Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-08-12

That may be true, Mr., Vernon, but a
man should be cautious how he speaks of
woman; his hearers are likely to fancy when
he throws out such sarcastic inuendoes that
he has not been so choice in his selection of
female society as his present pretension
would otherwise justify butt she continued
gaily, i do not wish to be too severe on my
dear coz ; | know that he's an innocent good
natured creature, and very harmless wlthal
and now, Harry, as an earnest of my good
intention, promise to do all in my power
to forward your suit in a certain quarter
Have l made the dnende honorable? asked
she archly.
Harry, with forced laugh, began turning
over the leaves of an Album, and busted
himself making caustic remarks upon the
sentiments therein expressed. Vernon look
ed on and formed his own conclusions. One
thing was certain, nothing more than cou-I
sinly lave axisae0 between Harry and Emily 4
"a snrile fitted over his expressive face; he
fecolIected that Manvefs had been whole
year within few miles Of -, the place
where his sisters school was situated.
Gus, you seem to be musing on an inter-
esting subject, to Judge from that smile on
your face said Harry with laugh.
i am responded Vernon. Would you
like to be informed of the matter in eogita-
ton p
% no, not particularly. | suppose that
it's something concerning me. Coz has al
most annihilated me; so with your permis-
sion we'll make our coRge.'
Twas Friday night; the elite of the Gre
scent City were assembled at the house of
the fashionable Mrs. Ward; music, dancin g
and other amusements were introduced. The
gay laugh and witty jest passed round. Sea-
ted at side table, carelessly handling some
elegant engravings is our eccentric friend,
Harry Manvers, listening with clinical smile
to the remarks of certain professor who was
holding forth on the beauties and usefulness
of animal magnetism. The learned gentle
man was interrupted in his harangue by an
offer of a glass of wine, which he most gra
ciously accepted.
; Miss Granville, allow me to present you 6
glass of wine,' said Vernon very politely.
Excuse me, sir, do not drink wine.'
Indeed l was not aware of that; per
haps l can prevail on you just to taste this
for the novelty of the thing urged Vernon
6 persuasively.
%, there's no use coaxing, Miss Granville,
; remarked young lady who was slipping the
delicious poison, perfectly unconscious of it,
; deadly tendency; she long since sacrificed
social feeling to prejudice
: 'And is it really so, Miss Granville p in
: quired Vernon in surprise. DO you advocate
total abstinence?
. 4 do, sir; is there anything so remarkable
: in thatH
'Yes, Miss, very remarkable and very odd
: Why young lady in your sphere should at
tempt to oppose long established usage doe
astonish me. l hope he continued smiling
that you do not fear becoming a votary o
Bacchus. Pardon me, Miss Granville, m.
thoughtless observations are not agreeable t.
YOU --.,
Mr.. Vernon said Emily earnestly, 'thi
is q subject that l do not like jesting upon
: may never become a votary of Bacchus-a
l. all events shall try to keep from temptation
- nor will / in any way encourage it in 9th
= ers. l am from principle opposed to socie
= wine drinking. Why cannot we enjoy oul
> selves in the society of the intellectual an
y good without artificial stimulants? Win
q y drinking can do no good, but you will N
" deny that it does much HARM
4 admit, Miss Granville, that when it
- - carried to excess, the practice is Injurious
~ but do you think that there's any fear for m
~ 40 for instance, ever becoming so fond of it tn
oSs / cannot when think proper abstain?
Vi VI Mr.. Vernon, shall not presume to cons
Is tute myself your judge; but as you have p
~ y the question will say that think emit
- - abstinence the best PLAN
et 'Heigho hear COZ how she's moralizin
~" ~. exclaimed Harry gaily. DO he added,
"y fering her wine, do just take one drop
-. please me-
io9 I9 Laugh as much as you choose, respond
Emily in calm tone, i shall let you {
that have the moral courage to combat yc
ns sneers. Ridicule shall not deter me fro
l.. doing what ] consider my duty. Ifmy
ms ~! ample and influence rescue one human bel
l MS from degradation, will feel that have
oz' lived in vain As the sweet girl conclud
,as , her eye encountered Vernon's impassior
ler gaze That look told her the secret of
on. heart she felt that he loved her, and
Our in that moment determined, ere her he
,ho became too deeply interested to make hir
sue suo convert to her views and if she could
nus succeed in that, to Danish him entirely Fl
her thoughts.