The Empire County argus., 1854-03-18

were sent on, as promised, by express.
Weeks elapsed without learning anything of the |
young couple, though scarcely day passed that
we did not speak of them.
About this time business took me to New York. |
On the day of my arrival | sent note to Maria, |
telling her would see her in the evening. | called
at eight O'clock and after being shown into an ele-
ganty furnished parlor, awaited her appearance
for nearly five minutes. | was beginning TO wonder
at her delay, when the door opened and she came
in. Oh how few weeks had changed her In
stead of sprnging to meet me with an eager smile
and grasping my hand in the excess Of pleasure
always shown at previous meetings, she advanced
but slowly, and when ! bent to kiss her. her head
sunk against me, and she welcomed me with tears
and sobs Nothing could have more surprised me
than this change.
"My dear, dear Maria" said |, after leading her
to chair 'why do see you in such distress!'
"Forg i've me uncle" she replied, struggling to re-
gain her self possession, and cndeavoring to smile
through her tears-"but I've felt so low spirited all
day know it is wrong to give way to our feel
ings. Still there are times when we cannot help
| it; | wish | were not so foolish
AS she eyaded all my questions az to the cause of
her unhappy feelings, could do little but seck to
interest her in conversation. When inquired for
her husband she replied that he was engaged out
for the evening; but she did not say that he would
be glad to see me on the next day.
| felt very unhappy after leaving Maria, and
could sleep but little all night. In the morning
called early to see gentleman whom knew to be
acquainted with Wilder.
When I mentioned the name of the latter, my
friend looked grave.
'IIaye you seen him latoly?" asked
"Yes,'' he replied 81 saw him but yesterday"
II called at his house last evening" said but
he was not at home. was little surprised to find
Maria suffering from lowncss of spirits"
am alIaid she has cause" my friends an
swer.
Cause You alarm mo What causcl7
'You may not know said he that Wilder has
been an Incorporate man.
''ntemperate! Bless me! !"
"About five years ago he drank freely. All his
friends were in great distress for it feared that
he was about to become a hopeless drunkorl. But
he suddenly reformed, entered into business, and
has since avoided tasting even wine On the occa-
sion of his marriage, while ON visit to your city
at that time | an afraid he was tempted to drink
something, for ever since he has been almost daily
more Or less under the influence of liquor don't
wonder that his wife is low spirited. Heaven only
knows where it is going to end y
"Ile staid with US while in Philadelphia, said |,
"but we never offered him neither Wine nor bran
dy."
As uttered this a thought of my wiGos bran
died peaches flashed through my mind
had few more questions to ask, for compre-
hended all too clearly. How badly felt may be
imagined
su1ung that would find Wilder at his store, Went
there forthwith. He sat reading as | entered. On
looking up from his newspaper, he did not recognise
me. But when | mentioned my name, he started
to his feet quickly, and grasped my hand, while
flush came over his face.
"I am sorry could not be at home last evening"
/ he h0lfstammered. IAN engagement which had
made compelled me to 90 out. But am very glad
to see you now. How do you do-and how is our
good aunt =
AN very WE'LL" repled-but not with the
warmth of manner he eNhibited-that was out Of
the question. | felt too sad at heart. One thing
remarked. he was perfectly sober, This was some
relief to my feelings.
''lou will dine with us, to-day?' said " iier
There was some constraint in his manner, as he
said this
sPerhaps Maria will rot expect me-
oh yes, she will. She wished mc to apologize
for not inviting you last evening. But You must
excuse her she rather low spirited about some
thing last night"
SO observed Poor child what could there
be to make her poor loving, gentle heart so sad :"
Wilder appeared i'll at ease and the remark rather
tended to disturb than tranquilize his feelings.
| lc found it difficult to enter upon any regular
conversation In a little while | went away after
promising to call at halfpast two o'clock and go
homo with him to dinner
Trembling lest | should find all my worst fears
realized called at the hour appointed, and found
| II ilder as sober as when had left him in the
morning. and in a far better state Of mind. My
feelings were wonderfully relieved. On going home
with him noticed that the moment we entered
Maria glanced quickly and with earnest look at
her husband Then, as if relieved from heavy
pressure of suspense, her spirits seemed to bound
with happy impulSe She welcomed me with one
of her old smiles and looked much like her former
self that was half in doubt whether had not been
dreaming of ell that had passed the evening before
After dinner, and while " ilder and sat conver-
sing alone, he said to me with solennity never
can forget
"Nly visit to you came we'll nigh proving my ruin
but YOUR visit here has saved for it has inspired
me With a resolution that did not yesterday possess
For five years previous to the time of my marriage,
no strong drink of any kind passed my lips dare
not touch it, for to do so knew would instantly re-
vive an old appetite whose appeals could not resist
But at your table I was tempted with branded
peach | resisted at first but it was urged upon me
SO strongly tina, at length yielded. cannot tell
YOU with what delight ate that fruit. You no
doubt remember how warmly praised it, and that
our aunt sent us on jar Of the delicious preserves
And what has been the result! Until to-day, have
hardly known a sober hour since my return to New
| York But the dark hour has passed. feel that
am myself again. shall touch the accursed poison
no more"
NV moor wife--how deeply she was afflicted when
bore to her the news. ftears could have washed
out her error, it would have been obliterated from
the pages of events No one can imagine with what
anxiety we listened to every breath Of intelligence
from, (Iario's husband and no need envy us the