Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-08-19

passed through the village in the after
noon, and he ought not to have beer
many hours after them. As she won
dered at his non-appearance she wa:
troubled and not little vexed, for i
was one of the pleasures of their court
ship this tete-d-tete homewards on fine
market days. As she was walking
along, her pensive mood was disturbed
by an object before her. It was a man
reeling from one side of the road to the
other. Annie recognized in him the
village tailor, shocking drunkard, and
with sensation of loathing she flew
past him. As she entered the village
she observed his wife and three young
children standing at the wicket gate Of
their humble cottage, evidently waiting
nie's heart sunk as she kindly bade the
woman good night, and when she had
proceeded some distance she looked
back and saw the poor wife still looking
for the coming.
Annie did not sleep soundly that
night. An anxious forboding weighing
upon her senses, and when she did slum-
ber she saw in her perturbed dreams a
pale, withered face at a wicket gate,
looking down the road, through scald-
ing, binding tears, for some one COM
ing.
In the morning Harvey called and
found Annie in the shop serving some
customers. She returned his cheerful
salutation with that reserve customary
with young ladies when addressed by
their lovers in the presence of others;
but, when they were alone, she reproach-
ed him for his neglect on the previous
evening, Harvey, with slight blush,
said he had missed the train.
"You mist have missed two," said
Annie quietly.
"Only one; in fact I was detained by
business beyond my usual time" was
the hurried reply.
What broad shoulders that same
business must have-to bear the enor-
nous load that is placed upon themI
Annie looked her dissatisfaction as
her father emerged from the little par
lor behind the shop, and, in hearty
English way, invited Harvey inside
The old man loved 10 hear all he could
about the market he had ceased to at
tend, and what was stirring in Liver
pool.
Harvey, for man was an excellent
match i,-fa=-Aaaie in appearance. He
was a tall, manly, good-looking young
fellow, of about four-and twenty, with
slight dash of rusticity in his manners,
and that rather enhanced his 6onhon1n,ie
His features were regular and shone
with rude health, while his dark eyes
and black curly hair caused many a
pretty maid to wish she had such a
beau
Forgiveness for his first transgression
was not difficult to obtain; but, as the
repeated, that the once delightful meet
ing at the railway station was at length
wholly relinquished. That, coupled
with other matters of grave import to
the tranquility of Aunie's pure bosom,
caused her to feel very angry with Har-
vey, and she expostulated with him on
his conduct in warm and severe terms
In truth, she had of late begun to OBJ
serve him very narrowly. He was fre-
quently incoherent in his language, very
remiss in his engagements even with
herself, and sometimes &bsented himself
from his farm for whole days and nights.
Rumors also came to the shop that he
had been seen returning home on horse
back in a very unsafe condition, and
that occasionally there were revelries at
the farm until an advanced hour in the
morning.
Filled with intense alarm-for Annie
loved him with an entire devotedness-
she strove by every winning and persua-
sive way in her power to lead him back
to his former self. Instinctively she
perceived the black, yawning gulf to
which he was rapidly fastening. Her
heart leaped to keep him away from the
horrid brink.
''Dear Frank" she would say, "you
are not the same as you used to be-
Your face is paler, and in the morning
you are futtered. ou know we wo-
men are quick in detecting changes in
those for whom we have any regard?'
stI am not changed" he would care
lessly reply. "What makes you think
SOP"
Annie shook her head and intimated
good deal that made her think So At
length, irritated beyond endurance, she
OpculJ dCCuSCu nun VI DclilS duulCIcu
to habits of ofintemperance. This brought
the blush of shame to his brow; but, in
stead of bringing contrition to his heart,
he willfully misappreciated her mo-
tives. ,..
Il am not to be schooled before mar
riage-time enough after" he said with
asperity.
''Time enough, certainly" replied
Annie, calmly, "that is when you are
married"
This somewhat staggered the reckless
young man, and he asked:
"Is not our wedding day fixed for New
Years day next?'
sit was" said Annie, ''but have al
tered my mind and shall speak to father
about it."
Harvey had been drinking that morn
ing, and was not in fit state to either
| reason or listen to reason, and, as usu-
al with such men, he flew into a pas
sion, and charged Annie with loving
another.
| "I do not love another" said Annie.