not once what
you now see me-" and then he told, in
fire-touched language, what we already
know.
OfMary, he spoke tenderly, Oh! how
tenderly, Of her loveliness, her virtues
"but she," said he, while tears sparkled
in his soul-lit eyes, as he looked on the
sad, sweet faces before him, "rny young
friends, raised the poisoned chalice to
my lips, and bid me taste; thoughtlessly,
little dreaming she was plunging dag.
ger in her own bosom, sowing seed that
would waste all the sweet flowers Of af.
lection. Oh! how she suffered. Too
late she sought to redeem her error; too
late too Ldtel She agonized to save me.
Life was to her no. more than the dying
zephyr, if, by its sacrifice, she should
snatch me from the abyss to which was
fast Fastening; but | trampIed on all
those sweet blossoms Of her love, and
because she refused to link her fate with
mine, foul wretch, 6end that ! was,
cursed her 10 her face. Oh! forgive
me-" said he, lifting his eyes to heaven;
III ..... -, co.e..,.Io ..,... -1fU