Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-07-25
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Malcolm WARREN.
OR THE OLD NJ A MS STOK 7,

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OR THE OLD MANS STORY.
"Malcome; wouldn't go out to night
Come stay with ME this evening"
Not this evening Alice, nave promised
to meet some friend this evening, and | must
keep my word. Twill be at home in good
season.. ~.
81 had hoped that should have your
company. Come, why can't you try and
see If cannot make you as happy as those
companions whom you are to meets Just
this once, Malcom. o, this once!
No. no, Alice, am going out What
crying! Now what's the use of that. CAM
a fellow go out once and while without
leaving crying wife :"
:" can't help it, Malcom. But here, kiss
me before you 60"
Thus spoke Malcon Warren and his young
wife. Malcome was a young man twenty
seven years ofase, and a carpenter by trade
His wife was one of the sweetest DISPOSE
toned girls in: town, and she made one o
the best of wives. She loved her husband
with the whole energy of her pure soul, and
she knew that she was beloved in heart
Her two children, boy and girl, often saw
her shed tears when they were alone with he'
in the snug little sitting room, aud tue boy
was old enough to ask what made his mother
cry, but she dared not tell him.
Malcom Warren owned the little cottage
in which he lived, and he had paid for it all
out Of his own hard earnings, while Alice
had borne her share of the burden by pur'
chasing all the furniture. Malcom was stout
and ain excellent workman, and he had nev.
, er.yet seen the hour when he need to lay
idle oriheswant of work. A better hearted
yonth lived 'hot in the town, aud when he
took the gentle Alice for his wife there was
a,any a fair maiden whose bosom gave place
to a kindly, wistful envy. They would mol
have robbed Alice of her prize but they only
hoped that their own lot might be as fortu
nate. Why, then, should cloud come upon
that house! Why should Alice weep? Ah
for the same reason that thousands of our
fairest daughters weep. For the same rea'
son that hot tears are ever crying out their
silent appeals for mercy-tears that run un'
ill they make food that fairly shrieks as il
rolls over our land. -
Malcom Warren had high social nature
Ibis society was priced by all who could
secure it and be had been indulgtng in the
false snailes of the wine.cup for the last year,
be lad been allowing his appetite to gain
strength. At first it was only an "occa'
sional glass" then Gag lass or so once in
while" and then zone or two glasses a
day." But lately he had gone so far as to
spend his earnings from home, and for near.
ly two months past be had spent all his mo.
ney with his jovial companions Alice saw
all this, and she knew full we'll where it would
end if it was not stopped. She knew her
husbands nature, and she knew how surely
he was falling. She had whispered to him
her fears, and he had tried to laugh them of
rs idle whims. She had prayed to him to
stop the fatal career while he had yet strength,
but he had beer offended because she should
think that he would ever become drunkard.
So Alice was afraid to speak all her fears.
Yet she saw with clear eye all that was
coming. She saw the broad road upon
which her beloved was travelling, and her
hear. was aching. She knew that even now
want was staring them in the face! 1t was
autumn, and she had asked Malcom for mo.
ney to buy warmer clothes for herself and
children, and he had none to give her. On
Iva day before he had brought home buck
ct full of -four instead of sending home g
barrel as he used to do. He earned money
and where was it9 Alas! poor Alice knew
too well Malcom's face, and she saw that its
manly beauty was slowly but surely eating
away. The large blue eyes were growing
dim, bleared and bloodshot, the once fail
cheeks were becoming swollen and bloated
aud the lips looked dry. and cracked. Nc
woudereshe knelt down by her bedside anc
prayed.
ltwas now Saturday evening, and Malcon
was going out. He was to meet some friends
and Alice knew that he was to meet them al
the tavern. He had worked only three day:
the past week. and be had the pay for these
three days work ia his pocket. That mo-
ney was needed at home but where would i
be on the morrow?
Malcom, o do not wholly forget YOU
fond loving Alice when you are gone!
But Malcom did not answer. He kissec
her not as he used to do, but kissed her mere
Iy because she asked him to--and then lef
bis cottage. After he had gone Alice sa
down and wept. She could not help it. He
darling hoy crept by her side, and placed biz
: arms abont herr neck. He asked no questions
but he asked her not to cry. His little mine
seemed to have some idea Of the coming o.
d calamity. 1t must have been vague, but il
was clear enough to prevent him from forcing
: the dread thoughts upon bis mother. Once
more he asked her not to cry and then his
own little heart burst, and. mother and chile
wept together. This was another drop in
the poor wife's cup Of affection. Oh how
palpable must be the husbands danger. Bu,
She could only clasp and pray more fervent
y. And the little boy when his mother haG
done prayed, said, Amen"
1t was clear cool evening, and as Nal
com Warren stepped opt into the street he
seemed to shake himself as though he would
shake of the influence of the dear place he
was leaving. But he could not wholly 90 it
He could not drive from his mind the fearful
toountenance of his fond and faithful wife
nor nor could he forget the look of earnest sim
BE anguish be had noticed on the face Of hi:
Child. Yet he tried to crush the thoughts
that were thus springjng into life. "PoohP
said he, as the image of his wife forced itsel
upon him. Il is only little fun and frolic