The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-01-18

tarry long at the VINE cup, ana 10 reel hcHelo
his weeping, suffering wife.
It was in vain that she urged him to go
away, and in some other place to exert himself
for their support; in vain that she pointed out
to him, in the future, honors and distinctions
which, with his talents, must be his, if he
would but strive to win them. He seemed
broken in spiritand in pride, and his dissipation
soon became notorious.
Even the birth of a little daughter, though
for a time it seemed to check him In his mad
career, had no power to restrain him long
He plunged again into his usual courses, and
his wife could do nothing but suffer in silence.
But she was not one to spend her life IN idle
repinings, and over the cradle of Ter child she
determined what course she would pursue. She
would go to Mrs. Maitland. Her little Lena
was just beginning to walk, and to lisp a few
words; she felt sure hat the innocent babe
would touch its grandmother obdurate heart.
So she wrapped her child in her mantle, and
walked to Magnolia. It was evening, and a
light was burning in Mrs. Maitland's room.
Zoe gave a timid rap, which was answered
by a low "Come in"
She obeyed this summons, and dropping her
mantle, stood before her motherin-law, with
her babe in her arms. Her pale cheek was
even paler than of old, and her thin hands
trembled, as she held her child pressed to her
bosom.
For some moments she could not speak,
and establishment kept Mrs. Maitland silent
At length she spoke.
"Woman r' she said, in a voice of anger,
''has that man dared to send you here ?"
She rose as if to ring a bell for a servant !;
at once Zoe regained her composure.
"Stop, Mrs. Maitland" she said, "and hear
me. Waldo did not send me--does not know
of my coming. Listen to me for a moment"
She paused to choke down the sobs which
impeded her utterance, then went on, "Long
ago, when [ was here, I heard you say you
would not forgive my husband till l was dead.
1 am willing now to be dead to him, on GER
tain considerations"
Mrs. Maitland's eyes flashed eagerly. "Any
sum of money" she said, "shall be yours"
bat Zoe interrupted her.
"Money! !" she exclaimed, bitterly; 'no,
Mrs. Maitland, 1 would not touch one penny of
your gold to keep me from starvingl What [
ask is this: take my husband back into your
heart, and take my child, educate her, and fit
her for her true station in life; L will CO.
and here her voice failed her.
But what has induced you to do this 7"
asked Mrs. Maitland.
"Have you not heard, have you not SEEM"
replied poor Zoe, "that Waldo is sinking slow
ly, surely, into ruin ? And II am the cause
of it. His equals would not own him because
of me, and he has joined himself to those far
below him. His fine mind is becoming low
and groveling; he is changing slowly, but
surely-losing all that was noble and good.
Alas ! sometimes [ fear he is even ceasing to
love me-"
A CLEAN of JOY sparkled in Mrs. Maitland's
eyes. She did not speak, and Zoe went on
can save him; I cannot. I have tried,
but in vain. And oh I cannot have the loss
of his soul to answer for. No matter what be-
comes of me. so he is saved and my baby" she
continued; cit breaks my heart to part from
her, but l must do it. God grant that she
may be happier than her poor mother. Be
kind to her. Forget that she is mine. Think
of her as only Waldo's child~
81 promise You, Zoe" replied Mrs. Maitland
solemnly, chat I will do by her as I once did
by Waldo, and he shall again be my child
INC now what will you do2 Where will you
go? Shall he think you have deserted him %
"Oh, no! not that" exclaimed poor Zoe, in
a burst OF agony. "Never let him think me
unfaithfuI-never let my child think of me- as
a shame to her. Let them think me dead. [
will leave my hat and mantle near the bayou,
they may think me drowned. I almost
wish I were dead" she added, wildly, but [
cannot die!"
No CLEAN of pity rose to Mrs. Maitland's
face. She was too sclfshly absorbed in her
Joy at the recovery of her son to heed his poor
wife's agony.
"Where will you go ?" she asked, fearing
Zoe might return.
"I know not where" replied poor Zoe, who
was now fast settling into the calm of despair.
Again Mrs. Maitland proposed settling a
sum OF money upon her, but, as before, II was
scornfully rejected, with the assurance that she
would never do aught to disgrace herself or
her child, but that one penny of her mesey
she would never receive.
The babe was still sleeping; its young mo-
Their pressed 1t again and again to her heart,
and at last tore herself away, leaving her child
upon the gallery, as agreed upon.
Soon after, the neigberhood was electrified
at the sudden disappearance of young Mrs.
Maitland. Her hat was found near the bayou,
and though her body was not discovered, it
was settled that she had been drowned. Her
husband and child were taken home, aud all
the good people in the vicinity were loud in
praise of old Madam Maitland's generosity in
the forgiveness and reinstatement of her son.
Years passed on. Weary years they wereto
Zoe, for the recollection of that fatal night,
when she had lost both husband and child,
never left her.
She shuddered even now as she remembered
the temptation she had felt to fling herself in
deed into the troubled waters in her wild de-
spair, and thanked God that the thought of
her baby had saved her. 81 will wait till He
calls me" she had %murmured; "that though
am separated from her on earth, she may not
be lost in heavenw
How she missed those baby arms that were
won't to Irvine about her neck, and that sweet
voice whose most imperfect utterance had been
melody to her earsl
She felt, indeed, as she reviewed the past:
that it had not been all sadness.
She had found a quiet asylum and kind
friend in the family where she had obtained a
situation as teacher; she had heard, too, indi-
rectly of the welfare of her child, and often
chided herself that she was not happy. 81
ought to be-" she would say to herself. Poor
Zoe! She found full soon that to be happy, be-
cause we ought, is of all tasks most difficult.
Day by day her cheek grew paler, her fragile
form more delicate; and as she noted this, she
would family smile and whisper, ga little
nearer heaven !"