The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-02-02

distressed before; now she could not
restrain her feelings. She arose and
left the room, tears were streaming over
! her face. Edward, in drunken indigna.
tion at his fathers rebuke, pushed his
chair back from tho table and followed
his wife.
!, " Come ~ said he, on joining her
C come get on your things. I'll not
stay here to be insulted."
/ 40, Edward !" sobbed the unhappy
f woman, laying her hand upon his arm
, Don't speak of insult. | only wonder
: that your father has borne with you SC
!, long"
"My son! o, my son !" 1t was now
his mothers voice had penetrated his
ears and her hand that rested gently
upon him ; her wet eyes that looked
sadly into his own. She too had left
the dinner table, and followed her weep
ing daughter-in-law and angry son.
What did father mean by speaking
to me in that way :" inquired Edward,
Indignantly. Excitement of mind was
SOLDERING him.
I" You do not need to ask the ques-
ton, Edward" replied his mother,
speaking in calmer tone.
But l do need to ask the question.
1t is rather hard saying to call man
fool"
Did you ever know half-intoxicat-
ed man to talk sensibly :"
ltwas plain speaking for the mother !;
palmer than she had spoken to him.
The effect was instantaneous. lie had
imagined that he was acting the sober
man so perfectly, that no one suspected
the truth, now openly charged upon
him, and by that one from whom he
most desired to conceal his lapse from
sobriety. Enough Of perception and
shame was left to humiliate him. The
angry frown passed from his countenance
his eyes, but now flashed with indig-
nant light, dropped to the floor. Sink
ing into chair, he bent downward, and
sat motionless and, seemingly, power
less.
Edward !" How full of tenderness
was the mothers voice. Edward, my
son, be a man from this time. Break
loose from your thraldom, BY moth
ers love, and mothers tears, let me
conjure you to abandon the way that
leads to swift destruction"
A few moments Of deep silence fol-
lowed. Not a sign of inebriety was in
the voice or countenance Of Edward,
when he looked up into bis wife's face
and said, in low, firm tone:
" Get yourself ready, Sarah, we will
60 home"
/" Not now, Edward, not now, my son.
Don't leave your fathers house in
anger"
:" am not angry, MOTHER" was an
swered calmly, but sadly. 1t seems
that | marred every thing here to-day,
and it is better that We should return
him. l will bring out the horse and
wagon. AS soon as the children have
finished their dinners, we will CO."
" Let him CO." was the brief answer
of the elder Mr.. Perkins, when word
came in that Edward was preparing to
leave. And yet he had already repent
ed him of bis harshness. But he had
frmness of character strongly developed
and he would not bend himself to his
weak, erring, unhappy son
As soon as it was understood that
Edward was preparing to leave, Ruth
and Phebe, the sisters-in-law of Sarah,
who loved her very much, Immediately
arose from the table, and went to her in
the chamber, where, weeping bitterly,
she was preparing to obey her husbands
wishes.
" Don't go, Sarah Don't! Where is
Edward He mustn't take you away.
Let him return home if he will but We
can't let you CO."
eff Edward goes, l must" was her
only reply.
Where is he :"
"Gone to bring out the wagon"
The two sisters-in- law went forth to
and begged him not to 90.
But no persuasion or argument could
move him. lie exhibited neither anger