Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-09-26
FOR H SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
Sequel to the Once Happy Family.
By A wANDERER.

In our last, we saw Mr.. R on the bed
of affection, while there were some signs of
reformation in Mr.. R; but, strange to tell,
those prospects were soon blasted. Early
one Saturday morning he left home, as he
said, to procure som provisions for the fam
lily. Night came, and he did not return.
Sabbath came and passed, and yet he was
absent. On Monday it was ascertained that
he had gone to a village about five miles from
where he lived, and there spent what money
he had, for whiskey. Mrs. R continued
to sink rapidly, and very much desired to see
her husband before she died. A messenger
was Immediately dispatched, and late that
evening Mr.. RI returned home, very much
intoxicated.
On the following Monday, Mrs. re-
quested her husband to be seated near her
bedside, when she addressed him as follows:
William, you know that, Notwithstanding
your dissipation, and long and continued
neglect of your faapily, in sickncsb and health,
1 never gave YOU an angry word or look.
While my health would permit, by excessive
labor / secured a scanty support for you and
my lovely children. But now [ must die.
You know that the ashes of my beloved pa
rents are sleeping in their silent graves in the
far West. / have no relative near to whom
l can commit my dear children. There is
no one upon whom they have any particular
claims but you, and what can | expect from
you? Who will tell them that they have a
mother and sister in heaven, and give them
directions how to live, that they may meet
them there %
Mr.. RI listened to this address with
| the most profound silence, and whilst Mrs.
t R paused for breath, with gushing tears
2 he fell upon his knees and said, My dearest,
t most lovely Jane, ten thousand VOWS have
e been made and broken by me ten thousand
times have / heaped upon myself the most
e bitter curses for neglecting SO lovely a family;
but neoer antI n0D nave / considered myself
e as a murderer. | feel that my skirts are
p stained with your blood. And ! now sol
EMMY promise thee, in the sight of heaven,
that / will not only break off forever from
!; my habits of intemperance and dissipation,
but if there be mercy in heaven for me, | will
never rest until obtain pardon. Your chill
dren shall be cared for, and brought up in
the " fear and admonition of the Lord.
Seeing him manifest SO much earnestness,
Mrs. R thought it impossible that he
would violate those solemn promises, and
with a glow of animation she reached forth
her trembling, emaciated hand, observing
y that relying upon your solemn promise, !
can now die in peace. After a moments
pause, she breathed a feryent prayer thai
God would enable him to fulfill his promises
then called for Mary and John, and taking
). them by the hand, she said-"My dear chill
s. dren, your father has promised to reform anC
* be again a father unto you. Be good chill
dren, and obey him love God, and ever re
Il member that you havea mother and sister il
lg heaven. / firmly believe that little Emma
I'd spirit was here last night. [ thought seyera
as times l heard the prattle of that little tongu
I'd with which l used to be SO much delighted
. / thought l heard the rustfing of her ange
or wings hutteriRg over my bed So she vii
e. come for me, and then you will see me n
er more. Be good, and prepare to meet me i
is heaven.
es Overcome with fatigue and emotion, sh
was unable to say more. For some time
was thought she was dying. She continue
he to sink gradually during the day, and abou
he the time the sun hid himself behind the we
ng tern hills and his last rays were fickeriu
les from the western horizon, Mrs. R.-passt
ITO into that future unexploredb by mortals, and /
ess doubt her spirit, accompanied by her lit
cherub daughter, winged it's way to the brig
is cline above.
On the next evening the remains of Mr.
Try r were laid by the side of her infa
!. daughter, andthe little group returned to tn
Ill. solitary hut in the wilderness, to spend t
nlgnL Gentle reader, Will you 1Or q lew IN
- ments turn aside from the hustle of bushes
the pomp and show of the world, and accol
rbs pany me to this house of mourning:
nd and while we linger, stop not to look
the few who are sitting silent and pensi
ed. around the fire; but turn your attention
those two grief-stricken ones on the pallet
me the corner of the cabin. Hear Mary sayil
-"John, what shall we do? Ma is gone, al
if Pa goes away as he used to do, how c
i've we stay in this lonely place 2" John cou
only answer with sobs and tears, and th
late lay weeping and Eliminating over the futu
its until natures kind ~restorer came to their
lief The next morning Mr.. " inform
Mr.. R-that he could take his children
!, a home near where he lived, and that
aag- would give him some assistance to which
ing cheerfully agreed.
For several weeks Mr.. R appeared