Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-04-16


and my strength fails too rapidly for me to re
count toyou my past career, or you might reaC
a lesson there which none but such as cal
teach."
now persuaded him to take q composing
draught, and that would wait its effects in thu
adjoining room. When he had swallowed tht
compound, We retired. While the wife ant
myself had been with the patient the daughter
had made up the fire, and when we returned
the room was quite comfortable. sent m,
boy TO procure the materials of good suppe
in neighboring Restorateur, under plea o
habit, after which, bidding him to return home
took seat near the mother, while the daugh
ter--whO now divested of her extra garments
displayed figure of the most perfect mould
and face that Venus might have envied-wa
engaged in preparing the supper. At my re
quest, the wife related to me the following
outline of her history
"My husband, ut the time Of our union, wa
possessed Ola handsome patrimony, which wa
increased bNmy private fortune. Our fami
lies were Nth ancient and respectable, all
OH the scorVf1f wealth and family, We had no
thing to fear. Surrounded by innumerabl
friends, who iattered our vanity, and encoilr
aged our extravaganza, the time flew rapid.
by, and at the eud offOurteen months becamI
the mother OiNfiat child. My husband loyet
me, and induiged me in every wish; and fo
several years, had no solid cause for one mo-
ments care; gave not the world thought
| further than for its enj0yments, and as the fu-
| ture II never CROSSED my mind. About this
| time, however, my husband, who had always
been very regular in his habits, became less so,
and now, many evenings were spentfrom home,
and at length whole nights were entirely passed
without his return. His cOuntenance wore Il
cast Of care, and he appeared less lively and
communicative than formerly; and when i
chided him good natnredly on his long and
repeated absence from home, he would answer
eYlsively, turn on his heel and leave me. This
wounded me deeply, hut kept it to myself,
and redoubled my eXertions to make his home
agreeable, in hopes that by that means, he
might be induced to spend more of his time
with me. But this had no effect, he would now
be away for days, and when he did return, his
eyes were blood shot, and his cheeks were pale.
| at this time had no real idea of his absence,
and my kind friends would tain make me be-
lieve he was devoted to another. This, it is
true, afflicted me much, but all my grief was
in secret, and / always met him on his return
with affection and gladness. This appeared
to wound him, and l noticed at times, when he
took his 'laughther on his knee, he would
smooth her hair and gaze upon her in sadness,
as ii sonessss& was prcying upon his mind.-
But il was only for an instant-he would put
her quietly down, pace to and fro the room,
hum or whistle tune, repeat poetic and prose
extracts, as IL to change the current of his
thoughts Oft have left the room on some
shallow pfetence, to hide my tears from him
and God above knows, how cheeriully would
have shared his troubles had he cOnhded in
me. Things had gone on in this way for up
wards Of year, when one day as | sat lost in
sad reflection, for my Julia was at school-a
gentleman was announced, who had been my
fathers bosom friend, and to whose charge |
had been committed on the death of my only
parent--l say only parent, for my mother died
shortly after | was born. l had ever looked
down on him in the light of a father and friend
and this visit was most gratifying to me, more
particularly so, as l had not seen him for
many months. embraced him affectionately,
and alter enquiring into the state Of his he alth
&C., Me 1snvorsation dropped, and for some
tilho 6y sgt ~ sfencr WAS however, aroused
from my foverie, by my asking guardian for my
husband. knew not what answer to make, as
lac had not been at home for three days. lie
noticed my embarrassment and said
"Mary Ann, it is useless to try and screen
him. am well acquainted with his career for
the past twelve months, and now come to advise
with you as to what course should be taken
therefore, | wish you to tell me all without re-
serve, as you know / am your friend and feel
for you the affection OF father"
l aid not hesitate longer, but opened my
whole soul to him. He listened attentively
until had finished, and then smoothing down
his eye brows with his fore finger and then as
was his custom when anything perplexed him,
said,
Then you really do not know what keeps
him from home ~
No, my dear sir" replied" am wholly
ignorant of how or where he passes his time.''
"Then, my DEAR" said he '' will tell you,
as think you should be acquainted with ii,
for, sooner or later, you will have sad evidence
of its truth. Your husband is gambler; and
at this time is engaged in playi an to all l
know to the contrary, may have lost every
cent he has in the world. / do not tell you this
from any bad motive, but to prepare you for
the worst"
"You have indeed, sr,' returned, serious
ly alarmed me and now can account for his
wishing to dispose of my fathers mansion,
few weeks since, TO which consented. What
will become Of my poor child"
''That should have been sooner thought Of"
he observed thoughttully ''and am much to
blame for not attending to it long since, as |
was acquainted with his first entrance into
those abodes of vice." He arose and took
turn or two about the room, then hastily taking
up his hat, said.-'' 1t may not be too late yet
i will go to him, and see what can be donel"
With that he left me. / will not pretend to
describe my feelings at learning, my husband,
was gambler--suilice it to say that they were
of the most acute character. | could eat no
dinner that day, and when my dear Julia, re-
turned home she found me in tears. At the
close of the day, my husband, returned to me,
but in state of mind, little short of madness.
He swore, he vowed ncoherently, he stamped
about the room and looked so wild that l was
1earfully alarmed. II was in this state Of things
that my guardian again made his appearance
and l then began to breathe more freely.
He looked sternly at my husband, as he en-
tered, but said nothing. This seemed to have
the desired effect, for he became more calm,
and soon sat himself in seat nearly oppo-
site my guardian.
"Well, Harry said the old gentleman, kind
ly, "I have not come to upbraid you, but
merely to ask what you have left, that can be
bestowed upon your daughter, to prevent her
from coming to want"
"Nothing nothing all all is gone 20 re-
piled my husband in tone OF the deepest mis-.
cry.
"Every thing, nothing left to keep your fam
lily from poverty 2" enquired my guardian
quickly.
"Not one cent. Even this house we must
quit on tomorrow, as it too was risked and
lost" My husband here pressed his head be-
tween both hands and sobbed aloud. l felt
was beggar, and that had been made such
by him. | saw the man whom / loved, the
father of my child, weeping like q woman,
could not withstand il few to embrace him,
and by every means in my power endeavored
to soothe his agonized feelings. When | had
in some measure pacifed him, my guardian re-
sumed the conversation.
" Do yOu think, Harry, you have had enough
gamblers, sharpers and blacklegs, and that you
will swear never to touch a card again, or risk
dollar except in the way of business, if
would put you in way to support your family
handsomely" 81 will" exclaimed my hus-
band, and rushing to the bible which lay on
table in the room, was onthe point oftaking an
oath to that effect, when my old friend stopped
him.
No oaths, / want none of them nor
will l rest contented with your word alone.
l want to see the proof in your future conduct