Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-03

as delicious draft, though to many, shar-
per than two-edged sword.
He paused moment, and then recon-
menced in a low voice, whose mocrnful ca
dence thrilled every hearer.
feel it my painful duty, yet still duty
/ owe to this glorious cause and the young,
whose interests are very dear to me- though
it almost wrings the life-blood from my heart,
to relate to you a portion of my life for said
he in an agitated voice, I was not once what
you now see me- and then he told in fire.
touched language what we already know.
Of Mary, ne spoke tsnderly, o how ten
derly Of her loyelineszs he-ssF virtues; but
she,' said he, while tears sparkied in his
soul-lit eyes, as he looked on the sad, sweet
| faces before him, my young friends raised
the poisoned chalice to my lips, and bid me
taste; thoughtless, little dreaming she was
plunging dagger in her own bosom, sowing
seed that would waste all the sweet flowers of
affection. o, how she suffered. Too late
she sought to redeem her error. She agoni-
zed to save me. Life was to her no more
than the dying zephyr, if by its sacrifice,
she should snatch me from the abyss to
which was fast fastening; but trampled
on all those sweet blossoms of her love, and
because she refused to link her fate with
mine, a foul wretch, fend that was, cursed
her to her face. o OGod forgive me- said he,
lifting his eyes to heaven; 4 can never for
give myself
Tortured with remorse, drank deeper
and deeper, and with rapid strides approach
ed nearer and nearer the unfathomable gulf,
from which there is no escape. No raw of
light shone down into the dark recess of nv
soul. Grief and remorse, with their baleful
fires, had scared every heartstring, when the
angel of death stood at my pillow. Oh, the
misery, the anguish of that night A fear
full retrospect stood behind in the dark and
dismal past. A fearful retribution brooded
over the rayless waters of futurity. All my
joys, ny hopes of this life and the life to come
rose before me-each bleeding dying spec
tire
1t is vain. cannot portray the horrors
of that hour. Ny whole existence seemed
wrapped in that brief portiJn of time. fell
{ the breath Of the death angel on my cheek
J escape? I shrieked in my agony. | vowed
if God would spare my life, not one drop Of
, the accursed poison should ever again mois
!, ten my lips. My all-merciful father heard
, the prayer of his wretched child. Years
have fed, and by the help of God have
: kept and will continue to keep that VOW
: But Mary and his voice again sunk almos
: to sob, oh where is she Perhaps Ions
ago laid in her grave-a longed for place o
rest-or perhaps she lives, remembering tina
night as dismal dream, ard tho being wht
cursed her, but with loathing.'
q He ceased, when wild cry pierced the
{ silence, and surtete many a stout heart wit
d fear-and Mary Ellis, forgetful of all saw
If the glorious being before her, like one rise
from the dead, few up the aisle with th
, speed of an arrow, and in one moment NOR
. was clasped in thearms of Harry Glare.
, Sobs and tears swept over that concours
!, of human, hearts, and bowed was many
u head in humble penitence.
|, Many poor inebriate; who came to scot
IS went to his miserable home with burnin
@ hope struggling fer life--for dominion.
q. Many young man, who looked first o
: that speaker but to sneer, vowed to banis
. the social glass forever. Many lovely CIR
) who had considered it beyond the sphere
y woman to engage in temperance, now pledge
, her heart and hand to the noble work.
Daughters of North Carolina Daughter
d of our favored land 60 and do likewise !
h There is work for you all. Say not, Il ca
do nothing A little leaven leaveneth th
: whole lump Your good influence will circl
4 on forever and forever.
IL Mothers, daughters, sisters, frien1s, an
r lovers ! labor-cease not, rest not, until th
} hydra-headed monster lies dead at your fee
sinner from the error of his ways shall sa,
:. a soul from death, and shall hide multituG
: of sins.'