Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-12-23

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/ feelings-something that sofened her
heart towards him. But she dared not
trust herself to speak, nor to let her eyes
meet his; she did not wish 10 utter a
harsh or repulsive word, nor was she
wiling 10 speak kindly to him, for she
did not feel kindly-and kind words and
affected cheerfuiness, she had already
found, but encouraged him in his evil
ways; and 50 she continued to ply her
needle, without appearing to regard his
! presence. Her husband did not make
another effort to induce her to suspend
her labors; for, under existing cireum-
stances, he was particularly desirous Of
not provoking her to use towards him the
language Of rebuke and eeusure. After
sitting silent for about half an hour, he
rose from his chair aud walked three or
four times backward and forward across
the room, preparatory to going out to
cofee-house to spend the evening, as his
wife supposed. But much to her sur
prise, he retired to their chamber. in the
adjoining room. While still under the
expectation of seeing him return, hls loud
breathing caught her quick ear-he was
asleep!
Catching up the light, as She arose
suddenly to her feet, she passed with a
hasty step into the chamber. He had
undressed himself, was in bed and sound
asleep. She held the candle close to his
face; it was calmer than usual and some
what paler. As she bent over him, his
breath came full in her face; it was not
loaded with the disgusting fumes that had
50 often sickened her. Her heart beat
quicker-the moisture damned her eve
her whole frame trembled-then looking
upwards, she uttered a single prayer for
her husband, and glided quickly from the
room, sat down to her little table, and
I again bent over her work. Now she re-
membered thar he had said, with some
thing unusual in his tones, | wouldn',
sew tonight, Jane; you look tired rest
for one evening; and her heart was ag-
itated with new hope; but that hope,
like the dove from the ark, found nothing
on which to rest, and trembled back again
into feeling of despondency. What
had she to hope for? Surely not that
her husband would reform She had
I seen too many efforts at reformation. com
menced under better auspices than could
now possibly surround him, and all had
failed. At each successive failure his
state became worse than before. II was
past twelve O'Clock when she laid by her
work, from exhaustion and pain, and
sought few hours repose.
On the next morning, the trembling
hard Of Jarvis, as be lifted his saucer to
his lips at the breakfast table, made his
wife's heart sink again in her bosom
She HAD felt hope, almost unconscious
/ ly. She remembered that at supper time
his hand was steady now it was unnerv-
ed. This was conclusive to her mind.
that notwithstanding his appearance he
had been drinking. But few words
passed during the neal, for neither felt
much inclined to converse. After break
fast, Jarvis returned to the shop. and
worked steadily until dinner time, and
then again until evening As on the
night before he did not 20 out, but re.
tired early to bed And his was contin-
ued ali the week. But the whole was a
mystery to bis poor wife, who dared not
even hope for any real change for the
better. On Saturday, towards night, he
laid by his work, put on bis coat and hat.
and went into the front shop.
/ So you have really worked a week q
sober man, JohnT Mr. Lankford said.
Indeed I have. Since last Sunday
morning, no kind Of intoxicating liquor
has passed my lips
And / hope never win again, John.
1T never shall! If die, will not
depart from this resolution
May you have strength to keep IL,
the old man said, earnestly. Then, after
pause
How much have you earned this
week, John 2
Here is the foremans account Of my
, work, sir. Itamounts to twelve doilars.
: Still fast workman. You viii set
: recover your skill and your family viii
Jet be happy il you perseyere.
o, sir, they shall be happy I WILL
2 perseveFe.
Surely you have for 30 doing lhe
= strongest considerations.
Another pause enssed, and shen Jar.
: Viz said. while tho color mounted to HI,
r check