Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-10-29

upOn nedd. Iney are gone, never,
never to return.
Say not 50, my love- replied. Mrs. La
verne; only be sober and steady. and all
viii be well. Heaven helps those who helD
themselves, and Providence VII provide
for rs if we viii endeavor to merit its bles-
sing. Let US strive to merit it. God has
given to our keeping this our child let Us
labor to rear and educate her. She is weak
and helpless now, and it is our duty to
cherish her. Hereafter she may repay us
with interest Only promise me, nv hus-
band, that you viii no more visit the tip
ling places, and you know not how happy
shall be.
You know not what you ask, nv wife. J
sd Mr. Layerne, sorrowfully. How of
EaS3 pade 1'aat promise az broken
E! | am afraid to promise | cannot
rely upon my own strength. But will
try once more. [ will see if I cannot OBJ
tain some employment something that
will at least obtain food for you and Ma.
rion.'
Mrs. Laverne pressed her lips to his, and
little Marion threw her arms around bis
neck, and the tears of all three were min
gled together.
With a heart trembling with hopes and
fears, Mrs. Laverne could not bear to ask
her what provisions she had, but he watched
to S e. Alas after doing her best, she
could only produce little corn bread and
some fried meat, with cup of coffee with
out sugar. Each was anxious TO see the
others eat, but none ate too much. After
supper was over, Mrs. Laverne produced
candle, lighted it. and brought her husband
book. He read and conversed till hec
time. while the anxious heart of his devo
ted wife thrilled with strange minglins
of doubts and hopes, joys and fears.
The next morning Mr. Laverne wen
forth to seek employment. He tried t,
procure clerkship in some store; but NJ
one had confidence in him, and all put hin
Oft with some Aimsy excuse. In vain b,
promised to be sober and steady, in vail
he abased himself to declare the sufferin.
condition of his family In vain he sough
employment of any kind-no one wante,
his services. How could he bear to return
home and tell his tale Of disappointment
He knew his wife and child were suffering
aye, suffering even for food in this land 0
plenty-and it wrung his heart to thin
that he could give them no relief. De
based, besotted as he was, he still retaine
his sensitive feelings and cherished hi
love for his family He was ready an
willing to labor for them, to toll and sut
fer for them; but he could get nothing t
! do.
Oh better for him that he had sougl
his humble home, desolate and wretched a
he had rendered it, than to have gone agai
+ 10 drown his misery In the burning sea
rum. Yes, he entered one of those |
censed holes where the vilest and mos
abandoned resort. The cellar was te
respectable place for him now to enter
for he had no money, and his only chant
was to drink what others bought-mea
bald-face, of which dime would procu
enough to poison half dozen.
And this was Horace Laverne, the on
noble and talented man, the affectiona
husband and father, the respected al
honored citizen. Self-poisoned, self-de
troyed, the upbraidings of conscience re
dered his heart hell and it was Only
! continuing the course that had reduced b
} to this state that be could bear to ive.-
Such is the atmosphere Of vice, that, VIII
once accustomed to breathe it, we fear
inhale the pure air of virtue and with
| perverseness as accountable as it is destrr
/ tive, We plunge still deeper and deeper
3 escape the mental torture already produce
obiterating wretchedness by still great
wrctchedness, and expclling sufferings
! sufferings still more intense.