Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-10-02
Original 4sprs.
WRITTEN FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
ALICE C~LEAVELAND.
BIZ ELLA vAUGHN.

BIZ ELLA VAUGHN.
About a mile from one of our Southern
Cities, was q little cottage, almost hidden
from view by shrubbery an vines. 1t was
q sweet spot. And all the young people OF
the city loved to come out to this Pleasant
Retreat" as they called ii, for they all loved
Mrs. cleveland, the mistress of this pleas
ant home, and her lovely daughter Alice -
and often left the dusty city to spend a few
days with their schoolmate.
ON theevening when our story opens, Alice
was standing at the gate bidding adieu to
some of her friends. All were mounted ex-
cept one and he was Edward Langdon. He
stopped a few minutes after the others !
70 press the hand of Alice, and whisper some
loving words; then sprang into the saddle
and Joined his companions. Alice stood
watching them until they were out of sight,
then turned and walked slowly to the house.
She sat down on the steps and watched the
sinking sun, whose last lingering rays fell
90 lovingly around her, gliding her dark curls
and lighting up her beautiful countenance.
What a lovely picture she made! Her moth
er thought so too: for she stood sometime
looking at her smiling face before she would
speak; then going softly to her side she sat
down and drew her toward her. The young
girl started-then blushed wildly as her moth
er asked, if she was thinking of Edward?
'Oh, mother, how did you know?
Dear Alice, | am not blind; but tell me
truly, my daughter, do you love Edward
Langdon?
Yes, mother--I have promised to be his
wife
tOh, my darlingp
What, mother? Are you not willingY
The mothers face was pale and she sighed
deeply but did not answer.
Alice lifted her head, saying: 'Wha OBJ
lection can you have? he is wealthy, hand
some and goodr And her cheeks glowed
still more as she said this.
MY child, have you not seen Edward ia
king wine at parties-until his face was flush
ed, and his spirits raised to an unusual heightY
Yes, mother; but eOery body does that
besides he never takes too muchr
My dear daughter, if you wish for happi-
ness in this world, neOer marry a man that
touches the cup. But / will give you q short
history of my life, and leave you to decide
whether it is right to marry Edward, o. not
When / was about your age, | was an
heiress, and called very beautiful. | met
your father-loved him, and he loved me
Il will be brief) Soon we become engaged,
then friends warned me of him; they told
me he was often seen in gambling-houses, and
drinking-places. But | would not believe
them-treated them coldly-yea, unkindly.
Ny relations objected, but still | was obsti
nate. Perhaps if my mother had been living
she would have directed me-but | had NJ
one but distant relatives, whom | though
were deceiv;ng me. But one night, at q par
ty, he was dancing with me and could no
stand steady! Oh, my daughter, you know
not what anguish was mine then! | deter
mined to reject him, but human nature is weak
The next day he came and was so ~penitent
that l forgave him al, fondly hoping that m,
love would keep him from all temptation
Alas false hopes, how soon they were de
stroyed!
we were married, and were very happy
for a time bat too soon | saw him leavin
me for the company he found in drinking ST
looms. Then what agony | endured, when h
would return home intoxicated /. becan
worse and worse, he would not attend to b
siness-soon our handsome house was sol'
and we moved to a smaller one. You we
then an infant Oh, how many times have
sat with you in my arms, weeping, and Al
most wishing that you might die before yo
were old enough to suffer as l did. But
cannot tell you all that l suffered, it wou
take volumes. All of the friends of n
girlhood left me in my hour of misery al
degradation. But this was not all even 4
husband would sometimes treat me cruel
when he was under the influence of liqu'
But | will not pain your young heart by t.
ing all I suffered.
when you were about five years old, G
saw fit to end my suffetings by taking
life of my husband. One day he was thro
from his horse and"
Here the voice of Mrs. cleveland
choked by tears. Alice raised her head,
her mother placed her hands upon it,
continued
They brought him home; he revived, sp
kindly to me, then lost consciousness fir
that he was taken with brain fever. A Ii
before he died he revived, called me to h
and begged my forgiveness ; then kissing
be said: My greatest prayer for our A
is, that she may NEVER MARRY A MAN T
DRINKS" Thase were his last words.
how dark everything looked to me then
left he lace where | had suffered SO mi
and ca ne to this retired Spot, here to hide
shame nd grief. Bat peace came to me,
devoted myself to you. You were my
comOanion NV inv nv all. in the world