The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1854-01-19

he had never done Defore,) Dut ne VIII
find his mistake. Finding that he had
taken the night key, / determined to sit
up no longer. / retired, but could not
sleep. The mild beams of the moon came
softly stealing through the window, filing
the room with fantastic shapes of light
and shade, bearing to my troubled mind a
self-examination, so long deferred. AS
the night deepened and my husbandcame
not, 1 wept bitter tears of self accusation,
and in proportion to my fears for his safe
ty did my repentance for the past, and
resolve for the future. deepen and ex-
pand.
Iknew the store had closed some hours
before, and we had few friends, indeed
none with whom he could be spending the
evening. Where can he be, was the con-
stantly recurring question. Just as the
clock struck one, heard the click of the
night key and his step on the stairs.-
With my fears vanished repentance from
my volatile heart, and by the time he
reached the room was prepared to pour
a storm of invective ON his head. He
paused on the threshold, as the moon
shone full in his face, I perceived that he
was pale and agitated, and in the moon
light presented a ghastliness that shocked
me SO much that 1 sprang from the bed,
exclaimed, "Joseph, Mr.. Leland, what is
the matter?" He stared at me that in
stant, and in an excited tone replied
"Don't be fool Clara. Go back to bed,
and, and let me alone. The truth fash
ed on my mind, and again Ipressed my pill
low, where I sought to fasten the blame,
rather than take any share on myself
The next day nothing was said of the
occurrence of the preceding day and
night. In fact, there were few words
spoken on any subject; I felt injured, and
gloom seemed to have settled on the
countenance and manner of my husband.
1t was not until years after that I knew
what / may as well mention now. When
Mr.. Leland left the store on the eventful
night, he paused a moment on the thres-
hold, uncertain whittier to directhis steps,
dreading after the toilings of the day to
encounter the fretfulness of an. arbitrary
wife at home. Home-home no longer
to his gentle and peace loving spirit
Just then an acquaintance passed, and
accosting him gaily invited him to go and
partake of an oyster supper at fashiona-
BILE restaurant. Unhappily his stomach
prompted his mind to accept the invitation.
That night the tempting wine cup held to
his lips; second and third followed in
in rapid succession, and in that state he
sought his chamber as we have already
seen. -~.
j Following this, there came succession
of days and months frightened with the
deepest misery to both of us. I will
draw veil over the recolleetions of this
period, only mentioning that but few
! months had elapsed before the hollow
cheeks and bloodshot eyes told tale tha
. none who saw him could fail to read
, My husbands conduct and appearance
instead of causing self-reproach and ex
citing pity, led me to look upon myself a
one of the most injured of wives, and m,
selfish and wicked heart hardened toward
him till rarely spoke save in harshnes
E and reproach. .-.
E We had been married about two years
One morning Mr.. Leland wentto the stor
E as usual, but soon returned. On lookin!
i at him, I caught my breath in astonish
r ment. His eyes were wild and gleame,
$ like hot Goals, and he staggered acros
the room, and would have fallen had h
t not grasped their into which he sank. H
, sat moment, as if collecting his thought
: then. in voice firm and solemn, Will
/ [ almost felt his burning gaze, he SAID
3sClara, this day | am ruined man--m
, employers have watched my steps, hav
a expostulated with me; finding it to no pul
e pose, this day, on which should hav
/ been raised to an honorable and profts
BILE position, I am without money an
. without friends. Trouble and disappoin
). ment drove me to- the wine cup; then,
: find oblivion, for my sorrows, | neglecte
v my business, became kinvolved in deb
v and this is the consequence"
Rules for the Young.