Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1853-11-10
NJ | s G Z L i IA N "
From the Mass. Life Boat.
TIE TEMP T4TI0 III.
ny MAY MEADOWS.

i
s. 1'1 K. .'. saeP hs s VII . sass i red
| ProceTbs.
Mary he slaudesh upon a'fearfuli kriak,
said Edith Warner, as sho clasped.iA love
the hand ef her friend Il
i cannot calmly see him pursue. the Down
ward path, without one word from Yen to
cheek him in his career
why. Edith, how serious you are laid
Mary Ellis, with light laugh What ef-
feet wsull all can say have upoh him :
and besides, ! spprehcna no danger in his
taking little generous vine
lilo who raises the wine cup to his Fps
once said Edith, selemnly, is in dsbger-
However cautiously be treads that may
path, he will find singing serpent amid
the flowers. Could yeu 6earto see linn 70
ing theway.of the inebriate, and at last iw
ing in the drunkard's loatbseme graf{ Oh,
Mari. think seriously Of these things before
III coul4 SEQ the peril you fear, Edith,
confess il would give me great stfreW
but, no. said Mary, with animation. be will
never dehase his Noble intslleet in inebriety.
He is too generous to crush tie high hopes
of his friends too ambitious TO trsDple all
his bright prospects in the dust TOO good
she continued, blusbing, TO destroy the
happiness Of those that love him
Are they only the weak, the unanlstious,
the unloved' said Edith, who are laid lew
By the fell destroyer Alcohol All, no ;ef-
ten, oh, how eften, the young, the lovely, The
coed, fall recklcssly int the fatal snares,--
.Look at the foulest blot on eur village;--
Life to him, was once all suashinoi lily
father knew him in his youth,tas q man! IF
great promises esteemed ard beloved bet
did his briehtlhepes save him from the absss
in which he LEST Oh, Mary, delay not,-:-
Throw all your good influence around Has-
ry fer, alas fear you a. not realize how
heedlessly 10 is fastening bis own aeytrqse-
ton .
I will ponder what you say, said MARI,
thoughtfully, as she arose to accompany her
friend TO the door, Il
It was a resplendent evening, and she tiFo
friends Seated themselves beneath thu treas,
to enjoy fer q few moments its hcauties.!!--
But few words passed their lips, for the
remarks Of Edith had made adeep!inp pres
sisn on the heart Of Mary they had left .
weigh. there not easily removed aud Edith
had no wish 10 disturb tho thoushtf4l meed,
that might result in her own aud Harfyr
gssd. i
Well known, familiar voices came waited
on the still nights air to their ears in ear
nest conversation, As tive young meu passed
along the street I
Clinton, lido realize my situation Il
stands with all its attendant haTrors fall be-
fore, me. With what fearful weight i
presses On my soul But am pSWsrlsss
fascinated, spell be1nd, irrexocably d tbe
wiles Of the teDpter Oh, God that
shOuid evsss - sLs-- ci;.s@s. ~. the nrsS-
tempted, knew not the tortureef this long
ing. this burning. Unsuitable thirst, which
nothing will appease but the accufscd wines
Gsd graft yeu may never know Yoa say
be man. shake Of, these horrid fetters.-s-
| Clinton, cannet; i have not the power.
am as surely, As fatally draws, IS BY the
hateful rattlssnaks; yes. to an ebjsct tuice
as hateful, twice as fearful u my seul-
Harry, said Cliatsn, with deep euotiee
i pity YOU, God knows hsv muck but Do
not. az net despair By all your hopes q
line and eternity. de act say you eAanot RI
/ lsa,s yourself from these hellish chsins- Il
Fer her sake. rouse yourself, for Mary
,,te Who loves yen better than life
.Far,her sake.s said Harry, bitterly, a. ht
s,ruck his clsxchea hands together / Mhss
1 might l be but fer her II yon, Mary Aai
I uttered but enc word to aid me y my goes
resslvs-but no il was yen who placed will
ysur own hands, the fatal glass q ny lips
| Il was ysur finger that poilted cut tb'
snsoth, deeeitful way yoa-O, Gsd ! wis
am I saying he exclaimed, sshenently
Cliaton, believe am mad 7