The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-10-12
The Temperance Vow.
By MRS. N. T. cALDoR.

motions, and numberless preparations 10
10 whole household, from my pale "spiritu.
lie cousin Alice, to our stout and energetic
'ridget, who declared heartily, while she ,
eat away furiously at some eggs to be used
or cake very much in Harry's favor during
lis school boy days, "that the sight Of his
merry face would do her more good than all
he doctors medicine in town.
So we all agreed simultaneously, though
none Of US, just then, stood in any wonderful
need Of said medicine, except, indeed, our
darl ling Alice. But alas! what potent charm
could any physician find to bring back the
rose that for two years had been silently
but surely withering away from that deli
cate cheekl
Alice Hale, my mothers orphan niece,
for many years a member Of our household,
was just as near a perfect character as any
I had ever known upon this sinful, selfish
earth. Very beautiful she was. too. Nellie
Anderson used to soy that she was like the
Peri whom Moore has so e!oquently por
trayed.
There was everything about her that de.
manded and received tenderness. The tim.
i'd, beseechng glance Of her soft gray eye
had averted many q storm lrom-her mischief
vous schoomates, for never a teacher had
been installed in our village school, how
ever grabbed and strict with others, but had
been at once melted by the gentle grace
of Alice's character. And how every one
grieved, when little by little her strength
guve way, till she was seldom seen amid
the woodland hhuuts and merry gatherings
of her young companions.
H4rry's coming, however, seemed to give
reviving strength to tue rail blossom we had
SO ttnderly sought to guard from i'll. ln-
d. ed, he seemed TO bring new life and sur
shine to the whule household, with his
bright, handsome face and cheerful, laugh.
ing voice, und very proud was | to perceive
feel the nam2Iess charm of his gay, frank
manners, and t. seek his society on III their
festive occasiYDs.
But presently | became aware of some.
thing, could hardly define or realize what
it w5s, that had stolen in upon US, aud in my
mothers gentle face an a1xious shade o.
care, end on my fathers brow gathering
lrown. Alice, too, looked wistfuIy and
sadly Mt times into Harry's face, which
would flush bot and confusedly beneath her
gaze, with an expression could not fathom
But in little time it was sadIy enough ex
planned to me.
We were Sitti ng around the SOFA where
Alice reclined, very late one evening, wait.
ing for Harry's return from fishing excuf
sion on a neighboring lake. Alice and
chetted cheerfLI!y, but my mother wandered
restlessly to the window, every now and
then, and came back to her seat every time
with heavier Sigh. Slowly the hours
wore on. Our talk died away and we re-
mained silent, scarcely daring to glance at
each others faces, lest we should discover
there some new and dismal forebodng.-
Clear and ringing the hour Of twelve rang
out in the hall. My fathers face had grown
so dark and stern, that mother, after another
anxious peering forth into tine darkness
without, came to him and laid her hand be.
seechingly and deprecatingly upon his arm.
He londled the thin, white fingers, but his
gloomy brow did not tighten.
"There he is" exclaimed I, joyfully, as Q
rustling noise came to my ear. Every one
turned toward the door, but all was silent
again. IT was not Harry.
"Allce, love, it is too late for you to be
awske. You and May had better go now,
said my mother, softly.
"Pease, let me stay," Alice replied in {
whisper, II could not sleep and you would
be SO lonely"
But at that moment footstep was heart
on the walk outside. This time there wal
no mistake; but surely not Harry's firm
elastic tread, that wavering, unsteady shuf
fling. Ny poor mothers cheek grew ashl
white, while fiery light flashed in father
eye, as he laid restraining hand upon her
as she attempted to 60 out into the hall, ant
said huskily:
"Nsy, let him not here into the peaceful
family circle he has disgroced."
Every eye was turned to the door, an
there, o, merciul heavens could it be m
darling brother, with that staggering gal
I those blood.shot eyes, and that foolish, i'm
I beetle smile l covered my face with m
hands, while Alice turned the sad, rebukin
e glance Of her pure eyes upon the unhapp
s boy. He looked conscious OF cur distres
d stammered a few inCoherent words Of apo
e ogy, and turned to retreat, but reeled an
r fell. ..... ...
y We sprang toward him in terror, but m
father, like a stern, relentless fate, motione
e US back and babe US leave him !; theref for
j. sadly and dejectedly we sought our chom
d bers. / would not talk to disturb Alice, bl
). tossed feverishly through the night upon m
s pillow, trying to shut out the degrading vii
- ion that danced before my eyes. My broth
;. er, my gallant, generous.hearted brother,
d his youthful strength and beauty, drunl
= ard! o, it was horrible
6 twas an embarrassed group that gathere
>. around our usually cheerful break fast. tab