Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-02-06

In the ccstacies of his joy-like sailor,
whose heart bounds, as after voyage OF peril,
land comes in view, he does not observe the
tear trembling in Mays eye, or the futtering
voice with which she responds to his greet
ings-and then they proceed with the evening
meal in the carpenters home.
The two weeks have passed away upon the
path that has no returning step. 1t is Satur-
day night again in the carpenters home, and
William is expected from work. Mary Hawk
son has been seated before the CRATE for full
! hour, to the neglect Of supper, Baby Bell, and
even the opportunities OF little Harry. The
| glow OF the fire falls upon face, pale and
deathly in its expression-and meets the fire
of eyes in which wildness and sadness strange
| Iy mingle. Suddenly she starts up, and her
thoughts speak out
| 81 will, must make another risk!' and
then sinking into the chair again, faltcrs forth,
:sbut ed in heaven, what viii that avail ?''
| A footstcp is heard approaching the house.
| She dries her tears as well as she can, and
awaits with fearful tremble, the coming of
William. His hand is upon the knob,and as
| spasm shoots through the heart of the wife, the
! joyful carpenter bounds into the room shouting
sSIt's done, Mary-it's done. Here's the
money, the last of the sum we wanted
| Quick bring down the box, and let us count
the whole, to be sure that we have not been
mistaken.-Quicll ?''
Why does he turn glance OF surprise upon
Mary-surprise even in the glow of JOY p
The wife rises to her feet, but seems scarcely
able to stand she turns upon her doting hus-
band look of utter despair, and then sinks
down at his feet.
nd-forgiye-forgiye ?''-
she uttered, bat could not proceed.
.sWhy, Mary-how-what's the matter p
there is nothing to forgive, love. Here's the
balance OF the money-we shall have house
Of our own, and then-when there's no rent to
pay, you shall not spoil your pretty hands in
the kitchen any more,'' says William, endea-
voring to make her rise.
ssWilliam-W iliam-you have no money!
she answers, and sinks 70 the floor.
The carpenter stands like one stricken with
the thought Of approaching death.
ssWhat do you mean? Have you been rob
bed - he at length asks in husky voice, and
the glow of his cheeks change to an ashen hue.
ssNo, no-you have been robbed, and I am
the thief! William = she now musters
strength enough to say, ''hear me, and then
let me die, as I deserve. I have abused your
confdcnce.-The money you have given to
my care, has been spent in the policy shop,
even to the last cent. was induced to try
my fortune there, and have ruined both You
and myself. On! forgive me -
But the agonizing cry for forgiveness falls
upon ears that convey but unmeaning sounds
TO the carpenters brain. He has heard but a
portion of the narrative OF ruin, and the ap-
peal for forgiveness is answered by mani
ac's hollow laugh! The carpenter utters but
the one word-s:devil''- -dashcs his wife to
the floor, and rushes wildly from home that
he can know no more
Days pass away-days of fearful agony and
| despairing search on the part of Mary Hawk
son and of grief on the part of the poor car
penter's many friends. And then, among the
| masses of floating ice in dock on the Della
ware, the hair of a corpse was discovered
S mating upon the temples, and the eyes were
seen cleaning with a frozen stare. The body
was hauled upon the wharf, and before the
, Coroner arrived, a womans wild shrek start
I led the laborers on the wharyes, and Mary
) liawkson was raying over her husbands body
And, though the corpse now moulders be-
5 meath the SHOWS of the church yard, never
since has the wife, so fatally weak-so snned
against, yet sipning-ceasod TO rave, like Z
\ fury, over the ruin the policies wrought.