The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-12-09
expelled and published.

Ae ulSbIdCe hdS oFeI " bCi hS'b X
tried to kill myself when heard that
Annette's friends had east ae off forever
A note was put in my hands one day just
as had determined on the means to rid
10 yself of existence; 1t read thus:
"DEAR RIcHARD,-I am sorry for you;
l do not believe all they say, and surely
man is not to be cast off for one false
step. Come 10 Auut Martba's this after
uoon. They have forbidden me to see
you at the house, but will see you there,
''Y Yours, as erer, ANNETTE
20! sir, that made my heart leap into
my throat with JOY and grief She did
not know that this was far from my first
false STEP
Dear angel she had faith in me, and
wanted to comfort me. Besides, she was
young, impulsive, loving. At three in
the afternoon I went to the place desig-
mated. 1t was poor plain house, for
her Aunt Martha was far from rich; but
as sat in the little parlor, Annette came
in and made it all aligbt
Her low Dear Richard ! was the
sweetest music [ ever heard. Then, as
caught her to my bosom, she pressed back
my hair with her loving fingers, and said,
with smile that seemed angelic. They
cannot make me think you wicked, dear
Richard while look on that fece i!
Her voice inspired me; her perfect
faith, for the time, elevated my manhood.
[ sileatly vowed that such thing should
never happen again. that would not die,
but make myself worthy of her.
''You do not believe all they say of
me, then ? asked.
mo. Dick the beautiful eyes were
raised lovingly to mine Do, Dick, and
| wouldn't believe, though they had made
you appear guiltieF than they are. You
know, Dick she added, as if to apologize
for them, to soften the apparent reproof,
'it is very, very wicked to drink at all
but did not injure the Students l
said evasively. Il distinctly saw Hal
Burt and Joe white strike at them. | am
sure [ did not touch them. 1t is all done
through Jealousy
Il knew it; told them so at home,
said Annette, triumphantly. Said |, Dick
is smart, and the foremost of his class,
and they hate him for it. They will in
jure bis good name if they can, but necer
In my es:im alton
God bless you, my love, was all could
say. o. che was SO beautiful so good J.
that afternoon! | can see tie dear eyes,
that [ have made shed many bitter tears
looking up at me now, with that same
soft, loving, yet trusting, glance. can
see the dear red tips with my name trem-
bling upon them.
we parted. l to 60 to ny disgraced
home to meet cold, ayerted looks; she to
be sheltered and peted and loved by all
who knew her, Ny father, with incredi-
bic exertiop, procured me situation in
the service. 1t was the worst thing that
could have been done for me, though as
there was soon to be fighting. promotion
If | lived was possible, nay, almost
certain. But temptation was ou that YES
sci, on deck and 10 her cabin. | took
leave of Annette and went to sea Once
on the ocean, forgot prudence, love, An
net;e and all things pure and good, in
my devotion to the cup. There was wine
at table. a dSshiDg young officer who
took to me had supplied himself with
champagne and various liquors. | was
always, to a certain extent drunk Our
destination was Mexico. There for the
exhibition of drunken yalor, [ was appoin-
ted second lieutenaut-before had been
third. All ! sir, lived gay life. dare
not tell, nor even think of my excesses--.
they were horrible. Once again I was
promoted, and came home with donors of
FIRST lieutenancy thick upon me. Then
| vas lionized. Anuette's friends forgot
my weakness. The glitter of my epau-
lets -dazzled their vision. They could not
See the drunkard in uniform. | went
to Annette's home as [ listed.
'ODe night l called upon her. 1 had
been drinking freely, and was not seDsi-
BILE of my situation, or would have shot
myself before | had ventured in her pres
ence. She never looked more beautiful
What | said or did that night | never
knew distinctly. remember her wild
look OF affright---her hands, pushing NE
frantically from her---her springing away
and my chasing herher cries of alright
FINALLY her locking herself in her room,
which L made fruitless attempts to enter,
then my leaving the house With all the
doors open and then comes blank.
The next morning dawned upon me in
the chamber of friend. As looked ur
with aching brain, noble face bent over
me.--the face of one who had been fel-
low collcgian, aud who was studying then
for the ministry.
Il asked feebly where | was
Horace and | found you PROSTATE il
the street, few rods from here. You
were utterly helpless. We lifted you a.
gainst your most imprecating struggles
you cursed us with every breath, but Fl
nally We brought you here, and here you
have slept till now. 1t wants quarter
of eleven. closed the blinds that you
might sleep it off,
i did not ask what he meant by it.
| was a sh AIMED IF II. two mueh ashauad 4,