Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-10-22
Written for the Spirit of the Age.

1t was in the city Of New York, that the
following transactions occurred. In that
virtue and happiness, crime and mise
~ are presented in all the various phases OF
life ; and there you may see the veal
thy nabob and the poverty-stricken beggar.
In a mansion which looked more like a
nobleman's palace than a republicans dwell
and in q room gaudily furnished, were
seated a lady and gentleman on the richly
cushioned sofa, and the terms in which they
addressed each other, proclaimed them to be
Of that much written class, lovers.
"Why postpone it, dear Ellen 2"
"Because | wish it to be so for some good
cause"
You should not punish me so. dear FL
len; your aunt ard brother consents to our
union and why delay it longer? ?"
Henry, | beg you to desist from the sub.
ject at present. You know Y would not will
lingly cause you pain"
"Well, Ellen, if it must be so, l submit"
"Thank you, Henry, l hope you will not
have cause to regret my determinations
Here let us leave the lovers to themselves and
explain.
Ellen Perry was an orphan, eighteen years
of age, handsome and possessed of a goodly
share of this worlds treasure. She had
! msay admirers and would-bel -srs- fanu
who that is rich, has not She and her
brother George had been reared by Mrs.
Blanton, a maternal aunt, their parents hav-
ing died when they were very young, leaving
to each a fortune.
Henry Raymond was three and twenty
when we introduce him to the readers. His
father was a wholesalede dealer in China, Glass
ware, &c., and had the reputation of being a
millionaire. Henry had received a good col
legiate education, having graduated with dis
tJnctinn tWA wars Ornyi0net r. n oOpap M q Oon. |
! ment. of a joyial nature, there was no
pleasure trips to be taken, but Henry was
, , in for it : he was a general favorite with
society, and many a young lady envied Ellen
for having gained the handsome and wealthy
. Henry Raymond.
7 Henry was seated in his office one day,
7 when a boy entered and handed him a note,
he opened and read:
DR.. III. RAYMOND: Sir--Accept our com
/ ~pliments and requests, for you to be with us
an our fishing trip, tomorrow afternoon at
Y one o'clock. GEO. WALTON.
Is VIM. SAUNDERS.
lie decided to go, if Ellen was to be of the
y party, and he was sure she would. Fishing
, was a delightful pastime to Henry, and he
!" promised himself much pleasure on the NOR
~ row. Alas! how futile are, human hopes
III Ellen had postponed her union with Hen
ry for q very ~weighty consideration; she
20 had heard it whispered that he allowed him
~ self to be overcome by the great enemy OF
= mankind, and frequently had been seen to
e enter fashionable drinking houses in compa
IS ny with two of his friends (?) (these two
ne friends were George Walton and VIM. Saun
'r' ders.) Ellen saw his danger and trembleG
I'm for his safety, but her loving heart determin
80 ed to save him. For this reason she post
ia poned her marriage she shuddered at the
VI idea of being a drunkard's wife.
oT George Perry demonstrated with his siste
for trit1ing, as he called it, with Henry. H
nS did not believe the report of Henry, but Ell
ice len was determined she would not unit
~ ~ herself to a man forever, Notwithstanding sh
Tue loved him, till she proved him. George f
j. nally agreed with her and acknowledged til
Iue wisdom Of her course.
spI To morrow came, and the gay and laugh
- s0 ing party entered 9 smalL saSsg and staEte
Der ty consisted Of ten persons, Ave of 'eithe
ing sex, and surely there never was a NOR
cheerful, gay or agreeable party. Each wa
lhu equipped for fishing and each one was goin
ner to catch the first fish, one was going to cate
lto[ a shark, another a whale, another a mermai,
ol some kind or other was in view by all
them.
George Walton had placed on board son
q wine, a fashionable drink, as he called it,.
Wonderful, indeed, how often some of the
were thirsty, Henry among the rest.
e. fishing and frolic the day wore away al
night coming on, it was decided to retu
tor home. Neither sharks, whales nor mermai
d to hao been caught, put a rev OF lesser sorts
zone aquatic animals had been induced to lea
wri- their native element. With a good bree
lion they started homewards they hal perha
!, 40 run half the distance, when Henry arose a
the walked forward, his unsteady gaze and sws
Won gering step proclaimed his situation. Ell
a an now saw him for the first time, DRUNK /
I fear was, alas too soon realized her bril
all q hopes, which she had INDUCED in in prosp
won of her union with him, were suddenly snat,
ed from her a mighty avalanche, as it we
had swept over her, crushing all her happ
N built castles into one general ruin.
Oh who can portray the horror of tt
word, drunk Young man, you who
well now perhaps for the first time tasting of
las a sparkling bowl. pause and reflect. May
L she you have a mother, one who has taught J
leas- to reverence your God and to lisp your inf
rom prayers, one who now loves you and hopes
see you a useful and honorable member
society. If SO, what do you suppose wo
.ge be her feelings to see you drunk You n
not say you do not get drunk; that is no
euse for you, as sure as you drink of into
eating liquors you will one day becom
th. drunkard. This is no idle appeal it col
from the heart of the writer; he having
sun the curse Of rum, would caution others Fl
tasting of the wine cup.
veil. The reader will forgive these de~sultory
marks, and we return at once to our fish
party. Henry leaned against the railing
lth, the vessel, gazing in the foaming waves,
now fully realized his situation; how &C
he, he asked himself, meet Ellen, after
ing disgraced himself before the party
yes SO Clouds were gathering above them and
rey Jones, one of the party, said they VIZ
Night. have a blow but as they only had about
miles to run there was no fear.
18th. Hold FAST" cried Carey, who was
only sailor on board, but the order came
late for Henry he had fallen asleep,
being reused by the loud voice of Carey
I'd be. jumped up, a squall struck them, the W
me. ~careened and Henry was precipitated into
water. Ellen uttered a scream and
nth. fainting in the arms of her brother Get
ADELAIDE Philips soou restored her, with
orn assistance of the others, but the shock
too great and she tainted again. Carey
Immediately turned the boat and they
q hair retracing their course. In a few mon
Henry was soon swimming towards then
had been completely sobered by his i'm
sion, and being a good WINNIE ne got a
friend very well, until they could get him on b,
he fol- which was soon done, and once more