True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-06-09

left their traces upon his features still,
there were present the remnants of re-
markable beauty; and though his eyes
sank before the stern look of Harry Her.
bert, he struggled to control his inward
emotions, and 10 put on an air Of hardi-
hood. lie even attempted TO extend his
hand but Harry seemed to not perceive
it, as, in naughty tone he inquired,
"How is it that see yOu here? here, in
The presence of the woman you have out.
ragged, and the child you have disgraced?"
"Whe rever my wife is. there | have
right to be !" said the rufian, with de.
fant gesture; "and | dare you, lawyer
as you are, to put me out !"
IL am here, sir !" Indignantly exclaim-
ed Harry. "to protect my sister i" A low
sigh might have been heard, but those
within the chamber were too much excl
ted TO notice it.
"Shc married you much against my
advice, for your youth gave no good
promise but had known even 1.-THE of
her distress, you should never have had
the opportunity to Oppress her, as you
have done !"
"You dare not prevent my doing wha,
please with my own. She is my prop.
erty, as much as if she were my dog, or
my horse. | can chastise either as 1
please" "Miscreant twice you have
roobed your poor victim of her home;
twice driven her forth with her child,
friendless and homeless p
"Why didn't her friends take her in 7"
"Becauae they did not choose to shelter
you" "Ay, wherever she was l could
not be refused admiltance
"We will help her, but we will not
support you."
"Wherever she has a home, there
go. Whatever she earns, put in my
pocket, and no law nor judge can prevent
me-"
"And this is your determination :"
ut is."
"This day, released from degrading
punishment for brutal assault upon your
helpless wife, you return for the third
time to renew your persecution 7"
"Tis my right, if choose to do it,
| don't say that mean to do it; but, if |
choose, | can"
"And SO, because your former friends
are disguised with your conduct, and
society closes its doors against you, you
presume to believe that your victim will
still receive you! ;"
"Sbe can't help herself-she must,
whether she likes it or no! and he
laughed mocking laugh, "She has no
resource but the workhouse, and don't
suppose her relations will let her become
a pauper to get rid Of me-"
"Better that than your slave, Frank,
exclaimed Alice.
"Be silent. woman" shouted Frank,
"and speak when you're spoken to-"
Such was, indeed, the law" said the
young counsellor but, by the document
I hold in my hand, all that is altered
She has appealed to the court, and she
is now relieved from your tyranny
Only by her own weakness can she ever
again be subjected to your vile presence.
Cheer up, Alice, for she had sunk,
trembling, into chair, ,-'none dare now
modest you. Be but true 10 yourself, and
the laws of your country will finally
relieve you from an unworthy husband"
Frank looked from one TO the other
doubtingly. "Is this true, Alice!
know you would not deceive me -
"Quite true, Frank. You know my
provocation
ayes, yes don't deny I've been ;
villain to you'll"
Harry put into his hands legal docu
ment. Frank slowly read it to the end
then it dropped upon the floor.
"Will you, then, cast me off! Car
you, Alice =! Look at our boy! Doeu hi
not plead for his father!"
Alice turned away her head. at il
for my child's sake that am irm!'
"Come, come, Alice, no weakness =
exclaimed Harry. 81 have no sympathy
with the woman who permits herself t,
be used like slave, and her children tt
be rendered vagabonds. l have broth
er's right to protect you and your child
and, please God, will make man o
, him, so that l may not be ashamed Of my
nephew, though have long become so o
his father"
Frank stood for few moments con
/ templating the group--the boy was cling
/, ing round Harry's neck, and Alice wep
! upon his shoulder. "Forgive me, Alice,
, he said, and he brushed away q tear o
/ penitence. "Say good bye, and Go,
n speed you! Had the law of marriag
been better law, should have been
8 better man"
/! II believe it," responded Harry.
: "Do, Harry, and shake hands with m
!, we shall never meetagain. Take car
\ Of the boy. / know you will be kind .
j Alice. I'm off for Australia; the gol
!; mines and the bush-tbose are the place
J, for such as /; and il ever / hit upon
!, Jumping nugget, little Charley, there sha
9 hear from his father--it not, never ne,
i er ~
q He pressed a kiss upon the boys brow
. who shrauk away frighlened--paused