True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-08-29
STEUBENVILLE, OHIO, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 80, 1856,

one day, to unburden myself to my sweet
wife--perhaps when the image of lit
tie child should plead to the mothers heart
for the weakness of its father. The events
of the past two months have revived my
despair-I was tempted and fell Yet
cast me not from you. Never again will
you behold me in the condition, to which
you were once the unwilling witness. Cast
me not off without one more trial. will
absent myself for any term you dictate,
only suffer me to hope that victory over
myself will be restoration to your favor
and love. o, Emma my hopes Of Heav-
en depend on your decision. Will you
forgive me? viii you trust me y"
His face was bathed in tears as he made
this candid confession, and plead with all
the eloquencc Of deep passion. When
was ever true elOquence without its inhu-
ence? :? Not in this instance-they felt
that he was sincere, and Mrs. Morris, pla-
cling her Iii N lkerchief to her eyes, turned
away, Emma, whose gaze had never wan
dcred, as she listened with suspended
breath, cast on him the look of pitying
angel, and extended to him her hand. lie
received it reverently, covering it with
kisses.
"Will l forgive you?-will I trust you?
-ah, Mr.. Selvyn, will l not Depend
not ON a frail mortal like yourself, but put
your trust in God. Pray to Him for strength
to overcome this great temptation, and He
will help you. . .
1t was settled that Mr.. Selvyn should
pass the probation of year, with his fam
f lily. What good purpose this was to an
swer l could never rightly understand,
but SO it was. His letters reached them
. punctually. They were filed with repen-
lance for the past, determination for the
future, with wretchedness at the separa-
: ton from his wife, for whom he expressed
: so much love and admiration, in which no
Complaints were mingled, that they touch
! ed them nearly and before the expiration
7 of the year, he was invited to return.
D He returned, looking both well and hap
e py. There was now, no reserve between
them, and manifesting deep religious
: sentiment, be united himself to the church,
, to which Emma a few months previous
; had been admitted member. Winter
: saw them again at the plantation, when
, Mr.. Selvyn joined with heart and soul in
t all their plans for the improvement of
d their people. Never had he appeared tc
0 such advantage. His look was open and
. firm, his manner, assured and tranquil
: and he became the light of their eyes tc
v both Mrs. Morris and Emma. Christmas
II approached-a great time on plantations
o where the Christmas holidays are religi
y ously observed. Not always in Christian
s like manner, be it understood, but it ii
l. claimed by the negro, as his prescriptivt
It right. ., ... .s.-
t 1t was lovely day. Mr.. Selvyn wa
!, unusually joyous, and after assisting ii
l. the distribution of Christmas gifts to tin
n scores of negroes who came in to receiv
IS them, he declared his intention of maxim,
Of few calls ON some of the neighborinj
10 planters. "Let me see," he said, emu
lie merating the list-"there are--and--
t. besides MIR. Baker. l saw him yesterda
at at your brothers, Mrs, Morris, and he ap
t. peared to feel really hurt at my not hay
s. ing yet returned his civility'
a. Mr.. Baker lived with true southern hos
d, pitality. HIS house, his table, his servants
# we're all at the disposal of his friends, an
lg never was he more pleased than when hi
" house was we'll filled. both him and hi
H. wife were rejoiced to see Mr. Selvyn. H
~ was invited to remain and dine, which h
/ declined doing. Being Christmas, h
as must join them in glass.of egg-nog. 7
b. this he politely responded that he mad
w no use of stimulants, but the refreshmer
lg was ordered. 1t looked a harmless thin
If. enough, as it filled the huge china bow
n above the top of which lowered pry'
to mid of froth, as white and light as th
;e, driven snow.
on 'It is nothing more than custard, egg
If. and sugar, you know, with slight das
n of brandy" and Mr.. Baker filed tv
be glasses, one for himself, the other for NJ
nd Selvyp, aa
ph Again he would have declined, but Mr.
% Baker, as she hcapcd on the top of eac