Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-02-18

dark and gloomy, and the heavy rain
beat against the windows of plainly
furnished room, where sat a young
woman, bending over some light work
which she held carelessly, as if she was
quite indifferent with regard to the pro-
gress which her finger made in its ac-
complishment. She was not thinking
of her work, it was evident, for occas-
ionally an angry flash would pass over
her face, and her great black eyes seemed
to gather new and intcnser brilliancy
from the thoughts which were passing
within. At length, as slow uncertain
step sounded on the walk without, she
threw down her work and pringiRgstg
the door, ci,efeoEit. vida passed
out into the stormy night. For a mo-
ment, so intense was the darkness, she
could see nothing, but becoming accus-
toned to the gloom she CROPPED her way
slowly down the little walk to the gate,
and there, half seated and half laying in
the wet grass, she found, as she had ex-
pected, the figure of man. Grasping
his arms with her whole strength, she
tried to raise him, and at length sue
ceeded. Having partially reused him.,
she at length got him into the house;
but not until her own garments, as we'll
as his, were drenched. through with the
pouring rain. The door was no sooner
closed upon them, than she relaxed her
hold; and he fell heavily to the floor.
Lie there, brute y she said, spurn-
ing him with her foot, as ifhe were q
loathsome reptile. "You enter no room
of mine, to-nightl'' He was already in
deep sleep, and she passed into her
room, closing and locking the door after
her, leaving him to rest as best he might
on his hard couch, in his wet clothing.
All! Marguerite Payson, the discipline
of sorrow is not yet completed! Still
deeper of the bitter cup thy spirit must
drink ere it becomes gentle and beauti
full as woman's should ever be.
The next morning when Frank Pay
sons drunken lethargy had passed away,
there was bitter strife between him and
his beautiful wife-and SO there had
been on similar occasions for months.
lie had married her because she was
the reputed heiress Of the rich Mr..
Clayton; but Frank Paysou's wife was
no longer considered as Mr.. Clayton's
daughter, and when he found that the
contested prize had eIuded his grasp, he
gave vent to his disappointment in
coarse oaths and curses, and did not al
tempt to conceal his real disposition.
On her part, the stubborn pride of
character which had led her into this
misery, rose up in fierce rebellion and
hatred toward him, and she made no eff
fort to lead her husband into Il better
way. And with this drcary cloud OF
shame and misery resting upon them,
they lived on, until poverty, deep and
hopeless, seemed likely to crush out
the wife's pride and life together.
Bending over rough cradle, pale
aud sorrow stricken woman sat, watch
ing with keenest anxiety the infant who
lay within, lest the feeble spark Of its
brief life should go out without her
knowledge and fervently, as the hot
tears fell, she prayed that God would
spare her child. Discarded by her faith
or, abused and left to starve by her hus-
band, what had she in the wide world to
bind her life but this tiny being, who
even now seemed about to pass from her
sight She could not die, and wildly
she prayed that her child mis- ght live.
that there might be one ray oflight to
cheer her darkened woe. just then her
husband, with ragged and disordcred
attire, and his unconlbcd hair streaming
over his bloated face, staggered into the
room.
II want some money! he growled
savagely. She did not notice him, but
bent yet closer to the sleeping child,
from whose face she did not for an in
slant remove her agonizcd gaze. Mag.
l say. are you deaf? Give me that
money you got yesterday" And he
laid his hand heavily upon her shoulder.
'I'ev no money for you,'' she said,
shaking him off "Go and beg!" And
again her eyes sought the calm, pure
face Of her child.
"You can't fool me 1 saw old Tur-
ncr come in here yesterday, aud l know
you've been doing some sewing for him
so give me the money, or Ill know the
reason" And with an oath he seized
her luxuriant hair, and sent the comb
which confined it, flying in dozen
pieces.
Starting up for an instant her eyes
blazing the old fire, which sorrow had
partially subducd.
Fool beast" she exclaimed, you
are not a man | have giOn you the
last cent you will ever get from my earn
ings, even if you die in the gutter for
the want of more J.
"Then I'll see what 1 can do to raise
the needfnl. Here take your precious
brat !" Selling the child, ere she could
spring to prevent it, he tossed it towards
her, and taking the cradle, started for
the door.
When the poor. distracted mother
lifted the babe from the floor, where it
lay motionless, her child was no longer
a feeble, suffering mortal; but freed
rejoicing spirit. Its head had struck the
sharp rocker Of the cradle in passing,
and thus, through murders terrible gate,
the immortal soul had passed upward.
It would be useless for me to try. for
my weak pen could never picture the
wild anguish of that mother, as she
pressed the little cold form to her bo-
som. For time the oser-t tried brain
trembled on the very verge of insanity ;
and fearful, blasphemous words escaped