Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-10-05

Gu L on sullie, SIT DuI the eNerLlon, ner
graceful thanks, my own impulses of graft
tude, had sobered me. sprang into the ve-
hice, and in a short time stopped at her
fathers door. She invited me in. | thought
| would at least describe the accident, and
make apology tor my unexpected appearance.
l told the story of the narrow escape to an old
man whose brow and hair were whtened with
the frosts of eighty winters. 1t was the aged
grandfather. Childish in joy, he tottered to-
ward me, throwing his trembling arms about
my neck. he kissed me on my cheek.
ssMany times have l felt that kiss, sir. /
was unworthy of SO pure an ovation from such
! a holy man. / felt myself unworthy of that
dear angels gratitude, as the sweet Annette
came in, a few minutes after, still trembling,
still pale, and with misty blue eyes and gentle
lips thanked me again and again. In that
house. that day, / was feasted like prince.
There were cousins and aunts there visiting for
| the summer, and among them i was lion.
sI was good looking fellow then, sir, and
just on the eve of entering college. Young as
l was, if ever man fell in love, | did there
and then. Poor child she loved me, and l
clouded her life.
"Well, sir, you wait for my story, 1 see.
After this. my calls upon Annette were fre-
quent. [ lost my relish for vulgar dissipation,
and preferred her society to that of my former
congenial mates. If l drank-and / dd-it
was secretly. and l always slept it off. Ny
friends, and those of Annette, prophecied
match--you see my father was wealthy had
a good expectation, intended to study for the
law, and was deemed desirable match.
al believe | wurshipped Annette. She was
scarcely more than child, but such glorious
gifted creature. She was fifteen, twenty;
five years between us. We were engaged in
twelve months from that time, while going
through college.
-ssFor year had successfully resisted my
old disease. | called it disease; / do now.
Rpnncnhar T did un Lot thn 6ranObt
lone, as should. | only kept the appetite in
unwholesome subsection. applied the knife,
but not to the right place, and there came dis
grace and downfall. One night the students
had frolic. l the foremost reveler.
They tempted me with dcvilish pertinacity to
drink to excess. | did so, grew quarrelsome,
and raised row. III the raaoloe two of the
students were injured, and l made so much
noise that were discovered in our revels.
The blows that were given were proved upon
me falsely | never remembered that gave
them. L was convicted, expelled and publish
ed. The disgrace was overwhelming. | tried
to kill myself when | heard that Annette's
friends had cast me off forever. A note
put in my hands one day just as had deter
mined on the means to rid myself of exis-
tence. 1t ran thus
ssDEAR RICHARD Il am sorry for you ] do
not believe all they say, and surely a man is
not to be cast off for one false step. Come to
Aunt Martha's this afternoon. They have for
hidden me TO receive you at the house, but
will see you there. Yours, erer, ANNETTE.
so sir, that made my heart leap into my
throat with Joy and grief. She did not know
that this far from my first false STEP
Dear angel, she had faith and wanted to COM
fort me. Besides, she was young, impulsive,
loving. At three in the afternoon | went to
the place she had designated. 1t was poor,
plain house, for her Aunt Martha was far from
rich and as sat in the little parlor, Annette
in nd mo 1n oil a1iUbt Her low edpar
Richard,' was the sweetest music ever heard.
Then as | caught her TO my bosom. she press
ed back my hair with her loving fingers, and
said with a smile that seemed angelic-'They
can't make me believe you, wicked, dear
Richard while | look on that face.' Her voice
inspired me her perfect faith for the time
elevated my manhood, l silently vowed that
such thing should never again happen-that /
wonid not die, but make myself worthy of her.
s.You do not believe all they say OF me
then 2'' l asked.
oNo, Dick;' the beautiful eyes were raised
| lovingly to mine. NO, Dick, and l wouldn't
believe, though they had made You appear
euiltier than you are. You know, Dick she
added. as If 10 apologize for, and soften the
apparent reproof, 1T is very wicked to drink
at all.''
esBut l did not injure the Students said
evasyely, Il distinctly saw Hal Burt and Joe
White strike at them. 1t is all done through
iealously."
81 knew it; told them so at home,' said
Annette ,triumphantly. Said I,Dick is smart,
and the foremost of his class, and they hate
him for it, They will injure him for it if they
can, but never in my estimation"
s'God bless you, my love-" was all L could
say. There were tears in my eyes and pronll-
ses in my heart O. she was so beautiful so
good that afternoon, | can see the dear eyes
that | oave made shed many bitter tears, look
ing mp at me now with that same soft, loving,
pleading, yet trusting glance. | can see the
dear red lips with my name trembling upon
tnem. We parted. / to go to my disgiaced
home to meet cold, averted looks; she to be
sheltered and petted and loved by all who
know her."
ssMy father with incredible exertion, procu-
red me a situation in the service. 1t was the
worst thing that could have been done TOR me.
though as there was soon to be fighting; pro-
motion-if lived-was possible, nay almost
certain. But temptation was on that vessel,
on deck and in her cabin. / took leave OF
Annette and went to sea. Once on the ocean,
forgot prudence, love, Annette, all things
pure and good, in my devotion to the cup.
There was wine at table. dashing young Of
ficer who stook' to me had supplied himself
with champagne and various liquors. was
always to a certain extent, drunk. Our desti-
| nation was Mexico. There, for the exhibition
of drunken valor, was appointed second lieu
tenant-befJre 1 had been third. All SIR,
lived a CAV life. dare not tell, or even think
of nv excesses-they were horrible. once a.
rain was promoted, and came home with the
bopors of first lieutenancy thick upon me.
Then was lionized. Annette's frlends forgot
nv weakness. The glitter OF my epauettes
| flied their vision. They could not see the
drunkard in a uniform. went to Annette's
| home as | listed.
.sOne night l called upon her. l had been
| drinking freely, and was not sensible OF my