Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-04-10

comprehended the love which watched
him. 1t was the first time she had ever
beheld him thus /; so sudden the shock,
so unexpected, and she with the uncon-
scious little one, left alone-in fearful
suspense-awful reality!
What should she do--what could she
do? Nothing but guard her fallen hus-
band-Oh, how fallen! -and wait e tn
sleepless eyes the return of morning.
When William Ashton awoke to con-
sciousness. he was an altered man.
Like Sampson Of old, he had laid his
head in woman's lap-given the locks
of his manhood to her keeping-would
she betray him? His peculiarly sensi-
tive lature was keenly alive to the
least sense of propriety, and once dis
graced, he felt disgraced forever. He
lost his manly dignity, his whole bear
ing!
Instead Of rousing from his lethargy,
flinging aside the tempter's grasp, and
spurning temptation, for his own, his
wife's and his little ones sake, from
that day his steps tended DOWN. I'd,
nor could patient endurance, heroic sac
riice, undying love, stay them.
Oh, man! once fallen, that thou
shouldst sink still lower, nor strive to
regain thy manhood! Yet, with all
the love of her sympathetic nature, with
ali the patience and grace, did the afec-
tionate wife watch and pray for the
coming of better days, and when loos-
ed from his self-forged chains, he
should rise new man, strong in body
and mighty in spirit.
CHAPTER II.
| It was one Of those lovely autumnal
days of such hazy dimness, such dreamy
softncss, that rests like a halo OF the
brow of nature, that E nily taking her
work-a slipper that she Wa, emorolder-
| inc for her husband-s'uSht the wide,
vine covered veraudsn, and seating her
self in rustic arm chair, looked out
upon the lovely landscape.
| No s.dnd save the drowsy hum of q
| istbss fly, or the occasional rustic of the
.1ne leaves, disturbed the stiffness Of her
retr st
The frost-king had already clad his
loyal subjects in their robes Of d, part
ing glory, and the forest trees regally
stood in their many-hued livery, or care
lessly nodded their plunes on the pass
ing breeze.
Broad fields of golden grain waved in
gentle undulations-and beyond the
placid waves of noble river, with its
snowy sails, sparkled in the sunlight.
Nearer were tn .ir own beautiful grounds
tastefully arranged, and ornament d
with shrubbery, and the smooth shaven
lawn, along whose Aowery paths little
Willie was drawn by his faithful nurse.
On one side was limpid stream, trib:.
utary Of the deep waters beyond, and
leading to its pebbly margin, the rustic
arbor, where, in days agone, were re-
Moved their holy VOWS, plighting Of love
and fidelity, where were dreamed visions
of futurty too airy in structure, too
delicate in coloring, to withstand the
warning elements Of life. o, how
fon lily did her eyes rest on that holy
spot; how wildly did memory recall
each noble aspirations, each holy re-
solve and as she thought Of the past
and the present, a sigh escaped her,
and burning tear dropped on the
half finished slipper, rested on del
icate white rose, leaving an indellible
stain.
':How like my life," she murmered,
gazing at the neutrality-suspicious. stain
ed, long ere it is Completed"
She was interrupted by the sound Of
approaching footsteps, and looking up,
beheld the stern form of her father.
"You are welcome, father, though
this visit is unexpected" said Emily,
rising to meet him, and smiling through
Lie
CAS- unexpected to me, as yourself,
perhaps" said he hastily; Il have
Gomez exclaimed he, abruptly, "to Of
fer you and your child a home y
Emily, trembling, grasped frail
trellls, and S INK into her seat.
FEATHER, what can you mean?'' she
gasped, with bloodless lips
''Mean," said he, sternly, II mean
what l say. Haven't you heard 3
Hasn't he told you 20
"Heard? Who? What ?" said she,
in breathless suspense.
Hasn't your husband told you Of his
failure, recklessness, restitution, and
your poverty 20
"Not word" said she, so2kwhat re-
covered.
g No wonder the villain shrinks from
the gaze Of innocence" he exclaimed,
vehemently " cowardly wretch. no
wonder he conceals from his wife such
wickedness."
Father" she implored, "what do
you mean? Not my husband-my
William %
Il meau,'' Numbered her father,
that your husband, your William, is
contemplate villain, drunkard, a
gambler, and you are homeless"
80 my father" said she, with clasp
ed hands and fearful eyes, 'you are
not in earnest-it is not true ~
cit is true, my child" said he, some
what tenderly, :. too true, and | have
come for you and your little one.''
Have you seen William 2" she en-
quired.
eyes"
+" What said he 20
& Saw ?-he said he would remove to