The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-08-31

the afternoon, and he ought not to have been
many hours after them. As she wondered
at his non appearance, she was troubled, and
not little yexed, for il was one Of the plea
sures OF their courtsllip, this fete a. tete home
wards on fine market days. As she was
waking along, her pensiye mood was dis
turbed by an object before her. II was
man reeiing from one side Of the road TO the
other. Annie recognized in him the village
tailor, a shocking drunkard and, with a
sensation of oathing, she flew past him. As
she entered the village, she observed his
wife and three children standing at The wick.
ct gate of their humble cottage, evidently
waiting for his coming. What a coming
Annie's heart sank as She kindly babe the
woman good night, and, when She had pro-
ceeded some distance. she looked back aud
saw the poor wife still looking" for the com
ing"
Annie did not sleep soundly that night.
Anxious torebojng weighed upon her SEN
ses, and when she did sIumber, she saw in
her dreams pale, withered frame at a wick.
ct gate, looking down the road through
scalding, binding tears, for some one com.
ing.
In the morning, Harvey called and found
Annie in the shop, serving some customers.
She returned his cheerful saulation with
that reserve customary with young ladies
when addressed by their lovers in the pre-
sence Of others; but when they were alone,
she reproached him for his neglect on the
previous evening. Harvey, with slight
blush, said he had missed the train.
" You must have missed two," sad Annie,
quietly.
Only one; in fact, was detained b..
business beyond my usual time" was the
hurried reply. What broad shoulders that
same " business must have, to beur the
enormous load that is placed upon them!
Annie looked her dissatisfaction as her IA
ther emerged from the little parlor behind
the shop, and in hearty English way inyi-
ted Harvey inside. The old man loved to
hear all he could about tie market he had
ceased to attend, and what was stirring in
Liverpool.
Harvey, for a man, was an excellent match
for Annie in appearance. He was tall,
manly, good l-loOking fellow. oC about four
and twenty, with siirht dash Of rusticity in
his manners, and tiiat rather enhanced his
boahonmie. His features were regular and
shone with rude health, while his dark ewes
and black curly hair, caused many pretty
maid to wish she had such "beau."
forgiveness for his past transsrcssion was
not hard to obtain; bur as the summer months |
wore on. il was 50 often repeated. that the |
pnce delightful meeting at the railway sta. I
ton was at length wholly reiinquishch. That, /
coupled with other matters, OF grave impoT. |
lance to the tranquility Of innie's pure bo- I.
som, caused her 10 feel very angry with
Harvey. and she expostulatcd with him on
MS conduct. in warm and severe terms. In 1
ruth she had Of late begun to oJserse him
very narrowly. lie was frequently income.
rent in his language, very winiss in his en-
yagements. even with herself, and sometimes
lbsented himself from his fayn for whole
LAYS and nights. Rumors also came 10 the |
shop. that he had been seen returning home /
IN horseback in a very unsafe condition, and
hat. occasionally, there we're reyelrics at the
arm, until sn advanced hour il the morn
ng.
Filled with intense alarm--for Annie Low.
d him with an entire deyuiedncss = Size
'troye by every winning and persuasive way
n her power, to lead him back to his former
'elf. lnstinctiyeiy She perceived the black,
awning gulf to which he was rapials hasten.
ng. Her heart leaped to keep him from the
lorrid brink,
/" Dear Frank" she would say. "you are
lot the same you used to be. Your face j.
,aIer. and in The morning you are liuitercd.
lou know We women are quick III detecting
hanges in those FOR whom We have any re.
,ard." +
Il am not changed" lie would carelessly
eply. "What makes YOU think so:''
Annie shook her head, anil intimatcd a. I
ood deal that made her think 80. ST length,
rritatcd beyond endurance, She openly ac. /
used him 81 being addicted to intemper.
nee. This brought the blush Of shame tu
is brow; but instead II bringing cnntritiUn ,
, bis heart, he wilfally misapprcciated her
,otives. II
:" am not 10 be schooled before marriage
-time enough after" he said with asperi,y I
Time enough certainly" replied Annie, ,
ilmly, that y, when you ar married"
This somewhat staggered the recklcs. i
oung man. AMI he asked: "Is not our we'd. i
ing day fixed for New Years day nrxtf" Il
/" II mas," said Annie, "but hayc alter. Il
J my mind, and shall speak to father about |
- =,
Harvey had been drinking that morning, il
I'd was not In III state to either reason Or Il
stem 10 reason. and. as usual with such men, )
. flew into a passion, and charged Annie q
ith loving another.
!" | do not love another" said Annie, with 4
me sroru in her manner, "but will never y
AIRY drarkarl !" 81
Harvey regarded her with some amaze. =
ent for few seconds. and then bursting 81
to a coarse laugh. uttered some mauldin o
,nscnse, and tried to take her hand, but d
nnie firmly repulsrd him. aud left him h Il
$ own unpleasant meditatiUns. Il
]" Pshaw !" be mutterrd. "Shc'll soon
me to. Besides, | only take a glass III b
Il
Thus deuding himself, he went On his b,
W. daily becoming less able IL rcSi.. the Il
radiul habit that was eoiling round him 10
Ids as strong as those Of the bUd.rUnsttic. b