Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-10-15

AnuS al WcHt sWetl IUr EuOFe GHdu 1uuF
years, when heated political contest sprang
up.-Yielding to the solicitation of many
friends he became candidate for the State
Legislature, although the party TO which he
belonged constituted but a small moiety of
the citizens of the county. Treating was
the universal mode of electioneering, and
Horace Layerne could not prove an exeep
ton. And while dealing out ardent spirits
to others, he too was obliged to drink.
And then he met his political club on sta
ted nights, where wine and other refresh
ments' were served aud thus the current
Of his life was ohanged--from the smooth
aud even coursesin which Il had previously
flowed, it was turned into rough and rocky
channcl; but he little thought what
breakers were ahead.
In this campaign the talents of Mr.. La
verne were brought into notice. In his
electioneering speeches none could cope
with him in eloquenee, in argament and
repartee. All acknowledged his superiori-
ty over his opponents, but the iron hinges
ofparty move not for talent and worth !;
and as be expected, he was defeated, though
by small majority His defeat did not
disturb the equanimity Of bis mind, for he
had calculated on nothing else. But he
had formed new associations, had found
new places of resort, and soon his chair was
frequently vacant at the domestic hearth.
Under the pretext Of attending to his bust
ness at his store, he absented himself from
home till late at night, carousing with bis
friends at the hotel.
Ah how stiftly fees domestic happiness
and conjugal confidence when the practice
of deception is commenced
Mrs. Laverne was ilG at ease, and fearful
doubts and misgivings flashed through her
soul as she noted the flushed face and spark
ling eyes of her husband, and smelled the
stencil of alcoholic fumes, when be retur
ned home but he would tell her that he
had felt little unwell, that he was much
fatigued, and had only taken little wine
to strengthen and invigorate him. The1
would her old confidence retsrn, and again
the happy smile would wrcat her lip.
and pleasure sparkle in her G., s, and the
tcnd dream of domestic felic. ! again seen
a reality.
How cutting it must Dc % the heart Of
man to thus deceive the trusting, lovins
faith of the wife Of his bosom. Even tht
success of his scheme must give him pain
tul feelings, or else his heart must be Who'll
ly callous. But thus it is with vice, on,
begets another, each linked in each. form
ing chain which extends down to th
wosld of eternal wo.
4 kut fhooo p,rbk
yhesrns, Io4 Sieis strong ffR driiik was ep
geDdered, and gambling, its eoncomitan
vice, was added to the sins of Horace [;
verne. Still his wife was kept in ignoranc
OF his real conduct, except as dark doubts
like unwelcome visitors, and which sh
strove to Danish, would intrude themselye
upon her mind and then she would gaz
on the calm features of her child, and trac
It's fathers lineaments in its face, as it la
sleeping in the repose of innocence, an
dewy tears, half of pain and half of plea.
ure, would gather in her eyes, and strans
feelings pervade her bosom
But doubts rapidly deepened into certain
ty, and on the night we first introduce he
IN her lonely watchings and in anguish
soul, the whole truth had thrust itself upo
her, and we have seen the agony of spiri
it caused her. That night was the hear
enshrining and soul cherished picture br
ken; and, how much keener than the par
OF death was the shock that broke it. Lii
had before been bright and lovely but no
1t was dark and burdensome The sprin
of joy were dried up, and the dark waite
Of despair heaved wildly around her, threa
+ ening to engulph her in the dismal abys
I One tender shrub remained to which s.
could cling-her lovely child Every OF
er hold on life was broken, every 9th
endearment gone This was the on
star that beamed in the armament of h
earthly existence, the only light that
lumined her gloomy pathway to the gray
Only a mothers love can rise superior
the terrors-not of death, but-of life.
TO BE CONTINUED.