The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-03-29

his route he again drank of his enemy-rum.
Thoughts of his betrothed-of his future pros
poets, would occasionally, like sunbeams, dart
across his mind, then all would be dark. Still
he drank, and as he drew near the home OF
her whom he loved, his steps were staggering,
and his head reeling from the effects of the
poison He had been tempted, and relying
upon his own strength, rather than the grace
of God, had fallen. The first false step was
taken, and hope was shrouded in the darkness
of despair.
CHAPTER II.
Carrie Church loved Edward Howard-yea,
loved him with all the strength OF woman's
nature She viewed him only through the
medium of love, and all appeared bright
IT'S true he had one fault, still her faith ab-
solved it. But her stern old father regarded it
as fault which was to him barrier not to
be removed. Young Howard loved his glass,
and when the father of the girl he cherished,
reasoned with him on the folly Of his course,
he would treat it lightly, and in tone of care
lessness pass it by.
Edward" said old Mr.. Church "my child
shall never wed man WHO INDUCES in intox-
icating drinks. 1t is useless to argue the mat
ter; refrain from your enemy and my daughter
shall be yours"
Loving Carrie devotedly, he pledged him.
self to abstain from rum, and going to work
for old Mr. Brian, he had saved up sufficient
to buy a small farm. The reports of his alter
ed conduct were time after time told to the
loving girl and the hopeful old man. The time
of his probation wanted but day of closing
when he started from the house his employ
er. Carries heart was beating high with joy
full auticipations, and with a trusting soul she
lc ked for the return of her lover.
The day of his expected return came and
the bright sun impaired cheertulnesS to all;
but night had been ushered in, and yet he
came not. The second day dawned, and still
the confding girl and the aged man were
alone. Tears filled the breast of the latter,
but with all woman's true devotion, the form
er still hoped on-but it was almost hoping
against hope-the old mans thoughts were Of
the lost-for he had heard that Edward was
a drunkard. A week passed by and still he
came not. A hopeless grief now bowed Car
rie beneath its heavy cloud. Broken.hearted
she no longer looked for her lover.
One night as she was sitting engaged in
deep thought, and now and then would cast 4
glance at her sorrowing father, low knocking
was heard at the door, while at the same time
the pitiful whine of dog sounded in the air.
In moment she sprang upon her feet and
opened the door; but she uttered wild and
fearful shrek and fell fainting in her fathers
arms.
AS the old man gazed upon the object which
had so alarmed his daughter, he was astound.
ed at what he beheld There stood Edward,
with shoeless feet and no clothing but a pair
of old trowsers aud thin shirt. His eyes
were dull and hassard, while his lips present.
cd q fearful appearance.
"Take him away, father" cried the excited
girl, che is not my Edward mo, no. My Ed
ward is dead Take him away; this is some
fend which has come to mock me-" and Civ
ing an awful cry, she fell prostrated on the
hoor-reason hod fed-she acas mud.
Sunken, degraded, as rum had made him,
vet his heart was touched at the agony of the
girl Throwing up his arms to heaven, lie
shoutcd-"l am Il murderer, a murderer! Do
YOU hear? murderer" And calling his dog,
he departed.
Two days after Edward Howard might
have been seen staggering up to the tavern
where his first ruin was effected, and supplicat-
ing for glass of rum. The bar-keeper laugh.
ed aud turned away,
''Hillo, Ned" cried out his former compan-
ions, "cleared out, eh?"
With an aching head and crazed brain the
poor wretch wandered through the neighbor
hood. Often would his voice be heard in the
hour of midnight. ala, ha; | am a murderer! !!
| killed her; thati not my Edward-no, no,
a fend" lie too was maniac. The vivid,
but cold, serpent like CLEAN of his eyes could
not be mistaken. Sometimes at midnight lie
would be heard fleeing by the farm houses as
if for life; at other times loud shouts and cries
would issue from the woods as if from one in
great agony, and at others he would mutter
to himself by hours. He disappeared at last
But one day, as the sun went down, It's beams
fell upon the pale face of a corpse.
1t was found lying at the foot of a tree, and
rs strangers bore him to his last resting place,
no eye let fall a tear no breast heaved sigh
no marble marks the spot where he sleeps !;
but there, unwept, unhonorcd and uncarcd for,
rests the body of the victim of Iutcmperance.
Young reader, take heed lest you fall into
temptation, and pray that God may give you
strength to resist the snares Of the spoiler.
May A GENTLEMAN WEAR a FRocK- CoAr
AT AN EVENING PARTY 1.-The New-York
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