Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-09-26
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
THE FIRST GLASS.
PICTURE FROM LIFK.
BY FINLEY

bride of Charles Walters, happiness was hers, i.
Iler marriage had been delayed upon the ac- :
count of the uncertainty Of Charles plans; =
he could not tell for some time whether he
would settle in Baltimore, or remain in Cali !
fornia. Florence loved him tendcrly, and
their separation weighed heavily upon her ]
spirits. But this was not her only trial.
Poverty had taken up its abode with her
family, and it was mainly by her exertions
that they were supported
Amid all of these accumulated trials, there
was still one solace left her-Charles re-
manned true Now that she was poor, he did
not look less kindly upon her: far from that
HI but cherished her the more. He was
true to her and to himself. They bore their
burden nobly but her mind was torn, worn
out, in the strife: Her health hegFaee eve and
seUp Became heavy, and SO evident was this
to her mother, that she grew alarmed, and
called in a physician.
"She is nervous" said the doctor. "her
system is too low. Give her a little stimu-
liant daily-she wants bracing.
Fatal aoOrdsi If heconld have torn aside
the veil of ~futurity, and foreseen the result.
he would have cursed himself ere he uttered
them. They sealed her doom. The glass of
wine, warm and spicy, was to her feeble frame
so lnvlgoratlng, that again and again she sip
ped, little dreaming of the habit she was Law
ing the foundation of. The world grew
brighter as she drank she had fresh hopes
and renewed strength.
Her mother became uneasy-but il was
too late; her feeble exertions, her MANY
warnings, could not check the habit. Things
were inthis condition when the tidings reach
ed them that Charles was about returning.
How anxiously did all lookforward to his re-
L f..rn AAnrr. - A. NJ -
last they received a letter, stating that he had
landed, and would be with them in a few
hours. What joy, what delight, for the Full
lers. On the moments speed, the time draws
near, and he would be by her side. She
grew restless, nervous, and detected, and had
recourse to her long accustomed stimulont.
Charles came; she was insensible upon the
sofa. She had taken too mach stimuJdnt!
What a meeting for a fond, loving heart
There was the mother, in tears, while the
whole family was evidently bent upon con-
cealment, and Florence, drunk
GOOD Godp' he cried, els Florence ill ?
What is the matter p and his eyes rested
upon the half empty tumbler. Z"
Her mother saw that look, and answered,
"She has not been we'll; she has over
exerted herself and the doctor has prescribed
a little %stimulant, and / am afraid | have
given her ar overdose; she has been in VIC
lent commissions"
He believed the explanation, and when
Florence recovered from her situation, and
hid her tears and bushes on his shoulder. he
kissed the lips, yet fresh from the contami-
mating draught. Tears'of shame and repent
ance poured Town her cheeks, and she re-
solved to break the habit, and be happy.
"Forg give mel save mel! she cried. "Deal
!, Charles, say that you dotnot dcapiso me-"
, "Despise you? no, never,l" was his reply
"my W loye-my sweet Florence"
! They were married. Not a cloud lowered
to cast a shadow upon their bliss; no bride
: could be happier than Florence, no husband
q preuder than Charles. They were not rich
n but they had more than enough for elegan
$ economy, and were not debarred of any Q
f those fine enjoyments which give value t
!, life.
n For a season they were happy--yea, mos
IS supremacy SO: alas that clouds should dark
en- their pathway.
1t is night. A large company is gathere
n at Charles Walters house. His wife fe
Ia sure that something would go wrong. Sh
had worked herself into fever of excitemer
m "a tempting decanter of brandy is upon til
table-she takes only one glass-feels invig
rated, and im6ibes another. Her orders al
IN contradictory the menials see her state, ar
va are impertinent; the company gaze upon tt
cd scene in wonder, and Charles carries her l
1T stairs, while tears, bitter tears, are falling {
his cheeks.
n "She is my wife-my wife, he erie.
''would to God she were in her coffin.
could love her memory, had she died; b
" now-Ohl Florence! Florencei"
nd She hears his voice, sees his tears, an
r. staggering toward him, offers her cheek f
his accustomed kiss. She sees her disord,
ed dress, her swollen eyes, and a ray of ,e
no son penetrates even through the imbecility
drink.
"Charles, Charles" she screamed, IN
IRE husband, my dear, dear husband, tell me, a
|, am +
,as You are drank p is the answer.
de mo, no, / am mott can not be, now til
N. you are here; ] am sober, yes, indeed l an
lie forgsues her, and get again she Jal
a puny, wailing child is born-a fresh Iii
he in memory's chain. 1t becomes i'll yet 81
vic the habit of drink masters a mothers fe
trv Lings. Even that little pale face, peepi
nd from its shrOud-the grief of the father, a
,rl- her own sorrow-checks her not. Hope /
ra departed; she drinks for oblivion; a
ilv Charles, alas he now drinks with her.
is They quarrel, my God they even fight,
vn. liquor! Florence, the elegant, graceful,
raw fined, and loving woman, fighting with |
of husband for drink, and bearing traces of
violence. The soul grows sick, as it ga
upon the fearful sight. -
See how they struggled She, with featu
tn all bloated and red, was once Florence,
tho gifted and beautiful. How fearful is
70. struggle. He strikes her she falls bleed
at his feet. The sight sobers him he q
on for help, while a motley crowd rushes j
r of tho room to assist. There he sat in help
and imbecility.
Mss Poor creature" say the women, " she
the out of her troubles"
b;te Monster! brutel TO kill your wife,"
vn the men.
the You shall hang for itr' is the cry of
Is : The threat of hanging recalls his sens
nv a razor is close blythe fiend tempts hir
the he seizes the steel-one plunge-a gprg
sound, and all is over. A heavy fall dist
on the crowd around his wife-they turn,
NICE there lays her husband, dead suic
But see-she is net dead, as it is suppo
I to She RECEIVERS her consciousness, and the c
Is a of horror from those around her tell of S
linz .earful deed. She looks around
erGe "Charles," she shrieks, my hush
: do deadl dead My Godi speak to me-for
She me! Ha! hG! hGP
q Reader, Florence Fuller is now the inI
of a mad house. Reason has fersaker
rted throne. She is mad-irrevocably mad.
will ---
ARTHUR's MAGAZINE. This popular
aziRe for October is out. 1t is an exceed
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