Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-09-08

Written FOR the Spirit ofthe Age.
THE LOST RECLAIMED.
CONCLUDED.

la the following Spring, after returned
to my place Of residence in the Eastern
portion OF the State, ] received from Mrs
Herbert a most inspiring letter. full ofhopc
and pride for her darling boy, announcino
that Henry had returned, that he had kept
his vow inyiola!c, and having taken Har.
riet for his bride, they had left for THEN
new home in the South.
Years passed on, and had often thought
OF Henry, of Harriet, of the solemn vow
so earnestly given and so faithfully kept
and often did | pray that Heaven would
grant him strength TO adhere with firmnes.
to that pledge through life with the same
tenacity that he kept it up to his brda
hour.
a year or two ago, removed my resi-
dence to one Of the Western Counties O
the State, adjacent to the one in which
lived Mrs. Herbert, and during the las
Fall determined on paying her visit
Accordingly, on bright October day
set out to pay my contemplated visit, anc
at the close Of tho second day found nv
self entering the long avenue that leads tc
the tasty and elegant mansion of Mrs. II
was received with cordiality and polite.
ness, and had not long been there before
saw two beautiful, rosy-cheeked children
playing on the paror floor; and soon Har
riet, the same beautiful and youthful pir
that had seen in that stately mansion
few years ago, entered, and without mott
eng my presence she said
"Henry, my son, your Pa is coming home
to see us, and will be here tomorrow.
and jumping to their feet the children
-Gtasped each other IN thair tinv arms. anc
shouted at the top OF their voices, s,-"Sissey
PAS coming"-"Buddy, PAS a coming."-
Delighted with the joyous news that thei
"Pa's was coming" they ran to the moth
err. who was gazing with fearful eyes upo
the happy countenances OF the dark-eye
Henry, and the rosy-cheeked, auburl
haired Harriet-perfect fac SMILES Of the
parents-they were soon grouped togethC
in one fond embrace, each vieing with tt
other in their demonstrations Of Joy at Il
return of the Husband and Father.
How long they would have remained
this attitude, had l not spoken, l kno
not but so high had my curiosity be
excited that | could restrain myself
longer. Advancing to the group, gent
laid my hand on the mother, and addr
sing her said-"llarriet, my daughter,
low one, who, in this same time-honor
spot, once participated with you in yC
soicitudes and auXieties in a scene VIII
has never been erased from my memo
TO ioin YOU now in your congratulate
and happiness at the expected visit OF h
whom YOU are proud to call-Husban
Iookinu up. She gave me a smile of
cognitiou, and taking my hand she pern
ted me to raise her from the floor, w
we took our seat by the side of the blaz
fire. 4 few words as to her health ant
10 those beautiful children, at the first 81
Of whom Iintuitively knew who theyw
NJ once inquired for the noble, the
ented Henry Herbert, whose depart
from that door had witnessed dc
wears before, so full OF hope and prom
4 hcsitancy on the part Of Harriet, N
me almost regret that | had asked
question. After considerable pause,
replied
-. II recog.,ze IN you, Mr. Graham
officious, intermcddling stranger. ldl
riosi.v, nor malicious spirit OF eXuIt
over down.Calleu greatness and manf
prompts not the inquiry you have I
You were the witness OF one of the p
est events of my existence, and to
will disclose the sad history of my life,
that joyful day, though it bring to
many scenes which have long striy
forget" And after heavy, deeP-c
sigh, she resumed:
"Henry Herbert kept that VOW, '
in your hearing and in the preser
high Heaven, he made, that he
touch not the Intoxicating cup un
came to claim me as his bride. Ret
Spring found him at my side free Fl
communicating touch. will be !
We were united in holy wedlock, a.
you been in reach, Mr.. Graham,
affirmed that sacred office should ha'
nerrormed by you. On the bridal
saw Henry take one glass-only ON
of wine with fair friend-anG IN
felt troubled at the sight l was S
20 ioiu them, but dared not-thal
ven, am clear of that sin. We re
here a very few days after our maj
Cor Henry had been very successtr
siness and had a large practice In
lesion, and could not therefore be
sont from it-before we started for
home in the South. The first ye'
nSer our heads on rosy pinions
o.econd VIC spent happily, oh hov
Duriug the third year OF our maj
f.anaent calls for long rides in al
rsather in the professional engag
W husband, induced him to int
ny n;r side-board the brandy decan
-, !,