The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-09-05

which your Bible enjons. Alice leighton
IS good and true woman, and rest assured
however harshly the world may judge her,
whatever she does, is just and right. ! should
be the last person TO enaeavor 10 counteract
her influence over her husband"
Thus silenced, Mrs. Barry said no more,
but she thought. and expressed her opinion
10 others whenever an occasion offered.
Mr.. and Mrs. leighton sold their town
residence and settled permanently in the
country. They came but seldom to the city,
and then remained but few hours to trans
act necessary business.
As Mr.. Barry had been intimate for so
many years with Atwood. he frequently vis-
tied him for recreation during the long sum-
mer days, or perhaps for days shooting in
the fall. lie sometimes took his wife with
him, and She was surprised. knowing the
gay, social temperaments Of both, at seeing
them looking happier than since the first
months Of their married life. The faces Of
both husband and wife expressed content
ment and peace.
Conjecture as to their strange course a.
mong the circle Of acquaintarces seemed to
have died away, and they pursued the even
tenor of their way, happy in their children,
and each other. Thus years passed by, until
Mrs. Barry was one day startled by her hus.
bands telling her that Atwood Leighton had
purchased handsome residence, and was
about TO remove back TO the city. for the
two. fold purpose Of placing his children at
school, aud resuming again the practice of
law. After they became settled their spacious
mansion was thronged with old friends and
acquaintances, rejoicing once more to well
come them amongst them.
They appeared to enjoy society as much
as in their ynuth, but with more chastened
liyelness as became their maturer years.
Each and all observed the mixture Of love
ant reverence in the manners of MIR. Leigh
ton towards his stili lively vile, and the
proud and gratiGed expression with which
her ewes followed him. conspicuous in every
crowd by his noble countenance, and graz
cious department. Atwood went in partner
ship with William Barry, and shone, as his
friend had perdicted in eatly manhood,
bright. fixed star in the galaxy of the pro.
fession.
One day, some two years after the Leigh.
tons return TO the city, Mrs. Cameron and
Mrs. Barry were seated, as in the opening Of
nur sketch. AMI the conversation again turned
upon the Leightons.
The strange conduct nf the Leightons is
till inexplicahle 10 me-" remarked Mrs.
Cameron. That they were under cloud
Of some sort am fully convinced, that it
was not a peeuniary one am alsn assured,
for my husband says that Atwood Leighton
has always been as sound as any man in the
State"
Just then William Barry entered, and his
wife turned to him and said
"We are discussing that freak of the
Lsightons moving intu the country len years
ago-Withnut an, apparent cause, and when
il was Universally known that they both pre-.
lcrred tuwn, and could amply afford to reside
wherever inclination prompted. You ought
TO know me cause oi il. il anybody does,
for yuu have slwa,s been Atwood Leishtan's
bosam frirnd. Come. now, bs a good man
and relieve our curiosity"
"I am glad that I am at liberty to do SO.
aud know that you will both be astonished
al nv revelation, and feel sorry that YOU
ever imputed selfish or wililI motives to
Mrs. Leighton Tor her conduct" replied Mr..
Barry. " Ynu possibly remember, Ellen,
when sou first mentioned this subject to me,
thtt told you Alice leighton was good
and true woman; mcgni II from The bottom
af my heart, for alone, as the confidential
friend nf hes husband. understood her seem.
iugly inconsistent bshasiuur. Drunkenness
is hereditary in Lcightan's ilinily. Not the
IN public places and at all times,
which lead. TO brawiiug and scandal. The
I,cirhtens have always had too much pride
fnr that. When thcy felt the fatal thirst
coming upon them, ihey would shut them.
selves up an inlulgcit until satisfied. Only
10 their wretched households was this soul
lIcstroyiug habit known. BY the world The
Lcightons were ohly spaken Of as an eccen.
tic family.
:. Atwood inherited tits unhappy propcn.i.
~, aud often, both at college aud elsewhere,
have sat upall night. at his earnest request,
To- prevent prying eyes from seeing hun in
bis degraded state. lie saw aud loved Alice
Merton. aud for long time determined TO
live lonely aud unln,cd life rather than
unite the destiny of the sweet girl with his.
Bot Ne accidentally discovered that she loved
him, and hoping. that with his good angel in
her forever by his side, he could sabdue the !
demon within. he married her.
"And for season he did succeed in doing
80. aud Alice was perfectly happy. Alas
1t party. which they both attended. friend
his weakness. pressed champagne
upon him. The taste ul liquor aroused the
thirst within him. aud leaving
iur home he sent out for brandy. .
and then shutting himself Or closely IN his
room he drank himself into = state Of stupe. I
action. A Few days later he went forth a.
usual. aud his plea Of inli,pusitiun aroused
lo suspicion aiming his aequaiutaHces.
"Alice, at that time. had a very quick I
temper. but tohcr credit be il spoken. as her
husband has since told me. never did she
give him a cross Or uukind word. During
is periodical attacks. ,if | NAV 80 term
ihsm,l no me attended him save his devoted
wife, who was anxious a. be could be 10 hide
me murt1sing secret lfom the public. SIZE