Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-07-29
FRIDAY. JULY 30, Is,


fought with my habit, but It mastered me
The 6end had me by the throat.
" Strange to say. once when iwa' in "
quor performed daring feat. ! caugh
a runaway horse. and by sheer strength sue
cecdcd in nues,ing his mad course. WoulC
,ha, some power could have held me 50.
va, much Applauded for my heroism. Bu
better than all the praise ! heard were ,h'
sweet smiles upon the white face Of the cir
| had saved from horrible death. She
was driving along in the city, rs had been
her wont for months. I claimed the priyi
ledge ol driving her home. rs she was mos
thoroughly frightened. You smile, sir bu'
the eIertion. her grateful thanks. my own
impulses OF gratitude had sobered mo.
sprang into the ,eheiclc. and in short tim
We stopped a, her father. door She in'i
tel NO in. thought would at leas, de
scribe tho accident, ani make some apology
Tor ry unexpected appearance.
81 told the story Of the narrow cscapc
to an old man, whose brow and hair wer,
whi,cncd with the iros, Of eighty winters
It was the aged grandfather. Childish in
hi, joy. he ,o,,crcd toward. me, and throw
ing hi, trembling arms abou, my neck b,
kissed me On my cheek.
MANY times have felt that kiss, cir
I was unworthy OF - pure an ovation frou
such holy man. | felt myself unworthy
of,hat dear angels gratitude rs the 'wee
Annette came m few moments alter
siill pale, still trembling, and with misty
blue eyes. and gentle lips, thanked the again
and again. Ia that house, thas day, wat
ica.tci Ike prince. There were cousins
and aunts there visiting Tor the summer aud
among them | was lion.
~ WIS good lo.king fellow then, si'
aud jos, on the eve OF entering college.
Young a, was. II ever u man fell IN
love. | did there and then. Poor child she
loved mc-and cloudci her lite.
Well sir, you wait for my story, $50
After this. my calls upon Annette were
frequent. los, my taste for vulgar di''iPa
tion, and preferred her society to that OF my
former consenial mates. II fldnnk-ind
did-it was secretly, and I always slept II
oG. Ny friend. and those Of Annette proph
c.ied a matoh-you scc nv father was
wealthy-I had good expectations. iniendeC
to study for the law, and was deemed a do
sirahle catch.
81 believe wor'hippcd Annette. She
was scarcely mors than child. hut such
glorious. gifted creature. She Wa fifteen.
| twenty five years between US We wer,
caragci in twelve mrnth- fr,m tha, time
whilo g,,ng through college.
For year had successfully resisted IN!
old disease. called it disease, do now
Remember, | did not lot tho cursed dnugh
alone. As should. | only kept the appe
tite m unwholesome subsection. applie'
the knife. hut not to the right place, ant
there came disgrace and downfall.
Zone night the .,.dcn'- haia frolic.
was ioremos, r,ycller They tempted mc
with deyili,h p'riinacity to drink to excess
\ Ibid -. grew quarrelsomc, and raised 1
row. In the melee. two Of the STUDENT
were injurrd. ard made 80 much noi.'
that we were discovered IN our re-els. tn,
blows that were given were proved upon m'
falsely: I never remembered that | CAV
them. | was convicted, expelled aud pub
lishod.
"The disgrace was overwhelming; ltrieC
20 kali m,self when | heard that Annette
friend. had east me OF forever. A not,
was put into my hands one day, just a.
had determined on the means to rId myssl
Of existence. IL read thus:
"DElR RICHARD: Lam sorry for you
do not believe all they say, and surely
man is not to be cast or for one false step
Come TO Aunt Martha's this afternoon
They have forbidden mo to receive you a
the house. but will see you there.
Yours, US err.
ANNETTE"
go! sir. tha, made my heart leap int
my throat with JOY and grief She diC
not know that this was far IRON my frs
false step "
Dear angel she had faith in me. and
wanted TO comfort me. Besides she wa
young. loving, and impulsiye. At three in
the afternoon I went to the place she hat
designated. II was poor plain house. ioi
I Aunt Martha was far from rich; and, as
eat in the lt,le parlor, Annette came in anC
made 1t all alight.
"Ier low dear Richard = was th'
swectc music ever heard. Then as
caught her to my bosom, she pressed back
nv hair with her loving fingers. and said
with smile that seemed angelic, They
can't make me believe you wicked, deal
Richard while Look on that iacs
Her voice inspired me; her perfect
faith for the time elevated my manhood
I silently vowed that such thing should
never happen again-that would not die
but make myself worthy Of her.
"you do no, then believe all they say o.
the, then?" asked.
"No. Dick !" the beautiful eyes wcr'
raised lovingly 70 mine. "No, Dick; and
I wouldn't believe though they had made
you appear guiltier than you are 10"
know. Dick" she added. as n to apologize