Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-11-12
Original Sturp.
Written for the Spirit of the Age.
A TEETOTALER Or NO HUSBAND
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LIZZIE LEES CHOICE.
BY INVALID.
CHAPTER, I.

"No thank you-hai Mt time. l have
just run over to see if could ascertain the
correctness Of rumor which / have heard
from every man, woman and child that l
have met with this morning Tell me,
Lizzie, is it true that you hare given Frank
Jones bis guietRs, after being betrctbed for
several long months and just as every body
was on the guj Uice Of excitement in antici
patton of your approaching nuptials?"
"IIow very inquisitive this ubiquitous
parsonage, Mr.. Everybody, is d! L have
half mind not to crafty his impertincnt
curiosity; but for this one time guess |
had as well own up and acknowledge that
for once, at least, Madam Rumor has been
correct in the intelligence which she has
thought proper to communicate. Say, Is
that satisfactory"
"You surely jest 1t cannot be possible
that Lizzie Lee-the staid, sober Lizzie
Lee-she whom our Mammas uniformly
place before our eyes as an exampIar Of
propriety and virtue and whom our brothers
aud beaux point out to us as the very para
gon Of female excellence, is after all moth
ing but cold and heartless flirt-a syco-
phantic, scheming coquette !"
"Forbear, | beseech you /! BE not toe
hasty in your judgment, or you may at last
fud that your censure is unjust and prema-
ture. Suspend your verdict until you have
heard fhe circumstances leading to this,
/ must confess, somewhat abrupt consum-
nation, and which if you will step with me
10 nv chamber will take much pleasure
in detailing, IN erteaso, and without exag
geration, reservation or prevarication.'
"I have otter prior engagements which
ought by all means to be attended to this
morning, but so extremely anxious am
TO be iniated into the mysteries of tbi
denoument, that will 60 with you evel
though lose my reputation for punctuality
But be as expeditions as possible, if yo'
please"
"Here, my dear Lucy, in the seclusiol
Of nv chamber, can tear off the mask wit
which have concealed my real feeling
from the unfeelng gaze of those who ca
not appreciate them for notwithstanding
nv apparent levity and cheerfulness, m
bosom writhes with a severe and crut
wound. And let me tell you, you do M
great injustice if you suppose that l al
that light hearted and volatile creatuT
which YOU were so ungenorous as to intimate
Far. far from it. Never have l been al
tuated by purer and more honorable sent
ments than in thus terminating this b.
trotbal. which | have ever contemplate
with the fondest antcpations and upc
which have concentered my brightest an
dearest hopes. You have long been ava
Of the decided position which occupy
relation to the great Temperance Reform
and more than once you have heard II
avow my deliberate determination never
mite nv destinies to any, save an UNIV
verinr advocate, both in principle al
nractice. Of tho principles of Total Abs
nenee Such an one had every reason
sunpose Frank to be, and well was he co
vipced that such was my impression un
the evening before last The night had
advanced and was in the very act of l
tiring to my chamber when, IN passiIl
through the hall, ! was astonlshed at |
holding the street door unccremonious
onened by ono whom | soon recognized
NV pIighted lover did not fail to o
4
serve his unsteady steps as he approach
me, bat no suspicion was excited until
his saluting me in his usual affectionate a
tender manner. was astouDded, aye hor
fed, ut inhaliug that most nauseating of
odors, the sickeuing fumes Of brandy. II
n Spectre appeared suddenly before me
should not have been more petriEcd W
amazement. Nor did his subsequent
meanor at all abate my suspicion. Al;
the truth was too evident that he, yes, Il
he. my afhanced husband, the object UP
which had avished the pure wealth
virgin love, the idol upon whose altars
had laid the true oblations of a trusti
heart, was shudder now even to say
was intoxicated yes, Lucy Winst
he whose fealty to the cause of temperaK
| would have scorned to doubt, was dru
drunk to staggering! My God!
tongue was paralyzed in its socket, and
soon as could command sufficient langu'
to beg to be excused on the plea of S
den illness, fed to my chamber, ;
throwing myself upon my couch gave Y
TO my emotions by a tumultuous torren
grief. All night long tossed and tur
upon my sleep,ess pillow, and the b
world had long arisen before could c
mand sufficient composure to indite
ried note, frankly disclosing my pal