The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-05-05

ly attached, whittier she had come
seventeen years before, a lone orphan
"A prattling and innocent child of
three summers--to reside with her
maternal aunt, Mrs. Small, who had
ever treated her, in every respect, as
she did her own daughters,
Ada had been a tavorite with the
kind-hearted villagers ever since the
first appearance among them. They
loved her in her childhood for her in
nocencc and ar,lcssness, and they
loved her no less in her womanhood
for her noble, generous qualities OF
mind and heart And many were the
sincere blessings and prayers that
we're brcathed for her as she went
out from their midst, on the bright
morning Of her bridal.
But now, leaving DR.. Ward and his
lovely bride to pursue their way to
the town of S., which is to be
their future residence, we will turn
our attention to DR.. Ward alone.
A few years previous to the open
ing Of our story, he had gone to S.
from neishboring state, and COM
menccd the practice ofmcdicnc. AT
first his practice was limited; but
gradually he gained the confidence of
IL large portion ofthe people in s.
and the vicinity, and soon began to be
very prosperous.
1t was during short sojourn in the
city Of B-- that he first met Ada
Ford. lie was fascinated with her
exquisite beauty; and, when he found
an opportunity to converse with her,
he found the charms of her mind no
less than those Of her person; and
thus he did bow at the shrine of the
beautiful Ada and at length he be.
came her husband He was truly Il
man of many noble qualities. but ad-
dicted to the vice of drinking intoxi.
eating Iiquors-ihat vice which the
fair Ada 50 abhorred. Notwithstand-
ing this, he had many friends in
g. and many who depIorcd this
sad fault,
When he carried his fair bride to
G.; she was kindly and warmly
received; for, with her beautiful face,
and gentle, winning way, she could
not fail to please wherever she went
The winter Of 1857 was one of un.
usual gayety in G., and there
was scarcely an entertainment given
to which DR.. Ward and Ada were not
]
invited, And they generally attcn-
| dcd, for DR.. Ward was exceedingly
fond Of social entertainments, and
Ada enjoyed society great y; she liked
also to mngle with the friends of hel
husband, it appeared to give both him
and his friends 50 much pleasure foi
her to do so. But Ada had dread O.
wine parties, because she feared fol
her husband. She had noted with
watchful eye that his glass never re-
manned undraincd.
There was to be a grand entcrl ain
ment given by Captain Warner, who
had lately returned from long and
successful voyage. Expectation and
antici patton were on tiptoe, for Cap
tain Warmers entertainments wer,
always given in magnificent sty lie
and the guests never failed to enjoy
themselves. But somehow Ada Ware
felt a dread of going, and a present.
mcnt Of evil to come; but it woult
never do to decline the invitation, TO
he was one of DR.. Wards most init
mate friends, and so. with a hcav,
heart, she prepared herself to GO
Her spirits, however, revived wher
she stood before her husband arrayct
for the ball, and saw the proud lish
that cleaned from his eyes as he sur
vcycd erqueenly form, and liStcne'
to the fond praise that he besto we'
upon her.
And well might he be proud Of hi:
lovely wife; for, although in that vas
assembly there were many faces laII
to look upon, and many forms OF cX
quisitc grace and elegance, yet Ada
Ward--thc gentle, and the beautiful
stood pre-eminenty the queen OF them
all.
For a while all went merry rs a
marriage bell. The soft light emitted
from the highly polished chandeliers
lent a kind ola bewiIdering charm to
those rooms, through which the deli
cate aroma of choice flowers iloated,
as though waited from the orange
groves of sunny Italy; while here and
there fairy forms fitted, and sweet
strains of music mingled with happy
voices, and gay laughter burst forth
lending a kind OF witchery to the