The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-01-27

fortune rather more than his fault. The
overtasked system of the hard-workine
and suffering mother could not endure
such an unusual occurrence, without
evincing the shock which a sudden tran
sition from despair to hope had caused
Her husband had hardly time to reach
her, ere she fell, fainting, to the floor
RestOratives were Immediately applied,
but the most powerful of all was the
husbands words, Lucy, dear Lucy,
haze signed the Pledge"
Thank God thank God :" were
the first exclamations of the now happy
wife. She had not need or desired
wealth to make her happy. Her hus-
bands restoration to the path of virtue
was enough, and the cup of her joy
seemed full. Husband and wife mingled
their tears together over the past, and
together now INDUCED in brighter hopes
for the future.
1t cannot be supposed that Mrs.
Athearn, young, handsome, rich, and
talented, could look upon all this un.
moved, for, however much of those
blessings she poss :ssed, she, too, had
need of Mrs. Elwood's consolation. Her
tears, and those of her hearted
housekeeper, attested their sincerity, as
they thus sympathized with the reunited
family. With the true delicacy of a
Christian woman, Mrs. Atbearu felt that
she and her attendants should remain
no longer, and they departed /; but all
along their homeward path, but one sub
ject rested on her mind, and that called
forth the frequent mental exclamations, !,
'' What God hath joined together in
toxicating liquors ought not to put
asunder 90
1t was almost midnight when they
arrived at their own residence, but as
Mrs. Athearn knew her husband seldom
inquired how she occupied her time in
his absence, and she could scarcely hope
either to find him at home, she did not
fear a ending for being abroad at such
a late hour.
Mrs. Athcarn noticed light in her
,hild's chamber, and wondering at the
circumstance, Immediately pro-
ceeded thither. The door was slightly
open. A low mumuring, as of the voice
Of prayer, reached her ears. How her
heart throbbed at such unwonted sound
and thrill Of unutterable JOY pervaded
her whole being as she softly pushed
open the door, and beheld her husband,
so long lost to virtue and duty, upon his
knees by the bedside of his child. The
young wife stood specchless He paus-
ed in his prayer, and bowed his head in
silence on the pillow of his infant daugh.
ter. His wife felt, though she could no,
see, that he was weeping, and tears
flowed down her own cheeks, but they
we're tears of joy. For season no
sound was heard in that chamber of
emotion, aud then that emotion became
uncomfortable, and Mrs. Athearn's sobs
her husband of her presence.
He advanced towards her.
"Mary," said he, I" we will be happy
once more. Ihave signed the pledge"
ooh, how thankful l am ~ exclaim-
ed Mrs. Athearn. ''I can now under
stand the feelings Of the poor woman |
have been visiting" added she, after a
short pause; cher husband signed the
Pledge tonight, and she was so happy,
but not happier than am, l think"
What was her name ?" inquired
Mr. Athearn.
Elwood," was the reply.
"Elwood! A tall, black whiskcred
nan, about thirty" m.I,
eyes"
"Why, he was the very man who
.ose, and related his experience first as
moderate drinker, and then as COM
non drunkard, in the temperance meet
ng which curiosity, or the hand of God,
ed me to attend this evening, as | was
IN my way to my club. He told 50
,ad story of his wife and children, and
pictured his wife's patience, and forbear-
lnce, and love for him, even In his
worst moments, that my heart was
ouched. l thought of my own gentle
wife. l knew that she was not suffer,
ny as his wife for the necessaries of
ifc. but you suffered in mind from my
Neglect and unwortniness. My gentle
Ilary, how / have caused you to
Iuffer I"
"say no more, Alfred all is forgiv- !
m But how did you know that the
,peaker was Elwoodi" +,
Why, after his narration OF his sad