Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-08-19

Harvey regarded her with some amaze
ment for few minutes, and then burst
ing into a coarse laugh, uttered som
maudlin nonsense, tried to take he
hand, but Annie firmly repulsed him
and left him to his own unpleasant med
itations.
"Pshaw!' he muttered "She'll soor
come to. Besides, 1 only take a glass
in moderation"
Thus deluding himself be went on hi.
way, daily becoming less liable to resist
the dreadful habit that was coiling
around him in folds as strong as those
Ientreated held up to him examples
warnings; and finding all of no avail, to
her fathers surprise, but not regret, she
caused her marriage to be indefinitely
postponed. The natural purity of her
nature revolted 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 influ-
enced her determination.
"Have you and Frank quarrelled?'
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 erriDg young man,
and would not degrade him in her pa
rents eyes.
Harvey with all loves eloquence,
pleaded ior reversal Of the sentence;
he promised complete 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 may all be dead in that
tiuc!' he exclaimed. Besides, isn't
it better to sow my wild oats before
marriage, than after?''
Annie had been great reader, so
she Indignantly replied:
"Wild oats, indeed And do you ex-
pect me to take for a husband a man
who has been soiled in all kinds of mire.
You might as well ask me to live in a
house without roof or windows. Har
vey, you are much mistaken, if you
thinl, would give my hand to man
who has not been able to control him
self: And as to wild oats, plainly tell
you Frank, that, simple country girl as
am, know that Il a man has wild oats
before marriage, he is sure to have an
abundant crop of them afterwards"
Harvey considered himself ill-used,
afterwards. When she did, she was
gratifed and surprised, at a visible i'm
provement in his appearance, AMI this
continued throughout the winter, and,
as if to assure her that the change was
real, no more injurious reports reached
her ear. But this amendment was on.
ly artificial, for Harvey profting by the
evil counsels of his companions, pursu-
ed his career of dissipation away from
his native place. This hypocrisy, how
ever, only served to harden his nature
and strengthen the awful habit into
which he had fallen. 1t also, by inspi
ring in him too much confidence in his
power of endurance, brought about his
exposure and punishment.
"1m seasoned now, and defy even
Annie to see there's anything the mat
ter with me-" he said vain -gloriously,
as one evening in June he called at
Annie's fathers house, and took his ac-
S0dG III bllS
Annie observed with horror that he
was very much intoxicated, and the
memory of the pale face at the wicket
gate came over her with sickening dis
tinctuess. Her father, although short
sighted, noticed something strange in
Harvey's behavior, but had the latter
confined himself to ordinary topics the
old man might not have known the
cause. AS the fumes of the poisonous
compounds he had swallowed to excess
mounted to his brain, Harvey became
excited; and presently all sense of dis
cretion vanished in the vain desire to
communicate what he considered good
news.
"Congratulate me-" he exclaimed,
with difficulty suppressiug a hiccup,
congratulate me! 1 stand chance of
making three thousand pounds
"Glad to hear it, said Mr. Lee
Through a deceased relative, 1 sup
posep'
Deceased fddlesticksl'' exclaimed
Harvey. "No. Look you here! An
ME and [ are to be married next year,
so 1 thought I'd risk hundred or two
to make her little more comfortable
like, so 1 took Tom Higgins advice,
and laid 'em out on the next July cup
Sure to win-so Tom says-and al
though have lost two 'un, never ven
ture, never win. So you see, Annie, [
shall put three thousand pounds in your
apron next month. What do you think
of that, sweetheart?'
With this rhodomontade Harvey at
tempted to draw nearer to Annie, but
she retreated behind her fathers chair,
saying:
Crank, go home, pray do"
Mr.. Lee, now clearly perceiving the
condition of his intended son-in- law,
seconded the request, but Harvey, like
man, blindly rushing upon his ruin,
took no heed of the intimation, but be-
gan to talk about his bets and horse
racing, and other matters connected
with the turf. Mr.. Lee, at length, lost
all patience, and authoratively bade him
make the best Of his way home.
"Home? why this is as much my
home as the farm, isn't it?" shouted