The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-13

fully borne. But thus Car there had bee
no sorrow. Worldly riches had increases
90 that the little place in which they live
was now their own, free from all debts.-
The blacksmith business was still thriving
and would become moro 90, as the villag
increased In size, and ho still continued hi
old habits Of active industry. Everybod,
pronounced him rising man, and wha
everybody said must be true. Even his old
friend, Tom, had ceased to urge the temper
anco cause 20 strongly upon him, and had
nearly arrived at the conclusion that John
Wilder was one Of the very few who might
indulge In the "two glasses q day."
Regularly were the two glasses taken a'
the bar-room Of the village inn, which stood
30 near the blacksmith's shop, and as regu'
larly was q sum equivalent to their cost
handed to Catharine upon his return from
daily work. At first, II was done in joke
but at length, became thing Of counc-o
fixed habit which 1t would have been di6-
cult to break up. No question was ever
asked as to the disposition Of the money =
"Here are your two glasses" Wilder would
say, and q quiet "Thank you," was the
wife's reply.
Catharine's pleasant reflections were in
terrupted by the sound Of footsteps. She
listened; It was certainly John. Yes, It
was his step; and yet it fell on the wifs's
car with different sound from usual, and
Il was with an uncertain and almost hesi-
tating feeling that she rose to open the door.
"Is 1t you, John?" she asked before she
turned tho key.
"who else should it be? Open the door
quickly, and not keep me standing on the
steps all night"
Never before had John spoken in 50 abrupt
md hasty manner, and Catharine looked
at him in astonishment as she hastily did as
he desired.
"what Is the woman looking at?" he
exclaimed, in tho same harsh voice. "One
would think she never saw man before
Can not you give me some support"
"Your supper is ready, john" the wife
replied, mildly. She said no more, for her
heart was very full, and she could with diff.
ficulty restrain her tears. A moments re-
lection, however, restored her to composure.
very unusual must have occurred
to irritate her husband to 80 uncommon
degree. Il was her duty to endcavor to
soothe him into better state. With this
view, after placing his supper before him,
she chatted cheerfully concerning the little
incidents of the afternoon, of the pleasant
ten at fathers, of her disappointment that
he could not join them there, and how little
Johnny had wished his father had q piece
Of grandma's nice cake, and baby Kate had
seemed to miss him, when they returned
home, and would bo carried from room to
room Us If searching for something.
To oil this and much more, Wilder listen
cd in silence, and made no kindly response.
Catharine was sad, but not discouraged and
he left the table and threw himself in an
old fashioned chair, which was his favorite
seat, she seated herself upon q low stool at
his feet, and resting her head upon his knee,
looked afiectionately in his face as she whis-
pered:
"What is the matter, dear John? this is
the anniversary Of our marriage, and you
have not spoken one kind word toyour poor
little wife,"
This appeal in some degree restored Will
der to himself, and, indeed, tho nice cup Of
tea had already done him good.
"Never heed tonight, Kate" he said, 81
am tired and out Of sorts. To tell you the
truth, I was persuaded to take an extra
glass or two where I have been this after
noon. and II was little too much for me.
"My good supper has nearly set me right,
however, and nights rest will make oil
we'll. What is the matter now little wo-
man ?" he asked, rs Catharine sat notion
less, and made no response. al will treat
you as well as have done myself. Here is
the price of four glasses"
The money dropDd upon the floor as with
claspcd hands the wife exclaimed:
"My husband, dear husband, will you not
give 1t up altogether? 1t would bc but q
little sacrifice now; o believe me, II Is the
only sure course! Think of our dear chill.
drcn. Surely you will do 80 for their sakes." +"
"No no, foolish child, I will not give It
up, but will take care to keep within my
allowances in future. Two glasses day
never harmed any one."
Catharinc would havo urged him still fur
ther, but look Of impatiencc checked her,
and with secret prayer that he might nev-
er again DO led into temptation, she locked
her fears in her own bosom.
Long after her husband slept, her team
fell fast upon the pillow, as she looked at
her little ones and remembered her own mis-
cradle childhood, and her poor mothers un-
happy life and early death.
This was but the beginning Of sorows.
For another week all went well then
came q second excess. There was still some
good e1cuso-some peculiar circumstance
which Wilder said might never occur again.
But the path down hill isa slippcry one,
and Of quick descent. Before another year
had passed his unsteady habits were known
and commented upon by those who had res
pected him as Q thriving, industrious man.
Several timos he had been in the street In q
state little short Of absolute intoxication,
and his work often neglected, even at the
most busy scason Of the year. The parent,
n