Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-08-25

into possession OF. kor a time we VIII
leave them to their enjoyment.
Ten years have passed away, and as we
gaze upon the emaciated, grief-worn form
of Minnie Eldridge, we should be led to be-
Iieve that it were a much longer time. The 8
face that once reflected only bright smiles
from happy heart now wears look OF
sadness which tells plainly Of hopes blight
ed, and sorrows cup well nigh drained
But to account for this, we will have to
take glance Backward For time after
they made theiTshone iassIndiana, all went
prosperously. Maurice Eldridge, by his at
tention to business, natural eioquence, and
knowledge of his profession, won for HIM
self the confidence of all who knew him.
The name of Judge Edridge was known
all over Indiana, and wherever it was spo-
ken, it was with respect for his manly in
tegrity and just dealings. But his business
and political engagements led hiE into the
company of persons whose chief pleasure
was derived from the exhilerating influence
of the flowing bowl, and then and there he
learned to "look upon the wine when it
was red."
For time the influence of these associ-
ations was not perceivable, but gradually
the spoiler wound his meshes around his
victim, until the iend intemperanee was
able to say, exultingly, "he is mine" And
shall we go and tell of the weeks, months,
and even years of agony of that devoted
wife-of the destitution of little Willie and
Grace-beautiful children of Gods own
gifts; whose happy little hearts made sun
light in the home they once called their
own-of the time when they were driven
from that home to miserable hoyel-of
their suferings there until they had scarce
ly raiment to shield them from the chilling
blasts of winter, or food to sustain the life
that had almost grown a burden. Oh
who cannot picture to themselves this
scene? Who cannot call to mind some
family once happy, that has been brought
to distress by the demon lntemperance-
the Bum Fiend-the worst enemy human
itY can ever have?
Tenderly and carefully had Minnie FL
dridge been nurtured In her own home, but
when her heavy trial came she bore it as
only woman can bear. But the end of
her suferings had we'll nigh come. She
| felt thatthe One who had been her strength
in every time of weakness, would soon bid
her "come home.n .And, as she called her
boy,
'Whose infant feet had trod,
Upon the blossoms of some seven summers"
to her bedside and told him of this world
and its temptations, and of the bright home
to which she was going-where he too with
little sister must come-she had faith to
trust Gods promises to the orphaned. But
oh, when Willie looked up through his
: tears, and asked eff Papa could not 60 too"
wave of anguish crossed her mind, and
she felt that the world was dark once more.
An hour later, when Willie and Grace
were quietly sleeping, their little bodies
safely sheltered from the cold, although tie
mother felt its chilling breath, Maurice El-
! bridge groped his way into his dark and
: desolate home. Minnie knew from his step
that he was somewhat intoxicated, but less
so than usual, and she resolved to once
more appeal to his better nature, before the
, death angel would separate them.
q say, Minnie, cant' 3ou get up and get
me some supper, for | am awful hungry"
"You will find something to eat in the
, little cupboard, Maurice, but | cannot get
it for you. When you have eaten it, come
, and sit by me, for am sick and must talk
J to you"
> After his supper was dispatched he tried
! to persuade Minnie that if she was sick, she
J had better sleep, and in the morning he
. would listen to what she had to say.
, mo, Maurice, morning may not find me
: here and while can talk listen to me my
husband, for | am dying"
: Her words and manner sobered him in.
- stantly. He leaned upon her bed anC
8 8 gazed at her earnestly for moment, ther
- every feature of his face was convuIsed il
: agony, and as he buried his face in tho
! tattered quilt, and cried aloud, 'Ycs, dying
= and / have killed youp who can tell thu
= anguish he suffered For, although leC
: :. far astray, his heart had not been altogethe
> hardened, and he still loved his wife
Long, long, did Minnie talk to him, bu
:. not one word of reproach did she utter
s She spoke of their early marriage life, an
ts OF the happy times she then enjoyed-o
" the bright eyed little Maurice, their frs
darling, who blessed them with his sum
presence two short years, and then went
dwell among the angels and of the Ettl
i. ones who yet remained with them. Sh
- spoke of her faith in God, and of the hon
al of which she hoped soon to be an inhab
bo tant, and earnestly entreated her husban
- to turn from the course he had SO Ion
~ pursued-to be father to Willie an
+ + Grace, and to make himself once mo-
~. worthy the name of man. She told hi
he that her fear for him was the only clor
,so that dimmed her dying hour, and ples
of with him to be temperance man, 10
ars ~ ing father, and an humble Christian.
mo- ter long pause he lifted his head and /
bee words sent happiness to the heart of t
~, ~ dying wife =" God helping me, Minnie
var will be all you ask
md g That vow was recorded in heaven above,
the And angels rejoiced when they heard,
aid Aye, seraphs unnoticed, were lowering ne
;ng To bear up each penitent word"
in Morning found the husband, physici
an and friends, who had learned of her ch.
ges, standing around the scarcely brea
lin ing form of Minnie Eldrldge, and the +.
ros- of the setting sun stole their way silen
ded into the room where she lay, a beaut