Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1860-04-07


wretched, even with the painted cheats in
my hands Carrie is ever before me, and
memory aciN conjure up pictures of nv
poor darling not as she looks now, out
worn by weary watchings--but as she was
when L won her from her happy home,
where the shadow of care or grief never
reached her and my boy-my noble boy
what heritage of shame and woe thy
father is laying up for thee Oh, madi
ness ! madness If | win this nipht, |
Will never touch card again, so help me
Heaven !"
Thus it is ever. If man sin, he must
surely suffer. The noble soul of Arthur
Glare was filed with anguish, and yet he
would not root from out his heart this one
sin. l say "noblc soul"-for, though fall
len, he was still such-kind, gentle, with
almost womans tenderness filling his
heart, he was worthy yet of the prayers
Carrie nightly offered up, pleading for
blessings upon his wayward head.
And the sorrowing wife. Long she sat
in silent anguish; then hope, as it will do,
whispered Gle may return tonight early,
business may call him away" And look
of relief passed over her face. Ringing
the bell, she gave orders that when Willie
returned he should come to her, in place
OF going to bed. Poor, lonely mother !
were it not for that brave boy, thy heart
would break.
Little footsteps upon the stairs, a sweet
clear, childish voice, and in another mo-
ment the mothers arms are around her boy.
The child's eyes search the room, but
where is the father for whom he is looking ?
" W here is papa! | want to tell him of
the beautiful music we had to night"
"lle has gone out upon business but if
you are very good, darling, you may sit
until he returns. The mother forgot her
fears in watching the boys bright face, as
he told in glowing language, of his eve
nings pleasure, Talking thus, the hours
passed till ten o'clock then Willies eyes
g;ew heavy, and Carrie seating herself at
the Piano, ang over her favorite songs
80 time crept on, and the weary look deep.
encd on Willic's face, and the mother $
heaat sank, and the tears filled her eyes.
"Will Papa come soon? I am getting
very tired, mamma"
" Yes, he will come soon, I hope. Try
to keep awake, darling-poor mamma is
so lonely.
The brave, manly boy opened wide his
great blue eyes, saying:
" | am not sleepy, but tired"
Then placing himself upon his mothcrs
knee, he said
{" Do not cry, mamma. Willie loves
you, and will not leave you till papa comes
home"
All in vain the wish to keep awake
Soon the white lids dropped heavily, and
then entirely closed over the beautiful eyes
of blue. Slumbcr had stolen upon her lit
tie son; yet still Carrie sat holding him
till her arms grew weary, listening to cv.
cry passing footstcp. Oftentimes her
heart bounded, as she fancied those foot
steps stopped at her own door; but the
poor heart sank again-for the loved one
came not yet.
Eleven-twelvc o'clock rang out, clear
and startling; then Carrie carried her
sleeping child up stairs, and, gently re-
moving his garments, robed the little pol
ished limbs for rest. On till the " we
sma' hours" heightened toward the morn
ing, the wife sat listing eagerly watching
for him who came not But, alas no
sound reached her ear but her child's gen.
tie breathing, and the beatings of her own
heart-that heart filled with thousand
namcless fears for his safety who was her
sail on earth" Even Willie lying before
her in salty, seemed not half so dear to her
as the absent one-who might be in dang
er. Long she sat silent and motionless,
then (aS is often the case, even when
loved life is slowly wanning) tired nature
became clamerous for rest and with fast
falling tear, she laid her check close by
her boys, and in sleep found-what the
tired heart is ever longing for-forgotful
ness.
In gloomy frame house in the suburbs
Of NJ a woman lies upon a narrow
cot-bed, i'll and dying, The air is hot and
sitting; and the noise of crying children
and harsh voices enter the window from
the crowded court An air of poverty
and misery preyades the room. The only
relief to its dreariness is the gentle suffer