The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-09-16


hare been many hours after them. As she
wondered at his non-appearance, she was
troubled and not little vexed, for il was
one Of the pleasures Of their courtship this
tdsG-tae homewards on fine market days.
As she was walking along, her pensive
mood was disturbed by an object before
her, II was man reeling from one side Of
the road TO the other. Annie recognized In
him the village tailor, q shocking drunkard.
and with sensation of loathing she flew
past him. As she entered the village she
observed bis wife and three young children
standing at the wicket gate Of their humble
cottage, evidently waiting for his coming.
What coming! Annie's heart sank as
she kindly bade the woman good night, and,
when she had proceeded so ne distance, she
4 looked back and saw the poor wife still
looking /" for the coming"
H Annie did not sleep soundly that night.
aAn ANXIOUS ioreheding Weighed - naan> aes
EAenses, and when she did slumber she saw
u her perturbed dreams a pale, withered
face at wicket gate, looking down the
road, through scalding, binding tears, for
s0me one coming.
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 10 the pres.
ence Of others; but when they were alone,
she reproached him for his neglect on the
previous evening. Harvey, with q slight
blush, said be had missed the train.
a
ME, quietly.
"0nly one in fact, 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 them,
Annie looked her dissatisfaction as her
father emerged from the little parlor behind
the shop, and in hearty English way, inyi.
ted Harvey inside. The old man loved TO
hear oil he could about the market be had
ceased to attend, and what was stirring in
Liverpool.
Harvey, for q man, was an excellent
match for Annie In appearance. lie was q
tall, manly, good-looking fellow, Of about
four-and twenty, with slight dash Of rus.
ticity in his manners, and that rather en-.
hanced his boahommH. His features were
regular and shone with rude health, while
his dark eyes and black curly hair caused
many pretty maid to wish she had such
beau"
Forgiveness for bis first transgression was
not hard to obtain; but as the summer
months wore Un II was 30 often repeated,
that the once delightful meeting at the rail.
way station, was at length wholly relinquish-
cd, That, coupled with other matters OF
grave importance 10 the tranquility Of An
MES pure bosom, caused her to feel very
angry with Harvey, and she expostulated
with him on bis conduct In warm and severe
terms. In truth, she had OF late begun TO
observe him very narrowly. He was fre-
quently incoherent in bis language, very re.
miss in his engagements even with herself,
and sometimes absented himself from his
farm for whole days and nights. Rumors
also came 10 the shop that be had been seen
returning home on horseback in very un-
safe condition, and that occasionally there
were revelries at the farm until an advanced
hour 10 the morning.
Filled with intense alarm-for Annie low.
cd him with an entire devotedness-
strove by every winning and persuasive way
in her power TO lead him back 10 his former
self 1nstinctively she perceived the black,
yawning gulf to which be was rapidly has.
tening. Her heart leaped to keep him from
the borrid brink.
Dear Frank" she would say you are
not the same as you used TO be. Your face
Is paler, and 10 the morning you are fut-
tered. You know we women are quick in
detecting changes 10 those Tor whom we
have any regard"
ssI am not changed" be would carelessly
reply. What makes you think sos"
Annie shook her head and intimated
good deal that made her think 10. At
length, irritated beyonj endurance, she
openly accused him Of being addicted 10
intemperance This brought the blush Of
shame to bis brow; bat instead OF bringing
coutrition TO bis heart, be wilfully nisappre.
ciated ber motives.
"fam 10, TO be schoosed before marriage
time enough after" be said with asperity.
Time enough, certainly" replied Annie,
calmly 81 that ia, when you are married"
This somewhat staggered The reckless
young man, aOd be asked, " IL not our we'd !
ding day h1ed Tor New Years day nex.'"
at .nas," said Annie. "but have altered |
my mind, and shall speak TO father about IT,"
Harvey had been drinking that morning |
and was not 10 az state 10 either reason or !
listen to reason, and, a. usual with s1ch men, |
be few into passion, and charged Annie !
with loving another. -a
Il do DOT love another, said Annie, with |
sone scorn iD her manner, Ibat viii ssvW
marry drunkard % $751;
Harvey regarded her with some - !
ment for tew seccods, and tkeu bua(Iuw |
into eoArse laugh, uttered some mAsdfs |
n0psense and tried to take her hsnd, but |
Annie firmly repslsed him and lefs him 10 |