Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-05-28

as he drew her fair arm through his, and o.
imprinted a kiss on her cheek. The very b
spirit of happiness seemed to brood over II
this lovely cottage, downin the quiet noun Q
tain glen-wOuld that itcould always prove t
i~mpregnable to temptation, sorrow and re- r
morse ! |
Arthur and Carrie reached the hall door t
Just in time to welcome Mrs. Waters and i
Fannie. I
The other quests arrived soon after, and
there was a scene of f~estivity and enjoy
ment; 1
Soft eyes looked love to eyes that spake
again,
And all went merry as a marriage bell"
Some were wandering by the river
som in the grove-some seated in the
cOmmodious parlor-and some chatting
merrily on the broad verandah. There
was one form however which seemed to
cast shadow wherever it moved-this was
a tall man with shaggy eyebrows, dark,
piercing eyes, thin compressed lips, and
a heavy beard. l am sorry to say some OF
Arthur Whites friends were the kind of
men who indulge themselves witha glass of
wine after meals, and ss9mssaflnha Sad efteaRgs ff
man-Arthur's friend (9) and co-partner
IN business. Knowing this Arthur had his
wines set out, though he never drank any.
Carrie with a group of lady friends is
sitting by one of theopen windows leading
from the piazza into the parlor, telling them
OF her married life-how bright and Joy
Gus 1t has been, while the moonbeams and
the rays of light from the lamps meet and
mlngleat her feet in shreds of silver. Sud
denly a dark shadow seemed to fall on the
moor just before her, and on looking up she
saw a thick, murky cloud overshadow the
moon-then lookingin at the window, saw
MI South standing between herself and
the lamp, and her husband by his side
Inc wind on passing through bore to hel
ear the words-"Dr just one it can be nc
harm. Don't let little Mrs. White Fighter
you out of such an enjoyment" He was
about to raise the cup to his lips, but feel
ing MS elbow touched, turned, and seeing
his wife smlled-an uneasy smile.
Don't, oh! don't Arthur, for the SAX
OF your wife and all you hold dear. Re
member poor William" and with a plead
ing look she turned away. He replacedt tn,
cup on the table and was etreating to wher,
his wife stood, but on Mr.. South saving
Come White, [ know you won't refuse +
take a glass with an old friend in your owl
house" he turned, took ND the Gun reso
lutelyand said" surely there can be n
harm" and drained it to the dregs. Then
oh the malicious smile South drowned il
| the ruby wine! Carrie turned Justin tim
to see Arthur drain the last drop A sud
3 den palor overspread her countenance. an,
7 her lip almost bled from the severe pressur
OF her teeth upon it but she conquere,
7 herself, and none saw the one scalding dro
, that gllstened but a momen on her cheek
T tor that one glass. She knew its influence
I AT a late hour the visitors took leave
Mr.. South was the last, and as he handle
the pale and emaciated Mrs. s.
into the chaise, he remarked-"I hope t
see you early tomorrow, on urgent. bus
: ness White ; and Mrs. White l trustSyou'
lI-not w-vfAsO-y %
e see ne can abstain from more" She di
4 not reply, for he was gone. He knew h
7 had left a cloud Ger her heart, but wha
: did he care His life was clouded. VIII,
not hers be as well Oh deluded man
II you think wealth can satisfy your era
, wing soul F.! Swindle from this unsusni
clous man all he has, and then YOUR or
, Will be for more more! more
, When they were gone, Carrie, ran an
, threw herself upon her husbands bosom
! but he seemed to shrink from her, and sh
arose with a great struggle and spok
, calmly. He saw her embarrassment, an
! his heart being touched with sorrow forth
wrong he had done her, drew her to hir
and tried to speak ONE words of comfort
MY dear wife, you know it was merel
to crafty a friend that / did it do nc
) love wine and never intend to touch more.
Her eyes smiled on him through a Shove
: OF happy tears, and both felt relieved bu
That night In her dreams the foul serDen
came to their happy home, wound himsel
round her husband in a vice-like grasp
n all In vain were her efforts to releas
aim from It's destinations, while adark fen
stood by, scotfed and Knocked at her.
! 1t Is useless to tell how, step by ste1
this once noble man was led on by the viii
influence of a pretended friend down
! down, into the dark abyss of ruin and dec
+, radiation. Suffice it to say he continued
; after much persuasion, to drink one glas
} a day" just to crafty a friend" till a
: last ne learned to love it, and then indu]
ged more and more. He began to evince j
! under the gaze of his pure wife, and absen
J ted himself until late at night from tn
, home she tried to make cheerful and invi
t ting to him. Often at nightfal might tn
once merry, happy Carrie now be seen sit
ting on the doorstep, her pale face reclin
ing on her wasted hand, and the cold tea
drop standing on the blue cavern unde
her once bright eye. No gaze of expecta
ton was turned down the road, for he ha,
forgotten there was one who watched hi
coming. The vines of the arbor had al
most overgrown the ~unfrequented entranc
and the air was burdened with sighs.-
Twas not in has presence that Carrie in
dulged her grief no; then she alway
tried to appear cheerful and happy. He
: sweetness of temper did not burn with
! transient light, but with the steady glor
OF the morning star yet, all in vain di,
she bestow kindness and caresses on him
for them, he returned rough words, an,
all her pleadings-threats. Nightly wer
the lamps of heaven lit, but not to guild,
T the inebriate home; for oft times Just a
the rosy morn was peeping in upon the ex
; hausted watcher stealing a few moment
! repose to strengthen her for greater trial
" a