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

But do not grieve too much, my love. Per- {
haps your influence may recall him from err
rOrS path to that of virtue and happiness
Do not write him of what you have learned,
my darling. In a few weeks you will both
be at home. Then, my child, we can advise
together, and see what is right. You know
where to seek counsel, where to find relief
Look Heavan-ward, my precious Minnie
May God ',e>s you, and give divine strength
from HIS 0lnnipotent arm, and grace from
above e:c., etc.
And Minnie sought the true fount Of hap
piness, and though her cheek became pale,
and her step less light, she was calm. Her
letters TO Willie grew even more tender, for
she felt he loved her, and if her love could
save him, it should. She intrusted herself
in his pursuits, and be felt comforted by her
letters, and ever resolved to fee from sin,
when he read them.
1t was difficult for Minnie to fx her
thoughts upon her studies, but hope anirna-
ted her, and her own selfrespect taught her
to preserve an appearance Of cheeTEalnesS
before those she knew would rejoice 20 see
her sad. The hours seemed to grow longer
and longer each day, so anxiously She antici-
pated her return home, and yet dreaGasd tt
Where are now the golden Visions which
made life all Joy? Where the s1abeams
which shone upon her heart? In the wine
cup they have been drowned-and shat by
him she loved above all others. Ths5 cup of
destruction has made miserable many hearts,
fond and trusting, and yet is quaffed quaffed
eagerly, as if the heart of man was burning
with intense thirst for misery and aegrada-
ton, in lieu of the nobler instincts atlimr~
pulses which God implanted there.
Minnie at length finished her studsss, grad
uated with honor, and is now at hslne. She.
, had participated in the pleasures Oh the eyen-
3 ing party at s'The Glen" on the last evening
: of her stay, but her heart was fan away
Beautiful and accomplished, she vsoa the adj
: miration of all who beheld her, andmare than
one noble heart already loved her. She wore.
on her lovely face a pensive, half sad expres-
sion, which added to her exquisite lcyeliness,
and made her all the more enchanting. Too
d unselGsh and good to cast the faintest shadow
n over the spirits of the gay throng By her own
S grief, she endeavored to add all shs could to,
their enjoyment. She sung, plaFed, and
d talked, while within a heavy weight of anN-
iety and suspense was we'll nigh crushing her..
She remembered on that same night, the. Col
re legiates were to have a ball, and Rer heart,
misgave her, lest he should again be aampted-
It. Alas poor girl! Eighteen summers had
IL brought sad, bitter experience. The bright,
e, golden hours of maidenhood are stripped of
their halo. Yet not altogether nsw-for-
n Hope, the syren, still whispers-"Ha loves
lie you, and you can save him." All hovxmany
as have been thus deceived? Have married.
Ter young men of promise, whose only great
err, fault was a tendency to dissipation; with the
re- trust that their gentle influence would save
er, those chosen ones, and they would forsake
all for their society. 1t is true, sometimes it
ley has been thus, yet only one among many is
len such an occurrence. Too often, and more of
rty ten is it, they become more careless, more
re- dissolute, and it ends in the man becoming a
he drunkard, and the young, trusting maiden,
lpt- that most horrible, most distressing of cTea,
ng, tures-a drunkard's wife, a drunkard's VIC
in tim-on whom he can, when he pleases, lay
his strong, cowardly arm, whip, torment her
bed till the poor woman would gladly lie dowr
his and die. His wife is in his power, and III
the takes advantage of it, to wreak all his Tors
ners passions upon her. Young lady, beware !
ley, Oh, never, never, | entreat you, as you valu'
wn- your happiness here, and your eternal saliva
ger. ton, never marry one, however kind, gene
nds. rous, intellectual, however endowed with tn
The attributes which form a true man, if he eve
Tith- partakes freely of the wine-cup. Your jo
d by will turn into sorrow. tn cup Of happines
f his become bitter, and perhaps your soul may /
was eternally lost, for long suffering, patience, TO
and titude, forbearance, all that expresses tt
is of christian, it will take to make you endul
nses. these things, and yet keep your soul pure ar
dan unspotted. Young lady, beware Do n
sed a trust too much to rash promises. Man
ma weak. He may ever intend to keep them, b
light. temptation assails him, and he yields. Wou
Mr.. / could warn you as I would, but l am mac
f his quate. Ny soul seems burning with the
d in tensity of my feelings, yet, withal, feel tn
and | cannot express all | would.
)r, as Young man, beware! n the Wlne-ct
pur- as you would the rattlesnake-as you shri
niger. from detormlty, as your soul-noW not all
stern praved-shudders at crime; shun that viii
and, will-which mast Of neceSsity-deform t
using man and lead him into crime. AS the raft
far as snake will turn to sting thee, so the vince
pt his will surely pollute thee. However sparkli
scame may be it's contents-however pleasant to
:, and taste-however tempting the society
is ma meet with around the social table, where es
INDUCES in a social glass, shan them, h
Har- and be wise. Solomon saith, Swine is
when mocker, strong drink is raging, and VINE
sons ever is deceived thereby is not wise" Th
ut the of all which must follow. "You do not
wrote tend to be a drunkard," you say. Can
n, and tell me one who ever did? You are in
owed. danger. You are not weak enough to
be re- come a slave to such a master" So thou
in so Henry Forest.
,unded But we have depressed. Minnie arrived
er, an home the day after the party, with her mt
it er and aunt Hannah. She knew that il
few days she would see Willie, and tai
e COM with her mother as to the course she She
slight pursue. They concluded 1t would be
letter for Minnie to tell him her resolve, in all k
drawn ness, and then be governed by his reply,
n hon. her own good judgment. Twas a deli
merica affair, and required a tender, sensitive PEI
aem all to handle it. Minnie felt strength woul
owning given her, and looked anxiously forwar
his coming.
and He came, pale, haggard from the effec
5 they drunkenness and dissipation on the nigl
roud of the ball. Yes, even then, with his father
t ewes mother near him, with the laugels yet g
lille all upon his brow, honors yet fresh upon
eel, and and praises Of his superiority yet eeh
from lip to lip, he fell, a victim to his
ans. SUI weakness and folly. And Minnie heart
become Such things cannot be kept secret, and I
Let us were there to witness his conduct. His
err end mother seemed heart-broken and CT
ed. He despised ham self. This new
fell with intense weight upon Minnie, an
felt afraid to hope again. Her cheek
day grew paler and thinner, while her |
-, er silently noticed and grieyed at the Oh
But a few hours elapsed after Willie's r
sit nv MS home before he sought Minnie. She me
as of yore, with smiles and bushes, str
to appear unconscious of, at least, thi
s relat, d disgrace. He was the same Fl ank, t