Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-09
Gboite IiteraturG
From the New York Ledger.
H @ M E IN FL u ENC ES
BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.


Who's that, | wonder,' said Mrs. Sea-
burn, as she heard ring at the basement
door.
Ah-it's Marshall,' returned her hus-
band, who had looked out at the window,
and recognized the grocer's cart.
And what have you had sent home
now, Henry?'
But before Mr.. Seaburn could answer,
the door Of the sitting-room was opened,
and one of the domestics looked in, and
asked
'What'll do wild the dimeiohns, mum =
DemJohns? repeated Mrs Seaburn.
Let them set in the hall, and I'll attend
to them, interposed the husband
Henry, what have you had sent home
now" the wife asked, after the domestic
had gone
Some nice wine, Cora, and little
choice old brandy, replied Henry.
Cora Seaburn glanced up at the clock,
and then looked down upon the floor
There was cloud upon her fair brow, and
it was very evident that something lay
heavily on her heart. Presently she walk
ed to the wall and pulled the bell-cord,
and the summons was answered by the
chamber-maid.
Are George and Charles in their room 2
Yes, ma'am'
Tell them it is school-time.'
The girl went out, and in.e little while
two boys entered the sittllI.room, with
their books under their arms, and their
caps in their hands. They were bright,
happy, healthy fellows, with goodness and
| truth stamped upon their rosy faces, and
the light Of free consciences cleaning in
, their sparkling eyes. George was thirteen
$ years Of age, and Charles eleven, and GER
} talniy those two parents had reason to be
proud of them. The boys kissed their
0 motber-gave happy 'good-morning' tc
the father-and then went away to school
Cora said Mr.. Seaburn, sometime after
the boys had gone, what makes you SC
sober?
Sober? repeated the wife, looking up.
Yes 1ou have been sober and mute
ever since the grocer came
. Do you want me to tell you why
= OF course | do
= Well, Henry, I am sorry you have ha
;. that spirits brought into the house.
:. Pooh! What's the use in talking 81
: Cora? You wouldn't have me be withou
:, it, would youF
! Yes
'Why-what do you mean? 2
of mean that | would cut clear from th
- stuff, now and forever
: But-Cora-you are wild. Whf
! should we do at our dinner parties will
:, = out wine g
of Do as others who have it not
of But-mercy what would people say
- Are you afraid. But no-I won't as
II so foolish question:
A Ask it, Henry. Let US speak plain
= now that we have fairly commenced
IL Wcll-I was about to ask if you we
- = afraid that should ever-drink too mucl
,st That is not fair question, Henry.
;fo was not thinking of that at ALL But W
~ ~ answer it by and by. You have no fix,
~ appetite for it now 2
"a Of course not.
~ ~ Then it would not cost you any effc
- of will to abstain from its use
80 Not particle
~ And you only have it in the hous
w. w. and serve it to your friends, and drink
= yourself, because it is fashionable? or,
"a :, other words, you do it because others dc
- [ do ii because said Mr.. Seaburn, h'
- -. itating some in his choice of language
'4e because it would appear very odd, a
oe very niggardlv, and very fanatical, not
1d u do it. This last was spoken emphatca
' 'nu But pursued Mrs. Seaburn, with
i0e calmness and assurance of one who fe
the sustaining influence of Right, y
would not do what you were convin,
.ato :, was wrong, out of respect toany such c
~ siderations, would you?
+" r. You know | would not, Cora. /
49, 49, question of temperance, [ know, is g
0 one in the abstract, and am willing
u;4h live up to it, as | understand it but
~ no tee-totaler.'
LII Henry said his wife, with an ear
o.,e D;ao look into his face, will you answer n
: taro lu few questions ?-and answer them hor
now nov ly and truly, without equivocation or
-" sion!'
90 . Bless me, how methodically you
-. ~ it, Cora. But will answer
s h;ss' Then-frst Do you believe 20
j a. your friends, are in any way beneftte
: : ana ~ the drinking of intoxicating beverage
rnnn n your board! That is-do you derive
ffn,l, F real good from it?
No--I can't say that we do