Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1857-01-23

with false hopes. IT, you really love me
come TO me some future day-your own
heart will tell you when, and give me
some assurance that from this time you
have taken no Intoxicating drink, and
we may again be to each other as we
were a few days ago.
'Hcven bless You for that answered
Philip. fetching deep breath, you
have saved me. Had you cast me off,
there is no telling what my desperation
would have led to. But now promise
never to touch strong liquor of any sort
again. He took Mary's hand, which
this time was not refused. and was
about to press her to his heart; but
checking himself, as though the endev-
! or were to be the first step in his prom
ised course Of discipline, he uttered a
hastcy farewell and left the house. AS
the sound Of his footsteps died away in
the distance, panS shot through Mary 5
heart, and the consciousness of having
acted for the best was for time too
feeble to repress the tears that started to
her eyes.
Six months passed away without.
bringing any news of Philip. He had
not been seen at his usual place Of work
since the unhappy frolic which cost
him so dear. nor had he once written to
say what he was doing. The winter
came and went, snowlrops and prim-
roses showed their pal, blossoms in the
ga,deas and hedgelovs, but still no It'd.
inss of Philip. Mary it was observed.
looking pale, and less chcarful than she
used to be; and though pcrscvcring
quietly in her business, and APPARENTLY
rcconciled to the disappointment Of her
hopes. there were anxious moments when
she thought of the evening when she
and Philip last met. About the mid
die of April. word was brouy yht to Lap
pinston OF tn ath of pi!ips late en-
ployer. aud that a young man from
country town was coming to take the
5ulsncss. No one had heard the new
eomer's name and while Mary sat at
her work one afternoon, thinking
Waer,her the chance would bring her ,
any Intelligence Of him whose memory
was dcar.r to her than she would con-
fess even to hcrselt-a horse drawing
light spring cart stopped opposite the
window. On the side Of the vehicle was
written. PHiLIP HARRIS PLUMER AND
GLAZi ER, man WHO'S, back was turned .
towards ner had just alighted ; he turned
round-it was Philip. In the joy Of her
heart she ran and opened the door, and
then not knowing under the circumstan-
ces they met, SIT down in her little work ,
room, as Philip, who ha come in, took
what appeared to be a letter from his /
pocket an placed it in her h'nds. 1t
WAS certificate signed by the County
Temperance Society, declaring that Pill
lp had been consistent member from
the time he first joined, nearly six
months before, and by his perseveriny
endeavors had reclaimed several young
men from drinking habits. lie stood .
and watched her as she rcad-hcr breath
came short-her cheek tlushed-and
when she raised her eyes to his they
were filled with tears, not of grief, but OF
the purcst joy.
Your own word would have been
enough she said as he clasped her in
his arms. Their hearts rushed together, !
and in the embrace the great sorrow of
their lives was forgotten.
Need we relate what followed Mary
was close at hand, and brought on anoth-
cr wedding day. The sun shone so
bri,y ht as in fha former wear the bells !
rang as merrily, ant. the hum of the bees
was not less gladstone. The miller was
there too, and as the happy pair drove
off in the phaeton hired for the occasion,
he turned to the sexton, and said in his
hearty tone, She deserves all he could
do for her and more. If a young fellow |
could not give up drink for il wife as
good as she is good looking, he ought
never to have wife at all