The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-08-10


ated with all the horrors of hell.
Presently be continued
"Do not blame me sir you have not had my
trial. have fallen from a high place
Eighteen months ago, I was lieutenant in the
navy, sir" d
aIs it possible r was startled, shocked.
eyes sir, possible; a reality, sir" His lips
quivered a little as he added have broth
er in the pulpit, sir; fine preacher, man
loved and respected How do you suppose he
feels? have rich brother in New York
They have both tried their best to save me.
al was ruined in my youth. There is a
large oil store on the corner of M. and L.
streets. You have doubtless seen 1t. Before
his death, my father carried on that business.
/ went there regularly after it was closed for
the day, stealing from my home and often
from my bed for the purpose of a carouse with
three young fellows of my own age We told
stories, we drank wine together till midnight,
then with false key had made, would
steal into my house and sleep off my carouse.
began that, sir, when i was but ten years of
age Do you wonder was drunkard Of
those boys alone am living. One of these
boys shot himself, anotherwas drowned drunk,
and the third was hung for murder only three
months ago. The fourth you see is not much
better off," he added with siekly smile.
"My habits began to be known at last to
my parents. 1t came near killing them
Before was eighteen was brought home
drunk scores of times. Sir, fought with my
habit, but it mastered me. The fend had me
by the throat. a g. -Hl sG.
"StraDge to say, once when was in liquor
1 performed daring feat. caught runa-
way horse. and by sheer strength succeeded in
arresting his mad course. Would that some
power could have held me so. / was much
applauded Tor my heroism But better than
all the praise heard were the sweet smiles
upon the white face of the girl / had saved
from a horrible death. She was driving alone
in the city, as had been her wont for months.
! claimed the privilege of driving her home,
as she was most thoroughly frightened. You
smile sir, but the exertion, her graceful thanks,
my impulses of gratitude, had sobercd me.
sprang in the vehicle and in short time we
stopped at her fathers door. She invited me
in. thought would at least describe the
incident and make some apology for my unex-
pected appearance.
al told the story of the narrow escape to an
old man whose brow aud hair were whitened
with the frost of eighty winters. 1t was the
aged grandfather. Childish in his Joy, he
tottered towards me, and throwing his arms
about my neck he kissed me on the cheek.
Many times have / felt that kiss sir-I was
unworthy of so pure ovation from such
L
dear angels gratitude, as the sweet Annette
came in few moments after. still trembling.
still pale, and with misty blue eyes and gentle
lips thanked me again and again. In that
house that day feasted like a prince-There
were cousins and aunts there visiting for the
summer. and among them was lion. -
al was good looking fellow then and ust
on the eve of entering college.
"Young as I was, if ever man fell in love l
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me and clouded her life.
"Well, sir, you wait for my story I see
After this my calls upon Annette were frequent.
/ lost my relish for vulgar dissipation, and pre-
ferred her society to that of my former con-
genial mates. IF 1 drank and did-it was
secretly; always slept it off. My friends and
those of Annette prophesied match--you
see nv father was wealthy-I had good
expectation, intended to study law and was
deemed desirable catch.
81 believe worshipped 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.
''For year had successfully resisted my
old disease. called it disease; do now.
Remember did not let the cursed draught
alone as should. l only kept the appetite in
unwholesome subsection. l applied the knife
but not to the right place, and there came dis
grace and downfall.
"One night the students had frolic. I
was the foremost reveler. They tempted me
with devilish pertinacity to drink TO excess
did so, grew quarrelsome and raised row.
In the melee two of the students were injured,
and l made so much noise that we were dis
covered in our revels. The blows that were
given were proved upon me falsely; I never.
remembered that gave them. l was convict
ed expelled and published. ,a7 8 b i
TIE disgrace was overwhelming. tried
to kill myself when heard that Annette's
friends had east me off forever. note was
put into my hands one day just as had de-
cided on what way to rid myself of existence.
1t read thus:
DEAR RIcHARD-I am sorry for you; I do
not believe all they say, and surely man is
not to be cast off for one false step. Come to
Aunt Martha's this afternoon. They have
forbidden me to receive you at the house, but
l will see you there. Yours as eper,
ANNETTE"
40 sir, that made. my heart leap into my
throat with joy ard grief She did not know
that this was far from my first false step.'"
1Bear Angel, she had faith in me and want
ed to comfort me. Besides. she was young,
impulsive, loving. At three in the afternoon
/ went to the pace she had designated. It
was poor plain house, and her Aunt Martha
was far from being rich, and, as I sat in the
little parlor, Annette came in and made it all
alight.
"Her low " dear Richard p was the sweetest
music / ever heard. Then as caught her to
my bosom, she pressed back my hair with her
loving fingers and said with smile that seemed
angelic. They can't make me believe you
wicked, dear Richard, while look into that
face!
"Her voice inspired me, her perfect faith
for the time elevated my manhood. silently
vowed that such thing should never happen
again-that 1 would not die, but make myself
worthy of her.
"You do not believe all they say of me
then p I asked
fNo, Dick," the beautiful eyes were raised
lovingly to mine. .sNo, Dick, and wouldn't
believe, though they had made you appear
guiltier than you are. You know, Dick,
that it is very wicked to drink at ALL
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