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

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in the dinner now. Come, throw of
this depression, dry up your tears and
be yourself. AS | have just said, from
your countenance must come sunlight,
or every heart will be in shadow"
"Leave me for little while, joshua u
murmured the unhappy mother, " that
l may recover myself. l would not for
worlds mar the pleasure of our children
this day."
Farmer Perkins left the room, and as
he did so, his wife bent forward, and
buried her face deep in the bed by which
she was sitting. Almost as still as if in
slumber she remained for several min
utes. Then rising up with features SC
changed from their deep sadness, that
an observer would have wondered at the
power of self-control she had been able
to exercise, she made a few hurried
changes in her dress, and was ready to
join her family in the large old sitting
room below, just as the last dish had
been placed on the ample dinner table.
Three sons and their wives, and two
daughters with their husbands, with half
a score of grandchildren, were soon
gathered around the teeming board
But ere the smoking viands were served
thanks were offered, and blessing asked
by farmer Perkins His voice slightly
tremblcd as he uttered the words, a" We
thank thee, Father, that there is no
vacant place at our table to-day; that
We are not mourners for lost one or a
wanderer." And in spite of mothers
efforts to keep tight reign upon her
feelings, her eyes were wet when she
lifted them, as the last words of the
blessing died on the air.
Edward, the oldest of farmer Perkins
sons, had, unhappily, fallen into intcm-
perate habits. Every effort had been
made by his family and friends to re-
claim him, but with no permanent sue
cess. He saw and felt his danger, and
made his frequent struggles against the
fatal habit that was marring every good
in life, and fast dragging him down to
ruin but, alas he struggled in vain
Temptation met him at every turn he
was too weak to resist her cunning allure
ments. He repented and promised, and
resolved, over and over again, only to
stumble and fall with every new effort
at reformation.
He had gentle, loving wife, whose
heart he was breaking Not that he
was harsh toward her, or wilfully neg
lectful of her comforts. Even when his
intellect was dulled by liquor, he treated
her in the kindest manner and, what
was stranger still for drunkard, even
bore her remonstrances and earnest
pleadings patiently, and with unvarying
promises of amendment.
Initiated as the appetite of Edward
Perkins had become, he yet refrained
from bringing liquor into his house.
When he drank, it was at a tavern
and alas these dens of depravity were
scattered SO thickly around the neigh
borhood in which he lived, that allure
nent met him whenever he ventured
abroad. Daily, business called him forth
md alaost daily he returned to his
nome less man than when he went
iorth.
Where are you going, Edward ?"
asked his wife on Thanksgiving morning,
aging her hand on his arm, and looking
,im earnestly in his face. He had
aiken his hat, and was about stepping
rom the door.
"Just down to Wilson's store," he
81 left my whip there, as
'ame by last evening"
90, never mind the whip, Edward.
Tom will 60 well enough"
No." must have the whip. He's
lazy dog, and cunning into the bargain.
Without whip over his head, he would
lot get us to fathers by dinner time"
" Won't your old whip do, Edward ?"
No; it's a poor shabby concern,
nd broken in the handle at that. It's
10 use talking about it, Sarah 1 must
,et my whip from Wilson'S. SO finish
lressing Eddy and Jane, and have your
'wn things on against get back. l
Son't be gone long"