Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-06-04
LADIES' DEPARTMENT..
Written for the Spirit of the Age.
ARTHUR WHITEi
Or
THE INEBRIATE.
BY FANNIE REDCLIFF.
Concluded from Our last.


Prov. Xxx CHI. v.
The door opened-a sprightly lad of
dark blue eyes, rich auburn curls, and a
beautiful yet melancholy face, enters. He
is apparently about nine years of age, and
and carries a small box under his arm
With a light and joyous step he runs, puts
his arms round his mothers neck and OK
claims" Oh mother, mother, I'm so
happy" "Well my boy, let me know
what il is makes your little heart so glad"
eyes, mother, / met this evening such a
good, kind man. He bought all my match
es-asked me where | lived, and whatyour
name was; said he had seen you several
times, and liked you for your dear good
face and neat dress told me to tell you
his wife was sick aud needed some one all
the time to read and talk TO her to keep
her spirits up, and, would be glad to have
you go. Now, dear mother, won't you
20 and live in the fine house with the rich
lady? You'll be so warm, you won't shiv-
or so when the cold wind blows, and you
won't have to sleep on this hard bed
And he said l might stay at his store
and -" In his childish vehemence he
was running on, but seeingthe tears in his
mothers eyes, stopped short and said
"Dear mother, what makes you cry Y'-
"They are onlytears of gratitude my love
but come, you must eat your cup Of milk
and bread, and then we will talk more a
bout it." She finished the garment and
laid it by, then sitting on the side Of the
low couch by her boy, his tiny, sunburnt
hands dasped in hers, conversed about
the kind gentleman. "Heis rich my son,
and may be very kind, but do you know
whether or not, he is a christian man p
ooh, yes, mother; every body talks
about pious, charitable Mr.. May; and eve
ry Sabbath l see him leading his little
daughter by the hand, up to that great
church, you know always thought so pref
ty, and loved to watch 50 when the sun
was gone; and told you the spire looked
like it almost touched heaven-the beau
tiful heaven you tell me 50 much of. Ma
zoe 90 there, mother ?" eyes, my son
if you don't stay with rude boys and speal
vain words, and always mind your mother
God will love you, and some day take yo
home to him" Home, mother Tn
is our home isn't it 2" "For the presen
my child but some day we must all di,
and then if we arc good we'll 60 to hea'
en-, and that will be our home lisa beav
tiful place, aud we'll never leave it." g
it pretty as that home I've heard you ia
about grieving to leave 50 much Al
will papa go to that home too-my nobl
handsome papa? p eyes, yes, my child
it is far %lovelier than any earthly home
There beautiful flowers bloom and nev,
never fade AWAY golden light foo
the Holy City, and there is'nos cold bIa
ting. Perhaps papa will 60 too"
why don't he come mother -? | woo
like TO see him. | wonder if he wor
know me now, you say | was such a "
baby when he saw me p "Maybe he
come to us some day, my poor, tender b
that has never -" but the poor won
could speak no mOre-her heart was
full. Falling on the couch, she batf
her pillow in tears. When she arose
was near midnight and little Arthur,
no doubt the reader has already conjectu.
it to be the child of Carrie White, |
fallen asleep. AS he unconsciously
dreaming of future JOY, a happy sn
curves his proud, pouting lips. She be
over him and speaks" sleep on my be
tiful boy, image of thy father. Oh
he could see thee now, and thy poor me
err, pale and weeping Ger thee woul
not touch his once tender heart, and br
him back to love and purity My heay
ly Father look in pity upon thy suffer
children bring back the wanderer f
the thorny path of error and crime,
restore him to hearts full of love for h
though he has so sally erred !" An
hushed their harps to listen, and meth
If it were possible-their eyes v
dewy with sympathetic tears,
Two days later, found Carrie Field,
assumed nancy and her only child,
mates of the hospitable mansion of G
May. His wife was an amiable, &c
creature, and was very kind to poor Ca
Their natures were ~congenial, and
the first they formed a strong attachr
for each other. Carrie had been wei
ucated and Mrs. May took great deligl
listening to her soft, clear voice, as
read to her daily. None could shake
her pillows aud make them feel so dc
as Carrie-none do up her wealth of
hair with SO much ease-none strok,
aching temples with so much softne.
Katie May, q sweet little girl of Q
six summers, called Carrie the lady
the sad eyes, and sometimes in fon
round her, would pull her hair dow
let 1t fall in golden waves around
shoulders, then c%lapping her hands I
ly, exclaim-"0h! how beautiful !
beautiful She looks just like a
girl, don't she, mama Z" With a lit
tention it would have curled as bea,
ly as in her ripper years, but Carrie h
desire to look pretty now, since
one who used to look on her in so
fondness was far away, perhaps dead
Mr.. May had come to like little
80 much for his ingenious nature IL
proposed to Mrs. Field, that he
send him to school. With many
Carrie told him it would be very o
ing to her, but she felt incompetent
pay him for so much kindness. q
mention that, my dear lady You
indispensable companion to my Hell,
are so kind and attentive to her til
should rather speak of my incompet
repay you. Arthur went to scho
astonished every one by his aptitud
an evening he would take Katie
hand, and sauntering out into the be
garden, tell her of the many things
learned during the day; always
u.4h-IT wiSb oouId po 200