Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-01-25
suppose" and Amelia smiled strange

| 'Oo not reprOtcn yOuTSell, OOCIOT, Sdld
Amelia in her sweet sad voice; "your time
is not your own, and although am always
only too happy to see my friends, l would
not for the world call them away from other
duties. If you have not been to see me,
your good wife has; and all that could be
done for my poor boy, her wisdom has done.
But no drugs or nursing can save him. l
feel he is called, and l count his heart
throbs; and, oh, God. although every one
of those slender throbS is dearer to me than
my life, yet feal that it is better as it is.
he must die; l feel it here, land she laid
her hand upon her heart, but God help me,
l would not have him live if could"
Ny wife was in tears but suddenly she
bursted forth in warm indignation.
Did you ever see any one so altered as
Amelia and all too in one year? She looks
now like a victim about to be sacrificed for
the sins of another, or an angel just ready
to depart for heaven, in company with her
pale, wasted babe. Look here, doctorr con-
tinued my wife, as she barred Amelia's white
arm. "a year ago this little arm was so
plump could not span it, and now see here
how my fingers lap each other. Why, a
puff of wind would blow her away, and she
works like slave, and starves herself to
death that she may have something ready
| for her husband to wear and to eat, when
he so far condescends as to pay her visit.
| Is it not too much? Now, doctor, do, that's
dear husband, do Join with me to urge
Amelia to leave all this wretchedness, and
come to our house, where she and her baby
can be nursed into health?"
With that my good wife fell to entreat-
ing her to leave the man who 50 i'll treated
and neglected her, and to the extent of my
eloquence, l urged upon the sorrowful little
woman, who with proud heart had suffered
and borne all manner of indignity and abuse
in uncomplaning silence, to make my home
hers.
But her reply was uttered in a sweet,
calm, though firm voice, ale is my husband !
l will never desert him."
''This is always her answer" said my
wife, passionatelv. "And no one would
know half the abuse and neglect she re-
ceives from the man she clings to so tenac-
iously, if they did not see it with their own
eyes. Not a word will she say, pcor child;
but I have seen enough, and too much, and
1 wish there was law to hang or drown
all such men,"
/ l could not help smiling at my w-ife's ear
nest Indignation; but finding that we could
not prevail upon Amelia to accompany lis
home, was compelled to leave her to attend
patient. first gave her what advice seem
cd best for both herself and boy taking my
wife under my arm, we both went away with
/ isaddcnad hearts and strange foreboding
in my own mind concerning Amelia, which l
could not shake off.
1t wa5 l2tc tl..2t night before was able
to return home After l had seen my wife
safely to our door, and left her to visit my
patients, I was Just undressing, weary ani
exhausted from professional duties, when
nv night bell was furiously rung.
! | raised the window and looked out, feel
ing too weary and tired and too much pro-
vokad to answer the door.
A man was standing upon the steps
Seeing me he exclaimed, ''For the love of
God, doctor, lose not a moment. My wife,
I Mrs. -, Amelia is dying"
/ The man who spoke, and whose thick
voice had not recognized, was the once
brilliant and successful Horace --.
A thrill of horror went through me. l
hastened on my clothes, and overlook the
unfortunate man who called me before he
had reached his miserable home.
at was L. said he, after recognizing me.
eI have done the deed. have killed my
patient, uncomplaining, angel wife. have
no defence to make. Let the law do with
me what it will am a miserable man and
do not wish to live"
"How was it? What have you done p
Perhaps it may not be too late to save her,"
said [, with a shudder, as l recollected my
forebodings when left the unhappy wife.
aNo, no." replied Horace, vehemently.-
"She has received her death blow, and by
my hand. 1t was not enough that l impov-
crished her, that l brought her to want and
wretchedness through my savage neglect
and beastIy habits, but must also take her
Door frail life. You ask how it was, doctor,
I am sober enough now, but l came home
tonight as usual savagely drunk. My sick
boy was in Amelia's arms and Amelia look
ed weary with fatigue; can remember it
all now. She seemed ready to faint-she
was so pale and evidently so exhausted
But snatched the child from her and threw
it on the bed, and ordered her to give me
some supper; for was famishing. Anne
LA replied in her meek, gentle tones, that
she had not much, but that she would give
me the best she had, and said something
about not having any money. And now L
think of it, believe the poor girl has not
tasted mouthful to-day, she seemed SO ut
terly exhausted.
"At my injunction to be quick, she totter-
ed to the cupboard and set before me few
slices of bread and little cold meat. l
, asked her if she called that a supper for a
man to eat. In my drunken, brutal rage l
swore at her, and then with my strong arm
felled her to the earth. What demon took
possession of me do not know. But she
, stood there looking so pale and ghost like,
, and so terrible a reproach to me, l could not
: bear the mute appeal of her eyes, or the
wan, spiritless expression of her face. The
devils of hell ragged in my heart and l
, smote her fair, gentle breast with my rude
hand. Instantly blood began to ooze from
. bor mouth yvoS on tho moment Sobpred