The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-10-20

and black carly hair caused many
pretty maid to wish she had such
"beau." o. ..
Forgiveness for his first transgression
was not hard to obtain; but as the sum-
mer months wore on it was so often re.
peated, that he once delightful meeting
at the railway station, was at length
wholly relinquished. That, coupled
with other matters of grave importance
to the tranquility Of Annie's pure
bosom. caused her to feel very angry
with Harvey. .and she expostulated with
him on his conduct in warm and severe
terms. In truth, she had of late begun
TO observe him very narrowly. He was
frequently ,incoherent in his language,
very rem;ss in his engagements even
with herself, and sometimes abseated
himself from his farm for whole DAYS
and nights. {Rumors also came to the
shop that he had been seen returning
home on horseback in very unsafe con-
dition, and that occasionally there were
revelries at the farm until an advanced
hour in the morning.
Filled with intense alarm-for Annie
loved him with an entire deyotedness-
she strove BY every winning and persua-
sive way in her power to lead him back
to his former self. Instinctively she
perceived the black, yawning gulf to
which he was rapidly Mastering. Her
heart leaped to keep him from the hor-
rid brink.
Dear Frank, she would say, you
are not the same as you used to be-
Your face is paer, and in the morning
you are futteredl You know we women
are quick in detecting changes in those
for whom we have any regard
1 am not changed he would care
lessly reply. What makes you think
so 4?
Annie shook her head and intimated
a good deal that made her think so.-
AT length, irritated beyond endurance,
she openly accused him of being addic-
ted to intemperance. This brought the
blush ofshame to his brow; but instead
of bringing contrition to his heart, he
wilfully Inexperienced her motives.
i am not to be schooled before mar
riage-time enough after,' he said with
asperity.
Time enough, certainly replied
Annie, calmly, that is, when you are
married.
This somewhat staggered the reck.
less young man, and he asked, is not
our wedding day fixed for New Years
day next?'
1T was,' said Annie, but have al
tered my mind, and shall speak to faith
er about it,
Harvey had been drinking that morn.
ing, and was not in fit state to either
reason or listen to reason, and, as usua
with such men, he flew into a passion
v.r.-+' yir,-+,syst.. 11ssu:u "irll losin2 anotlI
er.
i do not love another said Annie
with some scorn in her manner, but
will never marry a drunkard 7
Harvey regarded her with some
amazement for few seconds, and ther
bursting into coarse laugh, uttered
some maudlin nonsense and tried tc
take her hand, but Annie firmly repuls
ed him, and left him to his own un
pleasant meaitations.
'Pshaw 7 he muttered. She'll soo1
come to. Besides, only take a glass
in moderation
Thus deluding himself he went on hit
way, daily becoming less liable to re-
sist the dreadful habit that was collins
round him in folds as strong as those O
the boa constructor. Annie prayed, en-
treated, held up to him examples, warn
ings; and finding all of no avail, to he1
fathers surprise, but not regret, she
caused the marriage to be postponed in.
definitely. The natural purity of hel
nature revelted at the idea of marrying
a man who had so far forgotten himself
1t must be admitted that the never-to.
be-forgotten pale face at the wicket.
gate, seen in the twilight, very much
Influenced her determination.
I" Have you and Frank quarreled o.
inquired her father.
"No-that is, not much but he
keeps too much company, and I 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 eloquence,
pleaded for a reversal of the sentence
he promised conformity to her wishes,
even to taking pledge.
Annie, although her heart beat vio-
lently, was unyielding; all that she
would grant was years probation.
"Why, we msy be all dead in that
time u he exclaimed. "Besides, isn't
it better to SOW my wild oats before mar
riage than after %
Annie had been great reader, so she
indignantly replied, wild oats, indeed!
And do you expect me to take for a
husband man who has been soiled in
all kinds of mire? You might as well
ask me to live in house without roof
or windows. Harvey, you are much
mistaken if you think l will give my
hand to man who has not been able to
control himself. And as to wild oats,
| plainly tell you, Frank, that, simple
country girl as I am, ! know that it a
man has wild oats before marriage, he
is pretty sure to have an abundant crop
of them afterwards
Harvey considered himself ill-used,
and Annie did not see him for week
afterwards. When she did, she was
grati6ed and surprised at visible i'm
provement in his appearance, and this
continued throughout the winter, and,
as If to assure her that the change was
real. no more injurious reports reached
her ears. But this amendment was only