Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
5elGttr0 1itrrature.
The Inebriate's Wife +!
BY EDA MAYVILLE.

The calm and holy hour of twilight was
come: the song of the whip -pocr-will might
have been heard echoning, in SOFT mournful
notes. from the deep recesses of the neigh
boring forests; while the murmur Of the
distant waterfall fell sooth:ngiy upon the ear
lt was the hour for reflection tire hotir
when, caving the busy cares life, We hold
communion with Natures God, and feel
holy and celestial calm stealing over US.
At this hour, within the vine-clad cot,
where in days past she had spent so many
! happy hours, b!est in the love of kind de-
voted husband, and surrounded by all the
comforts loving hand could bestow, sat
Edith Alton. At her side nestled little
boy, of, perhaps, five summers, whose large
bright eyes, as they were raised to his moth
er's clouded brow and tear stained cheek,
manifested sympathy which his infant
mind could lily comprehend.
At little distance, busily engaged With
its toys upon the carpet, played the baby
sister, ignorant alike of its mothers grief
and the deep 81 IS that seemed almost to burst
her fond and gentle heart.
Edith Alton was the daughter of a veal
thy and influential merchant, residing in one
OF our Western cities. Her early life had
been one of peace and happiness nothing
that veal h could procure had ever been de-
MED, and never had wish of her young and
guileless heart been thwarted So she lived,
loving and beloved by all, until she reached
her sixteenth year, when her parents re-
celved visit from relative residing at a
distance
Her adylike manners, united with her af
tectlonate disposition, won the heart of the
gentle Edith, and, at her earnest solicitation,
her parcn gave their consent to their daugh
ters returning with Mrs. St. Clare (for thai
was her name) to her country home to spen(
the summer months.
Edith was almost frantic with delight
she could talk of nothing but the pleasures
she anticipated roaming through the field:
and forest, gath ering flowers and listening
to the song of birds and could hardly wal
until the necessary preparations were com
I, pleted. . .-
But a. length came the hour of departure. Sh
had been so much elated with the thought O
the pleasant future opening before her, tina
the idea of parting with her kind parent
had never caused sigh but now, as sh
clasped her mothers hand, and felt the warn
tears dropping upon her cheek, a suidel
feeling Of ingratitude swept over her kind
impulsive heart and, throwing her arm
food of tears ...
After this little paroxyism of grief had il
some degree subsided, she was enabled t
bid them all an affectionate farewell, an
was soon far away from the scenes of he
sunny childhood. .....
We will not dwell upon the particulars @
her journey, nor upon the many wonders q
nature that were daily unfolded to her aC
miring vision. Suffice it to say that tn
~ residence of Mrs st. Clare was at lengt
reached, and weary with her long Journey
Edith was shown to the room which she wa
hereafter TO occupy, and was soon lost in th
sweet slumbers of innocence.
The home of Mrs. St. Glare was situate
in rather retired country place. The hous
was large and elegant, the parlors fitted u
in the most rich and costly style; the grounc
were ornamented with profusion Of tres
and shrubs, and flowers both rich and rare
in the cultivation of which Mrs. St. Cla,
had taken great pains, for hers was min
that never wearied studying the book of n;
ture; it was volume she delighted to rea,
and many and useful were the lessons 81
had learned.
Edith soon became domcsticated in h,
: new home her bright anticipations we
more than realized, and happily passed Il
hours, either IN tie company of Mrs. S
Clare, or wandering around the extensi
grounds. Not far distant was a beautif
lake, and often would they at the close
the day enter the little boat that Law alor
the Shore and launch out upon the brig
blue waves, fearless of danger, thinking on
Of the beauties of the-soft summer suns,
and the wise and hounteous giver of all the
e good and perfect gifts"
V In this manner two months passed swi
d ly oy. The day was excessively warm, b
= the evening with silent tread, was fast a
preaching Chg cid Leo" brave Ne