Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-06-15

L ale anu unhappy uc lcducu dSdluStd tiCC 10
and pressed his brow between his
hands. Then turning to her said, "Well
Minnie, what then :"
81 can never marry one who eUer tastes OF
the intoxicating cup, Willie. NY mothers
mistake has taught me a lesson. You cannot
suffer more than / do, more than | will-but
if you cannot restrain your appetite for liquor
entirelg, Willie, we M u part. cannot tell
you how this pains me, for | know | am also
giving you sorrow, yet all you can say can
nottempt me from my resolve. If you really
love me, and know you do. never doubt
ed that-if your affection for me exceeds that
for your wine, sign the pledge, keep it sa-
credly, and IN two years, if it has not been
broken, then if you wish it, | will be yours.
Do not speak, Willie, let me talk while can.
| am willing to wait for you, would be will
ling to wait a lifetime, if it would save you.
Butt know, Willie, if you cannot refrain from
drinking, we cannot be happy. | cannot,
dare not marry you under different circum-
stances than those named. Do not think me
harsh and unkind. | do not feel thus-but
if ever woman loved, and would save him she
loved-I do love you, and would save you
With such honors awaiting you, such intel
lect, such rare social endowments, YOU should
rise superior to this little fault, your only
one, Willie. Viii you not, for my sake %
More than once he had essayed to speak,
but she waved him to be silent,-and now
she drew nearer to him, and with her hand
resting upon his arm, looked anxiously fol
his reply. He hated himself, and yet for tbs
life Of him be dared not take the VOW h,
fearfa be broken. He took her hand
= aNd emeerly, sadly npon her. He saw
now the care upon her brow, and knew h
had caused it; he spoke,-'Minnie, Coz
knows how this pains me-. | cannot expires
to You how much. And yet, I dare no
promise what you require. But this I d
promise, Minnie, I wsU try and do as 70
ask, and as I wish most heartily to do. Yer
| think your time of probation too long-sa
six months. Can you not trust me then ?
Am so very weak in your estimation? Br
| pain you, dearest, and yet | would rattle
die than do 80. | hate myself for ever eau
ing a care to your heart, or a shadow to yor
brow. Marry me now, Minnie. With yo
ever near me, | will not seek other societ
Or wish for other pleasures. Will you not
She was weeping. Her heart was crush.
by this last blow. She had hoped when 81
spoke, that he would eagerly, sincerely do
she had wished, and all would yet be we'll.
But, no! She saw her hopes blasted, b
ASois JOJo III WItilCICu, anu S16 1elL SAD a.
weary. After recovering herself she aga
spoke. willie, you think if was to |
come yours you would never be tempt
again. I believe you to be sincere, but
knoqo too 9eU it will be in vain. You m,
first abandon your errors. Put yourself
! a probation of six months then. if the Fl
: was too long. [ do not promise to mai
= you at the end of that time, but remain sol
till then, and we will then conclude wi
will be best. l can promise nothing mo-
but, Willie, | can me0er marry you, if in Il
: time you are intoxicated"
} "You are cruel, Minnie, and ask too mu
b You cannot expect me to break from old h
its Immediately. But, dearest, forgive m
= L scarcely know what | am saying. I tn:
: you for yielding so much as you have de-
. and believe me, l will endeavor to become
y you wish"
n So she was compelled to be satisfied,
g was bitterly disappointed that she could
u induce him at once tosign the pledge and
. come a 'Son of the Order"
e. For several weeks, nav more than
r. months had expired, and Minnie's face g
brighter and her songs gayer, for Willie
he as yet RETAINED from drinking even a drc
sr intoxicating drink. The Squire and his
y also grew happy again, and often spoil
their future prospects, when Willie sh
Do marry arr settle near them. He wa
r- profession a lawyer, and intended to pra
ne in his native county. About this time
re ness called Willie to F. He went reluc
ly, for he hated ~to'leave Minnie, but was
lot PEELED to go. 1t was with a feeling of sta
is and sad f%oreboding that Minnie babe
ut adieu. She dreaded lest he should
Id center into temptation" Alas! these
were but too truly realized. He went
IN some OF his old companions, was enticed
ually onward, till at length night after
he spent with them, carousing-and ST.
up, by rushing into excess, to drown refe
nix The day he appointed to reach home p
de- and his business was not completed. I
lch but little like entering upon his duties
the a nights debauch. So it was more
tie week after the appointed time, when he
cup his entire into Aunt Hannah's cottage
ing looked, as he felt, confused and embarl
the when questioned of his protracted STAY
you pleaded business of importance in exc
ach But it would not do. Minnie felt, kne
II, as soon as her eyes rested upon him, a
a inferred from her constrained, sad mar
oso- was so. AS soon as they were left alor
INK sought an understanding, and by d
IN foundthat her suspicious were but to
you liner with a sad heart, she told him
no gagements between them must imme,
be- be dissolved. She could no longer
'ght IN him, and therefore could not enc
his attentions. He grew ahgry,-whi
q at proved one evil effect of dissipation,
9TH had never felt thus before with her.
n a bitter reproachful words babe her adit
iked was gone. Poor Minnie! Loves
ould dream aoas 'too bright to last" Her
well first love was crushed, and she sunk
it. Each day her steps grew more
ana and her form was less rounded, though
cate brow sweet peace cast a serene expl
rson as if Heaven had shed upon it haI
a be thence. The light of Christian resi-
TO beamed in her eye, and her heart,
torn and bleeding, rested on Jesus.
OF well it was thus, or that bright flower
ut OF have withered ere it gained its full &
: ana rious splendor.
,reen (To pE coNrINupnA
him,
loiDg M. CT n.