Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-05-17

lSooQ.
Future, sirp said Benson, swhat is there
lin the future for me, save darkness, desc.
lation and death? Look upon me. Am
what I was, physicallyP
sAnd is there any wonder, Mr.. Benson?
asked Wilkinson. The habit to which you
are addicted is, of itself, enough to under.
mine your constitution and ruin your
health ,..' -'.,
sAh sir! it is not drinking that has
brought about this change, but the misfor.
tunes, disappointments and sorrows which
drove me to it, said Benson. --'
sBnt what good does it do you?'
| What good? Why, sir, it has hardened
my heart to endure the woe which a cruel
world and an unjust Providence have been
pleased to heap upon me- .,
sWhy, Mr.. Benson = exclaimed Wilkin-
son, show can you thus speak No, no,
my dear sir; do not drink any more
sNo danger now, replied Benson, snatch
ling the decanter from Wilkinson, who had
taken it from the table, 'it cannot affect me,
! sir have drunk, drunk, drunk nearly all
the morning; but my head is quite clear
and my wretched heart fully alive to its
sorrows. Oh! that it were I, instead Of
Nellie, SO soon to lie and rot in the grave.
Mr.. Wilkinson was silenta few moments,
then, observing little Lily about to enter
the room, he placed his hand upon Ben
sons shoulder, and said: Gan you not,
and will you not, become better man for
that child's sake p
Benson looked suddenly up, and, as bis
eyes met the soft, laughing blue ones of his
angel daughter, his careworn face brighten
ed up for few moments; then grew stern
/ ly dark and sad again.
Papa p said Lily, placing her hand on
Benson's knee, and looking wonderingly
up into his face, 'me want you to come see
poor mamma
sYes, Lily
Come papa,' said the child, after waiting
some mements. The doctor is making
mamma drink whole heap of nasty physic !;
and she wants you to come and make the
bad doctor 60 away know she does
Poor child = said Benson; then, after a
long silence, be looked up; and, finding
Lily still beside him, said: 'Go to mann
ma, darling, and tell her that l will be
there directly
Mr.. Benson said Wilkinson, as Lily
left the room, lis not that lovely child worth
living for? Can you not, for her sake, and
the love which you bear to her, determine,
by Gods help, to reform your life I"
'Oh sir it is useless to try
But God will help you, my dear sir
No, no; not now!
But you certainly have no authority for
thinking so,' said Wilkinson, earnestly
Depend upon it, His grace will be amply
sufficient for you, if you ask it in an earn
est, prayerful and childlike spirit
eGod hates me- said Benson.
Shocking exclaimed Wilkinson, with
uplifted hands. How can you thus speak,
Mr.. Benson
Because feel so, sir p said Benson
MY whole life has been one of disappoint-
ment, sorrow and misfortune
your whole life?'
Yes, sir; almost every year Of it.
you do we'll thus to qualify your re-
mark said Wilkinson 'and you must admit
that some portions of your life have been
spent in the enjoyment Of heavens bles-
sings. Mr.. Benson, when your trust and
confidence was in God; when your constant
aim and endeavor was to discharge faith
fully, every known duty, and to glorify
your Maker in every word, thought and
deed-you must admit that then, at least,
your conscience was at peace ard your life
comparatively happy
1T was just then, sir, that my misfor-
tunes began
But persisted Wilkinson, 'do you not
know that the truly good man can, even in
trouble and misfortune, discern the bright
light around the cloud; and that, even
when all is darkness, he can rejoice and be
glad because of the hope which religion in
spires within his bosom? All l.! there are
men, Mr.. Benson, whose lives are all storm
and tempest all disappointment and trial
but who, nevertheless, manage to shout the
victor's song even in the valley of tears,
and, as Willie Lightheart says,
crush, hero like, through Night
Covered with scars, into the blaze Of Day."
1T may be so,' Mr.. Wilkinson, said
Benson, moodily; 'but those days and such
experiences are gone-for ever gone, to me-
sMr. Benson, you are mistaken-would
to God that could persuade you to make,
once more, an effort to reform
Il cannot be persuaded said Benson.
sJoe,' said Charles, who at that moment
entered the room, Nellie wishes to see
you
Il will be with her in one moment said
Benson then suddenly starting up, and
laying his hand heavily upon Charles
shoulder, he said: She will not die -
will she?'
sAlas there is no hope of her recovery
said Charles.
'And how dare you tell me that said
Benson. Had you remained at Cedarville
nothing of this kind would have occurred
If she dies, remember who caused her
death
Charles grew pale as death as the half
crazed man whispered this last sentence in
his ears; and, with quivering lips and
trembling frame, he said: Benson, why in
heavens name do you thus charge me !?