Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-23
fir.siSe R&anina.
(From the Home Circle.)
THE INEBRIATE RECLAIMED.
A True Story.
BY REV. A. G. STACY, A. NJ.

4
1t was in the afternoon Of a charming
day in April, 49,. The sweet village was
quietly reposing in the shadow of the adj
jacent mountains, and grateful to the weary
pastor who had just concluded his ~intellec-
tual labors was the sight of its gardens, and
groves, and fields.
A weather beaten, comfortless cottage
was entered, and the mistress Of the estab-
lishment taxed her colloquial powers to the
utmost to entertain her esteemed VISITOR
But in spite Of her efforts to be cheerful, a
shade Of melancholy was painfully visible
in her countenance. There were, it is true,
the glossy raven ringlets, the brilliant black
eye, the fair complexion, and the perfect
form but the buoyant smile, the gleeful
expression of other days, had fled.
Six years before, she was a blooming
beauty Of eighteen. Her young heart had
been won by a pious, intelligent, wealthy
young man. The happy evening arrived,
and the festive hall was illuminated. The
gay company assembled, aud soft zephyrs
were floating by as the bridegroom and his
suite made their appearance. The cere-
mony was o over, and all was hilarity
and Joyful anticipation. The halcyon hours
of the evening of the espousals fed away
on swiftest wing, and in a few days the
happy couple found themselves seated by
their own Preside, in this enchanting village
of the mountains.
The first year sped rapidly away: months
were weeks, and weeks were hours. The
present was an unbroken scene of delight
the future was an unknown land of beauty.
But this domestic felicity was of short du.
ration.
The joys of this interesting pair grada.
ally grew less, and the sunshine which gil
ded their path was dimmed, and finally
shut out by portentous clouds. Mr.. L.
was warm-hearted and liberal, delighted tx
be in the company of his friends, and, o
course, took pleasure in rendering then
happy. He had the utmost confidence il
his W ability to resist temptation, an
never dreamed of injuring his friends b,
taking a social glass with them. 1t wa
liberal, noble, pleasant, to visit the bar
room occasionally with his esteemed assc
ciates. But alas for human nature. ST
brief years had scarcely gone by, when Nj
l. was found to be a confirmed drunl
ard his property was well-nigh all squar
dered his friends had forsaken him; b
had been expelled from the Church b
business was neglected his lovely wife an
two smiling babes had no charms for hin
and his highest ambition was to posse
himself of a glass of brandy How falle
Behold the wreck of virtue and religion
See all the noble aspirations of a magyar
nous man quenched by the fatal fluid
"And uow," said Mrs. Ito her ven
rated guest, to whom she felt free to II
bosom herself "my happiness is at an Ell
anticipate n0thing but wuut and ruin
myself and children. I must make t
most of the present, bad as it is; for mi
tiers will certainly grow worse, until | a
my dear little boys FIND in the grave a
treat from disgrace and sorrow" TIE;
suffused her eyes, and grief stopped her
~terance. A few words of encouragemt
were offered, and the pastor walked p
sively away. The setting sun was giidi
the green mountain tops in the distan
and thus imaged the waning fortunes
the unhappy husband and father.
Eighteen months after this sad int
view, this same minister was passingthror
the village, and called again at the no
Of Mr.. Il; and, to his surprise,
found him living in a spacious mansi
surrounded by the comforts and even
Injuries of life. Mrs. II greeted
with a countenance as sunny as that
was accustomed to wear in her girlh
days. Mr.. l. was a sober, highly
spectacle man, and was engaged in
honorable and lucrative business. His
mer days of prosperity had returned,
he and his family were exquisitely ha
amid the peaceful shades of an embow'
home.
The gospel had reached him thro
the medium Of the Sons Of Temperate