Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-02-07

m0ther-noW she Woulo weep over my 1all .
and Ellic-oh how her tender heart would dr
l had promised Ellie to shun the W.
fatal cup, and to walk in the path of virtue W
and sobriety. But alas the tempter had til
triumphed. / was about to enter my room
when Frank Grant grasped my arm, saying:
'Come, Archie, let us enjoy the PRESENT.
tomorrow, you know, We must resume our I'll
books again. and saying these words, be led fc
me to a loathsome den, termed a licensed b
grocery Many Of my classmates were "
there, and filled high their goblets on my h
approach rising to their feet, with maudlin tt
haste they drank to my health, and loudly h
ringing their empty glasses upon the marble d
counter, welcomed me to ruin l looked S
around the room there stood a billiard table, b
around which stood several young men in a
tent upon q game Of billiards-farther back t
in the sam room, was another table upon i
it lay gold, silver and bank bills in rich pro- 1
fusion it was a gaming table! Around it S
sat young men whose character was unspot-
ted beneath the blaze of the midday sun, {
but instantly became Opaque beneath the ,
shade Of night. was solicited to play, only
for amusement. / played and won played
and lost :, played and won again fplayed
yet again tand lost lost! J and lost1all!!
Frenzied at my loss, l seized the fatal cup
and drank to stupefaction then Gk a grow
cling brute was kicked out into the street
/ was carried to my room by a kind old ne
gro, whose heart was far whittier than that of
the gentleman whose employment was to
make men drunk, and to beggar their wives
and children.
The morning following my debauchery,
found me sick, penniless and fallen My
condition was far from being enviable. re-
manned in my room during the day. Many
were the tears l shed over my blighted hopes
and fallen state. l resolved to fly far away
but reflection changed my purpose. l would,
like the prodigal son, return to my fathers
hOnse and confess my sins. This resolution
strengthened me. l left the Seminary men
tally cursing the instrumentalities that
brought about my fall. | arrived at home,
and what q scene was there enacted-pardon
my weakness | mover think of that hour
without shedding tears. My fathers lip
trembled as he welcomed home his son, his
only child Never will l forget the anguish
my mothers look conveyed as she folded my
head to her bosom. Father wept, mother
wept, l wept, and Ellie wept, for she was
there, too. Nothing was said to remind me
of my erring course but the silent trickling
tear told its story of blighted hopes and
ruined anticipations. The trembling voice,
and embarrassed conversation fell upon my
ears loud as terrible thunders; remorse goad-
cd anu conscience SlnOSe WIFI a uOuDl6 FOU.
!, | could bear it no longer. | arose and 81.
lently withdrew from the room. l stroiled
+, along the smooth grassy banks of the silver
brook it was a lovely night. The moor
: showered down its mellow rays all around
l me, and gave to nature the appearance oftht
s abode Of angels and fairies. / wandered OF
i until | found myself near the place wher
D Ellie had promised to be mine. Suddenly
voice fell upon my ear; | approached nearer
and there | beheld Ellie bowed and s~upplica
: ting a throne Of MERCY. l stood spellbound
chained to the ground without the power t
n move. Her words fell upon my ears Xix
living waves of liquid fire; she was prayin
1t for me-for me, poor, blinded, deluded, d.
I. graded man. She prayed that / might RI
f. form and become q good and useful man st
=; Jpg B4, 44l fAEr 9 HF& 3 l5 i9 this her a t5T Z rS Sf nSfd
IS her side will you forgive me? She star
ID ed, but recognizing me, she answered me
Archie, you must ask God to forgive yor
of and may you have his forgiveness as yc
have mime What could l do but weep
y weep like a child? What could l do-ho
$. could l palliate my conduct? But Ell
We saved me the pain of such an attempt, fl
ed fondlJ placing her hand in mine she CONT
as ued: Archie, you have given US much PAL
n Your parents love you their fondest hop
are conferred upon you; and II love yo
- Archie, dearly love you We had hoped
we StiU hope to see you fill the station of
III honorable, upright man. You know, Arch
or that no man can become useful who wilful
;; tramples upon the feelings of his parents:
he mar can become great who sips at the flo
er ing bowl : he who regards not the path
ii sobriety and virtue must surely fall, and "
have fallen, Archie Cameron, but not irr
W coverably. The future holds out to YOU
'n' bright laurel wreath, and you may obtain
M II you will only reform before the monst
nd too firmly fastens his letters upon YOU. !
ate one desires to see you fill the station of
nst honorable man more than | do, and nv pra
or is, that you may become an ornament
society, and an honor to the age in viii
you live. l know what you would saw.
ON Archie, you must prove to the world til
nat your reformation is thorough, before Il
ent hand can be yours. You have given me il
ar cause to mistrust you'll speak plain. but
rn- almost breaks my heart to do so, vet the f;
,oo is none the less true. I neoer se:lI consent
marry a drunkardi But prove to me tt
your reformation is conplete, then I a
leI yours, but not before, M as / love W
1ul VIII you promise me-, that you will in
on, respect, have anything to do with intoxi
len ting !lquorsF | PROMISE was my rep
it and II l iail to keep it, thenMw'may KIN
wv yOu ho1' Ler6 OU DnVerSatl
ceased, and with q light heart I return
with Ellie to the house. In her presence
TN felt strong once more, and resolved to ne,
for touch the inebriating cup again. We SC
tie gathered around the family altQr-that c.
secrated spot in memory's wide, wide was
tn but l will not dwell here.
- l remained at home several weeks, eni
ing the society of my parents, and cow
.ue sing with my afianced Ellie. My fstI
.es- deemed it necessary for me to 20 to q dist;
the Law University /, at first, objected, but
length reluctantly consented, and again
ted home-that home hallowed by so MANY
dearing associations. At the expiration
two years, l graduated with the highest h
ors. l located in the beautiful Village
ght c., many hundred miles from fath
rty mother and Ellie it being my intention
the visit them as soon as / had established
the myself, a name and reputation. l ente
tor into partnership with an old and experien
e. lawyer. A celebrated litigatcd suit est
. lished my reputation. More than two We
ION had passed away since / last saw nv El
ana l had fully redeemed my character, and O
pom more on the wing of love, l sought
nds loved object of my fondest dreams. / 70,
ty Ellie unchanged. Twelve months from
! day." she said, land l am yours" Wit
buoyant heart, / returned to G. to mr.
cute my profession. I was successful
lLe, enon haoapna n popn1ar mar A.