Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-10-18
Gkoitt giteraturt.
II NFVW OHtWVeFs Edtlg6uTyh JouThut. 2.
TIE DRUNKARD's BIB LIE.
BY MRs. s. Q. HALL.

MneFe II more money made IN the pup
lie line than in any other, unless it be pawn
brokihg,' said Martha Hownley to her broth
er; and do not see why you should feel
uncomfortable; you are sober man since
] have kept your house, never remember
seeing you beside yourself indeed know
that weeks pass without you touching beer,
much less wine or spirits, If you did not
sell them, anmebody else would. And rsre
you 60 leave thc Grapes t6-niorrow, i'll
might be taken by those who would not
have your scruples All the gentry say
your house Is the best conducted in the
parish.
Iwish really deserved thecompliment,'
interrupted Mathew, looking up from his
day-bOok. i ought not to content myself
with avoiding beer, wine, and spirits if
believe, as l do, that they are injurious
alike to the character and health Of man,
should, by every means in my power, lead
others to avoid them
But we must live, Mathew and your
good education would not keep you've
must live 2
Yes, Martha, we must live but not the
lives of vampires; and he turned rapidly
over the accounts, noting and comparing,
and seemingly absorbed in calculation.
Marthas eyes became enlarged by curios
ity--the small, low curiosity which has
nothing in common with the noble spirit
of inquiry. She believed her brother wise
in most things; but in her heart of hearts
she thought him foolish in worldly matters
Still, she was curious and yielding to what
is considered feminine infrmity, she said ::
fMathew, what is vampires? p
Mathew made no reply $50 Martha-who
had been brought up to the bar by her
uncle, while her brother was dreaming
over an unproductive farm--troubled as
usual about much serving and troubling
all within her sphere by worn. out and shriSS-
elled'up anxicties, as much as by the7ne-
cessary duties Of active Iife-lookef3a 3at Ma
thew as if speculating on his sanity
Could he be thinking Of giving up his bust
moss, because Of that which did not concern
him 2-but she would manage him. 1t
is strange how low and cunning persons do
often manage higher aud better natures
than thelrow
Martha,' he called at last in. a loud
voice, cannot afford to give longer credit
to Peter Croft.
= = .Tsthodgl. IS ,i.A.,-o one of your besG-crs-
toners he is an excellent workman his
wife has much to do as a clear-starcher /;
and am sure he expends every penny he
earns here such was Martha's answer.
And more replied Mathew more
Why last week the score was eight shillings
besides what he paid for
He's an honorable man Mathew per-
sisted Martha. 'It is not long since he
brought me six teaspoons and sugar-tongs
when refused him brandy (he will have
brandy) They must have belonged to his
wife, for they had not p. G. on them, but
E. something; forget what
Mathew waxed wroth. Have l no
told you,' he said-'have l not told yoV
that we must be content with the flesh ant
blood, without the bones and marrow @
these poor drunkards l am not pawu
broker to lend money upon mans ruiz
l sell, to be sure, what leads to it, but tho
is his fault, not mine
You said just now it ,OaS yours,' sal
his sister sulkily.
Is it devil or an angel that promp
your words, Martha 2 exclaimed Mathe
impatiently then leaning his pale, though
ful brow on his clasped' hands, he added
But, however much | sometimes try to g
rid of them, it must be for my good to Sc
facts as they are
Martha would talk she looked upon
last word as victory. He must hav
sold them whether or not, as he has dol
all his little household comforts, to pa
for what he has honestly drunk; and
might as we'll have them as any one els
My money paid for them, and in the cour
Of the evening went into your till. L
very hard if, with all my labor, can t tn
an honest penny in bargain sometime
without being child, as if were a baby
/ am sorely beset, murmured Mathe
closing the book with hasty violence 50
ly beset; the gain on one side, the sin
the other she goads me, and puts thil
in tho worst light: never was man so bes
he repeated helplessly; and he said tr
he was beset' by iRfrmity ofpurpose,
mean feeble, pitiful illustrator of so m;
good and glorious intentions.
1t is at once a blessed and a wonder
thing how the little gram of good st
will spring up and increase-if the
be at all productive, how it will fructi
A great stone may be placed right ovel
and yet the shoot will come forth-Sidew
perhaps, after long, noiseless stru
amid the weight of earth--a white, S
der thing, like bit of thread that falls {
the clipping scissors of needless maiC
creeps up, twists itself round the stor
little pale, meek thing, tending ap,OarC
becoming a delicate green in the wo
sunlight--strengthening in the morn
when birds are singing-at midday, v
man is toiling--at night, while mel
sleeping, until 70 pushes a1Oay the stone,
overshadows its inauspicious birthplace
strength and beauty
Yes where good seed has been s
there is always hope that, one day or o
it will, despite snares and pitfalls, de
scorn and bitterness, despite evil re
despite temptations, despite those weal
backslidings which give the wicked an
idle scoffers ground for rejoicing-s
or later it will fructify
All homage TO the good seed all
age to the good sower
And who sowed the good seed i