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

DHIuEo Aicf iiho dtt dCOuSihS ou5Oil WAtOh
she offered the wine-cup to Harry's lips.
'Mary," said he with a smile, as he'
waved It from him, 81 shall never again
quaf that dangerous beverage. Help me
to be firm in my determination"
The thoughlless giEl vet her lips in
the sparkling foam, and again prottered
tito him. Could he refuse it then! The
tempter stood before him, in thefoTm Of
her he loved. He yielded, he fell.
Where was that god-like purpose, earns
est Of glorious fruition! Quenched in
the foaming nectar.
Oh she would lay down her life to
recall that hour, but, "too late, too late"
rung like death-knell in her ear. Des-
pair fell like a great shadow on her
spirit. Alone in the darkness, with her
conscience and her God, she plead for
forgiveness and for strength. Vita the
morning light came soothing words from
Edith, Owen in the eleventh hour there
lis hope," and a hope, faint and feeble,
like the glimmer Of a lamp to the ship
wrecked mariner, sprung up, that she
might yet save him.
With her whole soul she wrought Tor
his salvation, and hope would rise and
rise again, on buoyant, silver wings, 10
fall into utter darkness. Again and again
did she promise to risk all in his keep
ing, if, after few months probation, ne
still remained in abstinence; and as often
would that cherished promise be una
vailing, to keep him from the tolls OF sin.
Once more he sought her forgiveness,
and gained it, he knew for the last time;
and valiantly he fought with his insatia-
Bile appetite. Eight months passed-ihe
goal was almost won. Their sun OF life
frightened, and shed warm glow over
their hopeful future. Castles, with gold
en- turrets, cleaned in their imaginations.
Glorious visions danced gaily before
them. A thousand plans were discuss
ed, that seemed almost accomplished.
Must that radiant sun go down in dark
ness! the glittering castle sink in clouds?
those glorious visions pale in despair?,
One evening Mary sat listening eager
ly for the welcome sound of bis foot
step, her fancy wreathing for futurity
chaplet OF brilliant gems, when bark it
is his step, but-O, God! it talters, it
wavers Save, Oh! save ne, from this
hour cried Mary, with ashy lip and
clasped hands,
He entered, and with hnnatuai hilarity
commenced bantering her on her forlorn
appearance. She stood for a moment,
bereft of utterance, then with wild and
frantic energy, exclaimed
SOh! Harry, It's past! my dream of
happiness dead, dead! The hope that |
have dared TO cherish in my heart has
receiled, like a venomous serpent, and
poisoned its life springs Earth has no
smile for me, alas nor Heaven. Leave
me, Oh! leave meW
He stood gazing into her face with a
vacant stare, as if not comprehending her
vehement words, and then his awful situ-
alton came rushing upon him with the
force of a thunderbolt Overcome with
wine, passion and grief, he caught her
hand in his iron grasp, and showered on
her head the most dreadful reproaChes.
He placed his promise of happiness, in
time and eternity, in the scale against
her cruel temptation. He cast the wreck
of all his prospects, his principles, his
love, on her hands, and left forever, with
a curse on his lips.
He left his native State and became a
wanderer. Little did she hear of him,
but tina: little was ever the same, onward
and downward, till at last she lost all
trace Of his existence.
Had life one gIeam for her? Not one.
She cared not to live, she dared not to
die; but the tide of misery surged on
and on, and onveloped her in the cold,
dark waves of despair. Years passed,
and she moved on, her eye robbed Of its
light, her step of its elasticity, aimless,
without Joy, unable 10 catch one glance
Of the white-winged dove OF Peace;
when the wailing of thousands in the
land reused her from her lethargy; a
cry to "come over and help III" a cry
for assistance in the battle against the
demon alcohol. @
Then her heart beat with new life, and
she vowed herself a champion to fight
with the Philistine. Her whole soul was
arrayed in this battle of the Lords, and
l. Il sasa