Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-12-22
CLEVELAND WEDNESDAY MORNING. DECEMBER %, 1853

of Annie's pure bosom, caused her to feel very
angry with Harvey, and she expostulated witt
him on his conduct, in warm and severe terms
In truth, she had OF late begun to observe hin
very narrowly. He was frequently ineoheren
in his language, very remiss in his engagements
even with herself, and sometimes absented him
self from his farm for whole days and nights -
Rumors also came to the shop, that he had beer
seen returning home on horseback in a very un
safe condition, and that, occasionally there werC
revelries at the farm, until an advanced hour II
the morning.
Filled with intense alarm-for Annie loved
him with an entire devotedness-she strove by
every winning and persuasive way in her pow.
er to lead him back to his former self Instine
lively she perceived the black, yawning gulf to
which he was rapidly fastening. Her hear
leaped to keep him from the horrid brink
Dear Frank" she would say, ''you are not
the same you used to be- Your face is paler,
and in the morning you are futterej You
know We women are quick in detecting changes
in those for whom we have any regard"
81 am not changed" he would careIessly re.
ply. "What makes you think SO I"
Annie shook her head, and intimated a good
deal that made her think so. At length, irTita-
! ted beyond endurance, she openly accused him
/ of being addicted to intemperanee. This brought
the blush of shame to his brow; but instead Of
bringing contrtion to his heart lie Wilfully mis-
appreciated her motives
81 am not to be schooled before marriage
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 !"
at lcas, " said Annie, 'but have altered my
mind, and shall speak to father about it."
Harvey had been drinking that morning and
was not in fit condition TO either talk or listen to
reason, and, as usual with such men, he flew
into passion, and charged Annie with loving
another
" do not love another" said Annie, with
some scorn IN her manner, but 1 will never
marry drunkard."
Harvey regarded her with some amazement
for a few seconds, and then bursting into a coarse
laugh, uttered some maudIin nonsense and tried
to take her hand, but Annie firmly repulsed
him, and left him to his own unpleasant medita-
tions.
Pshaw !" he mnttered to himself; she'll
soon come to- Besides, only take a glass in
moderation"
Thus deluding himself, he went on his way.
daily becoming less able to resist the dreadful,
dreadful habit that was coiling around him in
folds as strong as those of the boa constructor.
Annie prayed, entreated held up to him ex-
amples, warnings; and finding all of no avail, to
her fathers surprise, but not regret, she caused
the marriage to be postponed indefinitely The
natural purity Of her nature revolted at the idea
OF marrying man who had so far forgotten
himself 1t must be admitted that the neger-to-
be-forgotten pale face at the wicket-gate, seen
In the twilight, very much Influenced her de-
termination.
Have you and Frank quarreled," inquired
her father.
NO-that is, not much but he keeps too
much company, and l am afraid-' Annie
did not complete the sentence She still loved
the erring young man, and would not degrade
him in her parents eyes
Harvey, with all loves eoquence, pleaded for
reversal Of the sentence he promised con-
tnrrnity to all her wishes, even to taking a
pledge.
Annie, though her heart beat violently, was
"Why, we may all be dead in that time!'' he
exclaimed. Besides, isn't it better to SOW my
wild oats before marriage than after !"
Annie had been q great reader, so she indig-
nantly replied Wild oats indeed And do
you expect me to take for husband, a man
who has been soiled in all kinds of mirel You
might as well ask me to live in house with
out roof or windows. Harvey, you are much
mistaken if you think will give my hand to a
man who has not been able TO control himself
And, as to wild oats, plainly tell you, Frank,
that, simple country girl as am, know that
if man sows wild oats before marriage, he is
pretty sure to have an abundant crop of them
afterwards"