Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-02-22

There is in most, If not in all careers,a mo !
menl-;he crisis Of lle-an hour upon which
all the future hangs. That crisis came 10
Mary IRVINE.
Her house, derobed Of many comforts, was
not quite deSolale. She clung, while a glim-
mer of hope remained, to her faith in her
husband. She believed that all who knew
him did not know his degradation. She
lhought that she had concealed it from many;
and, fond simpie,on, imagined that men did
not see through the hollowneSs of her smile,
when she spOke'o! her husband.
1t was night, aud late. There were voices
aud rude knock at the door. She opened it
and her brother entered, proceeding The po-
licemen, in whose custody he had found the
inebrae husband. She looked, and comper
hended all. They laid the Senseless man on
sofa. and the strangers left The house.
Put on your bonnet, Mrry," said her
bro her, "anG come home with me-"
Mary cast on eye on the wreck Of her love
amt hope. LoatEing thoughts rose within her;
she made one step as if TO comply; for escape
was now first in her thoughts ,and she felt that
she had bourne oil that human nature could
endure. The child, disturbed in its sleep, re-
criled her 10 The thought how hopeless was
escape the babe smiled, aud i'll the smile she
saw the sunshine Of other days. HOwmg OVER
The cradle, she sobbcd out Of her heart all its
Stern resolves.
"Come ~ said her brother.
"But, my child %
eve will send for it," said the brother,
but, perceiving strange look, almost indle.
naRt, through her tears, ave will take it with
u.s." he said. But the first careless express
aon had turned The scale. She made no an
swer, until, after waiting moment in Silence
her broher said, and now more sharply,
| Come %
"Wat till tomarrOw."
"N0w, or never %
She made no reply, but bending over her child
soothed il again 10 sleep, she wavered-though
-paieyed and was reused, at asst, from q
hal dream by The noise of closing door.---
She rose suddenly, and gazed wildly about
her. Her brother had gone; her dark hour had
passed; for the temptation was wllhdrawn.--
Did she do righl Mark the sequel, and then
answer.
Henry Irvine a~oke 10 consciousness in a
burning fever II was not merely that which
invariably follows de hauch, nor was it that
terrific delrium consequent uDon long iRdul.
gence in intoxicalion; for his fall had been
rapid, and the time OF his error Sho:t. But
disappointment, excess, and exposure, had
made him, IN short space, perfect wreck
He obeyed her guidance like a child, and she
oenlup, ej him TO his bed, ond then deSPotch-
ed the following note Ia an old friend:
"Mary Irvine hopes that, among all the
friends Of her better days, there. is one leA
who will come 10 her in her extremity, with
no impossible demands, and that she shall
find that one friend in DR.. Ralph"
The physician, benevolent old gentleman
vas with her even before her messenger re.
turned. He listened kindly, and if a thought
Of incredu!ity arose in his mind, he conceal
ell il, and followed the wife, with kind words,
rs an equal, and not as patron, To the bed
side Of her husband. For a moment, he stoot
r~gar'ing the sad picture; then, gently taking
The debauchee's hand, proceeded mechan
calv 10 count his pulse.
"Oh, Doctor ~ cried the sufferer turning
away, "ths is the cruelty Of kindness ~ 4
suspicion occurred 10, and dark shade cam
over his face. "No!' he shouted in husk
voice. "it is the keenneSS Of insult % ti
rose 10 spring forwnrd-but his face beamet
deadly pale, and he sank exhausted and pow
erleSs.
The noctor sighed and turned away. He
sat down and penclled prescription, and
said, 81 will call sgain."
"Will you, indeed n' said Mary, her fac
Frightening up.
"Poor chili"' said the old renteman- -,
"You are pleased To find thu, admit that some
thing ailS him besides intoycaton. Strange
strange but very natnral," and he huuie
ou..
Henry !ay some h urs weak bnt conscious
Faithfully, but painfuly, did his wife alten
npon him: for, while the necessity nf a,'en
!. ton, and the promptings Of her heart calle
!, her TO his side, she sreivei 10 see that tn
: sight Of her face disturbed him-dsturbe
him almost TO distraction. And who can won
r der
1t was n long, long day. And day passe
into evening, and evening into midnight, be
: fore the care of her husband and her chill
suffered her 70 rest. Exhausted nsture claim
u ed her due, anG Mary dreNmed. She wa
, hack in The Joy Of other years-yct ever tina
Joy there seemed sadness. People were DE-
ewing hrm 10 her, and she was zealously dc
) Tending him-as she had often done. An
while she dreamed she thought his peasal
voice spake in her car, "Maryv Again
:, spake, ,ond now she sprang upand went 10 HI
!, bedside.
, , "Cau you forgive mt ?"
y "Forgive YOU, dearest !" She did not kno
whe her she was asleep or awake-whethC
- he spake in fac' and deed, or whether I'll
: voice were dream-voice. So for the wal
:, OF further words, she placed her cheek 10 h
- "God bless YOU, Wary Now | can resi-.
He fell asleep. But the shock his healt
. had received was not 10 be retrieved so esSil
y y as by one nights rest. On the morrow h
u u was both better and worSe-belter, for iheI
{ was less fever-worSe for there was e,
:. strength
;. . nd so wore day after day. We need M
!" relate how, with sure progress, but SLOW
% % death mastered his victim; for Henry Irvine
y days were numbered. And we need not Gt
scribe how The Young wife hovered over h
!. couch, and his weary life was closed in 70
= giyenesS and peace. Brothers and (Tienr
~ she lacked none now; for He who calls l
:, hence by death, has surrounded its approaC
]. with circumstances which remove enmili'
u and dsarms hate. He passed away quietl
- y and bis last illness left gentle memory
i, him in mems hearts.
e Nv.
st There was q sound of wheels at the door,
J. ''Now, daughter" said her mother, as 81
ID entered, Eve have come for you, os we pros
sed. Come home again TO our hearth al
le hearts. Forget that you were ever away"
10 Mary silently pointed TO her child. II