The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-04-14

chided them for being uusecisble. Irving hss
put the wine untssted on the window-seas
which one Of the ladies' observing, enquiret
why their glasses we're not empty. Irving
lsughingly remarked that he had just diseov.
cred Miss Carson had consciert tious seruples
when one said, await till get another glass
and Kate and will drink with you"
The glass was brought, and the three drank
with great glee, twiting Emma on her puri.
tsnism. The conversation changed, and moth
ing further was said on the subject that night.
Enough hsd been said TO awaken Irving from
his dream Of happiness, and reveal to him a
barrier to the consummatioh Of his long cher
ished hopes.
Could he yield Emma without q struggle
with his enemy-~ruthlessly demolish that
bright structure Of the future on which he
loved to gaze-wantonly crush the blossoms
Of hope strewn along his pathway, which II
kindly nourished, would return q harvest Of
sweet joysl
His better feelings turned with proud con-
tempt from such picture and met--the cold
sneer, the taunts and ridicple Of his evil ge-
Mus, Hawkins. How true Il is, that,
"There Is time...ws know not when,
A poin:-.-we know no. where,
That fnarhs the destiniss Of men,
And leads to glory or despair"
Henry Irving's destiny was poised on such
point. His moral Integrity had become par
TALLY desdened uhder the influence Of vicious
associations, and now when the hour had come
in which he was to choose his future, he was
wanting III that strength of soul that would
have enabled him to rise above the influence
that hung like an Incubus about him.
II he had then possessed Whit every young
man 50 much needs In the hour of trial and
tsmptation--ths counsel and sympathy Of vir-
tuous friendship, how different would have
been his fate, but he did not. He sought
counsel and sympathy from Hawkins.
"Why, Irving" said Hawkins one evening
as they sat in their room talking the matter
over, sit isn't possible you'd make such 4 d--d
fool Of yourself As to give up 10 tho whining
Of school girl! A A.prstty how dye do, in
deed, when 4 man must renouhcs his man.
hood, acknowledge his inability to govern
hinsels, and for 4 woman's caprice! These
philanthropists must have an exalted opinion
Of our self.respect and virtue as they term it;
they generously offer to prop US up with writ
ten contracts and pledges! Are We to have
our social intercourse circumscribed, cut and
cornsred to meet the views Of every stiff.
necksd religionist? What most exemplary
pattern of human meekness you would make,
Irving, to place your leading strings into the
hands Of Emma Carson surrender all claims
to independence, and say, Emma dear,
cheerfully submit to your superior wisdom
and experience; whatever you say is right"
What the devil isthere about that girl to make
such fuss about! There are plenty - good
looking, rs smart, and not troubled with saint
ly notions"
And thus, with ridiculc and sneers, was the
last hope of reformation destroyed. That
night Irving and Hawkins attended an oyster
supper at the "Globs Coffee House," where
they met some half dozen boon companions
Wine and wit flowed freely. Irving drank
deep to drown the voice of conscience and the
conf flictipg emotions that stirred his soul, ant
that night, for the first time in his life, Henry
Irving was put to bed drunk!
From that hour his career was downward
| His visits at Mr.. Carson's we're discontinued
At the last interview Emma urged kiln BY al
he held dear aiid iacred-by his hopes fol
time and etsri!ty--snd every Argument ant
induteifient that warm heart coGld cotHman'
Ito change His course Of life; add for mo
nent 1t roised the remaihs Of manhood with
in him, but there was 4 Chain Of influences
r.. power Of indulgence that sven the slo
quencs of his hearts love could not sevet. HI
left her with proiniis Of reformation, ant
shortly departed for the South. But the prom
| ise was never redeemedi
Young reader. be csteful how you eohtfat
vicious habits! beware of tie perils Of fash
ienable drinking, like poor Irving you ma!
learn, when tso late, that
"Bene..h the flowers that wres,hs the sparkling Sow
Fell sdders hiss and poisonous ss,psnis f5ll."