The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-01-21

saw W t,iC bSHuI w dppVtttt VhNsiUU
Was it. indeed, an angels wing that tonched
her as it went by, or did she look at the old
clock ticking above the mantel, see that the
hand was nearly on the hour Of twelve, and
bow to the hallowed influences Of the season
Who can tell
The poor wife arose from her char crossed
the room to her husband, touched him lightly
on the shoulder, and spoke one word
"Johnr'
He moved uneasily in his chair, reused
himself with a gesture Of impatience, and
replied gruffly -
!" / do not wish to be disturbed-what:"
For moment the same expression of
naughty pride which had been on the lips Of
Alice half an hour before. curled there again,
but it passed away, and she answered kind
ly;-
81 wish 10 talk with you, husband, for a
little while. See," and she pointed to the
clock over the mantel, "see, it is within a
few minutes ofmidnight. The year is pas
sing! Pray do not sleep-talk with me !"
There was something 50 unusual in this ad
dress, that the dull apathy OF the hard man
went of for a mnment, but it gathered again,
and he answered sneeringy, without looking
up
Alice Deforest, 90 70 bed | am in no
humor for talk, and do not wish to be dis
turbcd."
Was The wing Of the angel touching her
yet in its flight, or did the holy influence Of
the time still urge her fnrwards
John, dear John! have something 10
say Il you. DO listen 10 me !"
The dulled eyes opened, but they emitted
no cheerful or pleasant light. There was a
dull glare Of sensuaIity and repulsye feeling.
but he looked at her as he said:
"More Of your complaints, | suppose !!
Something more that has gone wrong !!
Something more that ! have done that DIS.
pleases your dainty ladyship..''
/" No, Julln, no." was The reply. with an
effort at seli-contrul that had never before
so convulsed that slight form, "but the New
Year is coming, and think that something
in both our lives should be changed. viii
you listen;"
peranre held partial possession Of John De-
forest, he might have melted at speech so
tender and 50 true. But this fiend, the last
usd wurst--has no mixture Of good tits evil
altogether. The sweet appeal was met with
sneer.
"0hho mistress 80 YOU feel that you are
getting the worst of it, do you! ! warned
you Of this long ago, but you had no ears to
listen! Why did you drive me 10 be what I
am, If you did not wish to drink the cup you
mixed yourself? They are too late, now,
mstress--all yoar fine words and New Years
eve repentanccs ;"
The poor wife flung herself on her knees
before bin, and burst into tears, as She said I:
- Oh. John, do not cast yourself and me
both away. " Ihaye been wrong will try
10 amend. aud If YOU will drink no more"
John Deforest rose from his chair, the
glare Of his bad passions in his eve, aud stood
over the kneeling woman with fierce aud
insulting energy.
/" So am TO begin the reform. am | You
wish me TO drink no more ] tell you, Alice
Defnrest, that love the cup thousand times
better than ever did you. You never sa
tisfied NV thirst-the cup never refuses me.
You refused to be moro than the shadow Of a
wife 70 mc-you lived life apar, in my
wealth you have been srnmbling. discon.
tented sharer in NV proverty. You have
clugged me like a millstnnc, aud all this is
too late late But YOU are ol piece with all
your whining, snariug bruod-you starye
and freeze the little chid that cries TO you
for warmth aud fnuj, aud when lie is dead
you mourn over him as i you had not MUIR
dcred him Let me hear no more of this. You
have made your bel Lie Oh il !"
Ifa aNWoits teins, I,,,I ,,as.,f 4, .n.i Al
hand Of the clock had passed tie hour of
twelve. All the old pride that 50 strong a
struggle had laid to sleep III the breast Of that
proud woman, started TO life again, and
fierce indignation oycrmastered her IS She
sprang TO her feet, and cried:
"Asyou say, then, John Delufesi, lei il be !!
! have humbled myself 60 ynu--reprubale-
drnnkard. as you have grown 10 be-
Was il the very demon Of intemprrance
and dissnlutc lie that possessed that man
once so nnblrs Could il be possible that his
hand was raised against woman, and that
woman his wife: Vet 80 il was As il with
a motion halt involuntary. half demonisc, the
elenchcd fist was raised. suspended 4 mo-
ment, but did not tall. The quick eve IL the
wife saw IL, her arms were Hung suddenly
upward as il that poor defence could avail
her, aud with a shuddrring cry She lcI sense
less to the floor.
How suddenly terrible excitement can
sober an Intoxicated man, when every other
means Of awakening him has faded! OHe
moment had nei elapsed from that 10 whirlt
poor Alice Delurcst sunk with that pitiuI rry
to the floor, before the husband vas sober
with every cross Jim cleared away from TIE
heart aud brain. On what scusttinn nl
abascment oyercame him! tirest Gud had
il come 10 this that he, who had unce held
communion with the gtest minds ur old. and
spoken Of kniebtly daring aud tllivalric ten.
drrness, should have Comr 70 bear the MUIR
derer's thought against the wife Of his busuini
No, no IL could not be Alas. yes-thcre
was the proof--the srnselcss ICrin before him
the pale, cold face.