Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-06-08

and the gambling table, and make them
more happy She upbraided Rosa and
Agnes for their cruelty and implored their
mercy. In calmer tones she called her moth
name. and entreated her to come to her
,hild. Thee, the name of Willie was uttered
Nth fond d spairing accents, as she begged
him not To- tuisake her, now all others turned
rom her, because she was the daughter of a
irunkard and a gambler. She asked him not
10 despise her for that she could not help.
Her kind friends wept while they listened
to her plaintive cries, and in low tones spoke
the miserable man who had thus wrecked
his child's happiness. Allie informed Mrs.
Durand Of all we already know, dear reader,
and they together mourned Ger the downfall
of all Elias hopes.
"And where now is Mr.. Forest ?, said Mrs.
II do not know. My friend is herself ig-
norant of his residence. She still g~rieves
much for him, as one dead. for she supposes
he must be dead, so long has it been since
she has heard from him. Poor Ella!-
Never did young and beautiful maiden look
forward to a brighter future than she. con
fess | trembled for her happiness before her
marriage, but my eyes were blinded after
wards, when, in my frequent visits to their
home, | found them so happy and contented
in the society of each other"
1t should teach all young ladiesa lesson"
said Mrs, Durand.* Il never see one about
to marry man, who even quaffs a glass of
wine, but wish to warn her, and ever feel.
as if gazing upon one on the very verge of an
awful precipice, down which she is destin-
ed to plunge. Obi it is very sad to see so
many fond and noble hearts crushed by this
demon, the spirit of intemperance. 1t APP j,
pears to me the most hideous of all the spir-
its wicked, which are allowed to wander
through the earth, to corrupt mankind, and !
make them miserable. 1t is the source of all
other evils, for murder, theft, and all crimes are
designed and executed when the mind is clou-
ded, and heart deprayed by the constant use
of liquor, and association with its victims
Poor Minnie she is so sensitive, has such
refined and delicate feelings this blow viii
cast a shadow DER her whole existence. See,
Mrs. Walton, this all the work of liquor. 1t
first quenched all the best impulses of Mr..
Forests heart; made him a monster, wreck
ed the happiness of his sweet wife, and now
saddest of all-this dear, innocent girl is no
less the victim of his wicked folly. Does it
not seem preposterous, that man, as we fancy
him, with all the attributes of free manhood,
should be so beastly as to turn from the path
of truth and honor, to and intemperance
which ever brings misery and degradation"
ut does, indeed When | reflect upon
the past, and contrast my calm, happy life
with Elias, when | think of my husband, who
never, even in sickness, touched the danger
ons liquid, | cannot feel sufficiently grateful
to God, for giving me such a companion:
such an example to my treasured boy. Harry
r. Is Just like his father in this respect. lhave
seen him often when invited in social par
: ties to drink to a toast, politely refuse the
wine. and take in its place pure sparkling
I, 0ater. You can imagine how happy this
makes me, for | feel that my dear boy, how
ever he may be tempted, will ever stand forth,
. pure and bright, an example of Temperance,
: : a son of THE Order" Henry Forest enter
y ed society with brighter hopes and expecta-
:. tons than my husband, but alas! he was
, weak and fell. Ny heart bleeds for tfas'
sweet child, for she is very dear to me. Ella
must be sent for tomorrow. Don't yeu thnk
! it would be best r.
Truly, her presence will soothe Miflhae ::
a and then when she grows better-if she ever
shoulder mother will be near her to tell
her all she must now be informed of. Il will
= be a severe shock to Mrs. Forest. She so
idolizes her child, | pity her"
Yes" said Allie, ASHLEY must 60 him
self. No, he cannot, he must be here to at
70 tend to Minnie. He will make proper ar
~ r~angements. Indeed, / expect he has alrea-
he y
DIV done so. He is ever so considerable. L
- was so agitated all yesterday, | could think
~ of nothing but this poor child"
- On the morrow Minnie was no better, and
- the anxious watchers trembled for her life
20 They feared lest the slender thread of her ex
- istence might be snapped ere her mother ar
al rived.
The school girls assembled at the Seminary
but their faces were sad and serious. Each
- regret every unkind word they had ever spo
h. ken to, or of the sick girl. Rosa and Agne
were still prisoners in their rooms, and wer'
Nv to remain there till Minnie was considered
: entirely out of danger.
DR.. Walton despatched a messenger to e.
la, telling her the sad news, and requesting
81 her to come to R Immediately. The car
did not reach the village till afternoon, S
they could not start till the next morning.
NV Ella was almost frantic with the delay, an
no good Aunt Hannah" was compelled to snotf
atc err her own heavy grief to comfort and sooth
,or her niece. She concluded to accompany E
.co la to Rockland, for she could not remain 8
Q home, but must go to help nurse her darlin
- Minnie-the child had tenderly entwined he
~ ~ self around the very heart strings of the oil
lady.
mo They reached Re- on the afternoon {
a the next day. Minnie was no better. Sh
'oN still raved as before. Her mother and aur
DC were greatly distressed to hear her cries. o
inquiry, they learned from Allie the tru
cause of Minnie's illness. They grieved the
IN on had not told her of all concerning her fathe
oe when she had requested it so she might n
,ns s have been informed by others So cruelty al
go falsely.
nd The presence of her mother seemed
,sh, sootne Minnie, though she did not appear
ord recognise her, and by the following mornii
- her rawlings ceased, and she sunk into a Gui
and slumber. They scarcely knew how til
,tlv would terminate. DR.. Walton told them
lied to leave the room save Ella and himself. Tn,
did so, and he sat by her bedside, with |
,sed fingers on her pulse. At times it seemed
q in cease to beat, then would suddenly boul
ring AGAIN WIN neville. mus ,ney sat Tor hou'
hocr~ of sad suspense. Oh! who has 4
felt them? They scarcely seemed to breat
: so intense were their feelings. At length,
ing degrees, the feeble pulse beat more regular
was more strongly, and her breathing grew M
quiet and healthy. Then DIR. Walton. vi
- tears of Joy moistening his eyes, looked il
. Do the mothers face with a smile. which t.
nan there was Hope. For the first time Ella VIZ
= az sweet. blessed tears of relief. Quietly risil
- he babe Ella recline on a couch in the roc
! al and went out. Allie soon afterward sof
~ entered the room, and took his place, VII
he sought rest to encounter the 1norrow's
ocen t;ac oh there vas iOV in that cnttaea