Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-03-08


table of letter. wood, were several costly
gift-books. took them up carefully, fol
l have n reverence for books-and turning
to the fy-leaf of a splendidly bound copy
Of Shakespeare. read:
--'-"To Mary Francis F., from her de-
voted husband Henry E. F.
A thrill of surprise and anguish ran
from vein to vein. My thoughts seemed
paralyzed. The truth had burst upon me
with such. suddenness that the blood
rushed with shock to my heart.
knew Henry E. F., had known
him intimately for years. He was a friend
to whom all my sympathies had been drawn
for he had seen such sorrow as makes the
heart grow old before its time.
His wife, whom he loved, had deserted
him. She had taken with her his only
child. She had desolated a household;
and forgetting honor, shame, everything
that pertains to virtue and to God, had fled
from the country with the man whose arts
had won her wanton love.
How could L remain under this roof
that now seemed accursed? How meet
the destroyer Of virtue-the fend who
had revelled in such conquest?
could only think of the evil they had
done--not what they might suffer through
the tortures of remorse. 1t was some time
before the seducer came into the room
where ! still sat with the child, deter
mined to meet him once more before left
the house.
Oh! how guiltyl how heart-stricken his
appearance! Remorse sat on his forehead
looked out from his eyes-spoke when
he was silent.
"Wll you come to dinner?' he asked
l hesitated. Should 1 artake of lis
hospitality; the hospitality of one OF those
fends in human shape, whose steps take
hold on hell? L knew his guilt-why de-
lay to declare it? Why not at once, in
burning words, upbrald him for his vii
lainy, and flee as from pesLiencethis sin
cursed house. The man Noticed my hest
taiion. He could not of course, interpret
its cause. AS he repeated his request,
the look of distress upon his face, excited
a feeling of pity, which, for the moment,
slightly disarmed my resentment. and
under the influence of this feeling, al
most unconsciously passed into the di-
uing-room.
81 am sorry little Nelly's mammal
{ [ was glad he did not use the sacred name
Of wife lis not able to sit down with |
u.s." he said. ut is many months since
we have had her presence at our meals
She is suffering from the effects OF slow
fever induced by the climate, he added
gravely, as he motioned me seat before
him.
The table glttered with silver-pate.
Obedient servants brought on the most
costly servers, delicasies such as | never
had seen before.
But the skeleton sat al the feast!
could not talk, cave IN monosylables.
My host ale hastiIy--almost carelessly-
waiting upon me with many abrupt starts
and apologies.
Wine came. He drank freely. Soon
he sent the little girl and servants from the
room, and seemed striving 20 nerve him
self TO conversation.
"Y on are city, l believe"
he said nervously.
l answered an affirmative.
"Did YOU ever know a gentleman tn ere
by the name OIL. +. F-?"
Il know him, sir" | said slernly look
ing the man steadily i'll the face, land |
know him also as a ruined, heart broken
man."
With an ejaculation of anguish he put
his handkerchief to his eyes. 1t would
have seemed hypocritical, but the suffering
OF his face was unmlstakable.
"Perhaps you have suspected them
he began in a quivering voice.
Not calmly, but with the words OF an
accuser | told him what l had seen, and
thought and felt.
Sir" said he, in tones which I shall
never forget, elf L have sinned, God in
n Heaven knows l have suffered; if in
- g bereavement he has cursed me, that
curse is fearfully fulfilled! Poor Mary is
dying-has been dying for months and
have known it. II has been for me TO see
the failing step-the dining eyes; it is for
me, now, to see the terrible stru giles OF
her nearly worn out frame; it is for me to
listen to her language of remorse, that
almost drives me mad. Yes,
ad-mad-mad," he said in frenzy,
rising and crossing the floor with long,
hasty strides. When buying his face in
his hands, he exclaimed, ''Ioo late-too
late-I have repented." There was along
pause, and he continued more calmly, "No
human means can now restore my poor
com paniOn. Her moral sensibilities be-
come more and more acute as she fails in
strength, so that she reproaches herself
A weary, mournrul sigh broke from his
lips as if his heart would break.
20! if lie knew" he exclaimed, 'lf he
knew how bitter penalty she is paying for
The outrage she has committed upon INN,
he would pity her-and if it could be,
forgive
"Will you see her sir?"
l shrauk from the very thought.
''She asked for you, sir; do not deny
her request. Hearing that you came from
she entreated me TO bring you to
her. promised that would"
"I will go, them
LIN lie cool. wide. matted stairs, he led