The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-07-15

dusky light of one small lamp, sat Adela
straining her tear-dimmed eyes to finisl
the garment upon which she had beer
stitching since early dawn. The non ar
rival of her husband did not alarm her
for very often we're his nights spent il
those gateways to eternal ruin through
which thousands annually enter but tc
plunge into the dead sea beyond.
Often was she obliged to Icy down hel
work, for the tears fell so thick and fast
as to blind her entirely; for memory wa,
busy at her heart, and, in the gloom and
darkness of that little room, she was liv
ing over the last ten years that had been
added to her young life.
Away back through the long vista, she
beheld fair, fragile girl, the only bud
upon the parent stem, and on that account
all the more tcnderly cherished surroun-
ded by every appliance that parental af-
fectiou could suggest, until another came
aud bore her away, to be cherished and
worn on bis bosom, as she then thought,
the end of lfe's journey. Again in mem
ory she wept over her fathers grave--.
that kind father, who, had he lived, mig
now shield her from cruel want; again
she saw her mother, bearing bravey up
for short season against the cruel stroke
that swept away her only meaps of sup
port; but at length, sinking down be-
meath consumption's fatal grippe, until her
loved form was laid beside that of the
husband and father, and she was left to
tread her future, dark, dreary path, with
none to counsel, encourage or assist.
Then she thought Of all the sorrows,
and privations, and suferings of the last
few years. and al! caused by him who
once professed to love her more than life
him whom she felt she still loved more
than all things else, even though in mo-
ment of anger she had uttered the dread
full wish that he were dead; and that fear
ful imprecation rose up before her she
shuddered, lest it might be fulfilled.
"Oh, if be should die before l ever see
him again, | could not survive the panes
of regret that my rash temper has caused
me. God forgive me that terrible sin,
and will try henceforth to Set seal of
patience upon my lips and instiuctively
ere she was aware, Adela dropped upon
her knees, and poured out her soul to
Him who alone is near when all other
belp fails.
a peaceful calm filed her soul as Ade-
la laid her weary head upon her pillow
that night, and she resolved to com uence
new life; and if she could not be the
means of recaimiDg her erring husband,
she would instruct her children in those
paths that eventually lead to eternal life.
She arose in the morning, and knelt again
and prayed for strength to support her
in every trial that might lay before her
that day, aud then calmly prepared to
enter again upon her unceasing toll.
And divine strength was needed. To-
wards right letter was brought ber by
the post, aud with trembling hands she
broke the seal and read as follows
"Adels, Yesterday you wished me
dead. and if your wish cannot be imme-
diately granted in full, it shall in part at
least have shipped on board "mau-
of-war," and will never trouble you with
my presence again. WILLIAM"
Adela gave one wild shrek, and fell
fainting to the floor. Her little children
clung, frightened aud crying to ber IMAM
innate form-believing her dead-but the
eldest, bright, noble boy Of nine years,
with the thougbtfulness of maturer age,
brought water and bstbed her face and
cbafed her hands until animation was re-
stored and she sat once more in her chair
with all the depth of her misery pictured
upon her pale face. Not one word or to-
ken of love, or even regret at parting
from her, who had borne and suffered SO
much for hin-vith no thought of wife,
or home, in bis heart, save of
rash words that bis cruelty had called
from her lips, he bad gone-gone, mever
to return. Aud she had driven him a.
way. Oh, what would she not now give 4
to recall him once more to her side
how she would work day and night for
him and utter no complaint.
After the first shock of her agony had
subsidized, Adela began to think of her
she to do! she sought help from heaven,
and found strength and peace in seeking
It.
There were few brave hearts who
had stood uObly by her side when misfor-
,une's adverse winds swept over her de-
1oted head, otherwise she could not, with
ler feeble health, have kept starvation
rom her door. Through the exertions
If these friends Adela was supplied with
is much sewing as she could do, and lib
,rally paid for her labor; and her little
Willie engaged as errand boy for trades
nan, who paid him small salary-e-
lough to furnish his clothes for the hrst
next it was doubled, as the
radesman found bin faithful and trust'
worthy; SO that Adela, with the expense
If her husband removed DOW gained
comfortable support for herself and little
,Des.
Three years passed away and no IT,
Iings of the absent husband had been re-