Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-08-29
Ellen, calm, quiet but sOrrOwful. not that

she had lost her lover, 50 much as that hel
lover had lost himself, went on her way.
She too, grew pale and sad; the bright
stream of her being had been riled by the
intermingling of muddy waters; her flower
of hope had been crushed. But she said as
went daily about her duties, better 50, OH
a thousand times better so than to become
one in soul and flesh, with impurity and
vice; better death, than life of shame and
sorrow. But there came q time when Will
Heron could bear his load no longer. II
was the day which was to have been their
wedding day-he had not drank one drop
since that fatal night, and now he would
humble himself he would 60 and ask to
be received again into favor, ask to be
helped and guarded through all the future,
by that strong will and unwavering virtue
which had borne the censure of the whole
community for months, for simply doing
right.
1t was summer now, and Ellen sat by
the open window, looking out into the dear
still night, and warbling plaintiye mclO-
dy, which they had often sung together.
He approached and stood hid behind
the shrubbery and listened to her song for
a moment.
Then boldly presented himself, and was
cOurteOusly received; shall we unfold to the
reader all the mysteries of this secret meet
ing? Nay, we have no right within that
holy of holy, where two young hearts meet
in blissful reunion.
He told her of all his sins and suffering,
how with rapid strides he was hurrying
down the dark road to ruin, in the city;
how he had begun to laugh at country
morality, and despise, what he called them,
the scruples of the simple village folks.
ALREADY was spending more than my
salray; already forgetting my manhood at
the gaming table. Ellen, it needed just
this fearful trial, to teach me the lesson of
self denial and self-eontrol, believe 1
shall never touch the accursed thing again.
And they parted that night recOnciled to
each other Ash he folded her to his breast.
he said: "How can woman, lovely, sweet,
proud woman, bear the caresS of drunk
ard ?"
Because she is not strong enough"
whispered Ellen, "'to bear cruci6xtion for
her love sake. OH if all women were true,
men would not dare de6le themselves as
now"
do you sec yon graceful, fair browed
woman, standing among her children and
grandchildren, with face SO full of love
and holiness, that you almost fancy halo
ofglory surrounds it? that is Ellen Campbell.
And that hale man by her side, honored,
loved and trusted, is her husband, the same
Will Heron, who was left alone at the ball
thirty years ago."
"And where is Anna Luke?'
'She is the wife of drunkard.'
Poor thing"
"You may well say that; for twenty
years she has never seen q sober husband
day or night; and now drunken sons come
home and ask of the poor worn mother to
toil for them, and give them bread. Could
ler sorrow be all her own, We might not
,cnsure; but far and wide goes out the
misery and cOntagiOn. She laughed at Ellen
and said "what fool to throw
away lover for so slight thing" +
She smiled upon her half besOtted beau, !
md married him with the fact full before
Ter eyes, that he yielded to every tempt
ltion. Terrible has been her rctribution.
The "sin of the father has been visited
lpon the children, and the ehildren's child
EN-, for the little ones bear the stamp of
in upon their young faces" and go down
o death like faded flowers.
Oh! for the herOism of Ellen Campbell, !,
o purge our country from its darkest blot.