The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-06-05

had formed, to be blasted Oy the t0ul breath I
Of the slanderer. But now. O. how changed!
| wished, | prayed for death! The future
offered no joys; the grave only offered re-
pose.
| attempted to walk to the depot, but so
much was excited, that my limbs almost
refused to carry me. and reeled to- and-lro
like drunken man. A thousand contend
ing thoughts filled my brain until | could
not think. How ever arrived at the deput
do not know, but vhen revived | was
seated in the cars, and the train in motion.
The train soon moved rapidly On; rapidly
ii passed through pleasant villages and large
cities, through fertile fields and giant forests;
but needed them not. ! cared not for gol
den fields or howery lawns or princey
d.elings wished only to ny away from
my own thoughts. 1t was vain attempt.
| came to this place il was then a Wild
prairie, with but here and there a hut; the
pillow Of the pioneer had not then broken its
surface; the Mississippi then, as now, flow
ed in all its grandeur aud beauty, while the
tall grass mingled with millions Of flowers
that grew on those fertile banks. But heed
ed not fragrant flowers or magnificent river,
for was miserable. sat all day thinking
/ of my small trouble until it became magnl-
| fed 10 my mind, and drove me insane; and
/ | determined in my misery TO commit sui.
eide. wrote long letter to my wife; i
was full of anxiety for her future; | told her
to put her trust in God, fpr long before this
letter wosld reach her, should repnse in
death beneath the turbid waves of the MIssis-
sippi. wrote to her the anguish Of nv
heart, and every word OF that letter wa W.T.
with my burning tears. Such an hour a. |
then passed, Imagination cannot describe !;
in that hour, relnquished all my bright
hopes of home and happiness, Of my vile
aud children. wrung my hands IN agony,
hot, burning tears coursed down my checks.
while the blood hot and fiery, rushed i'm
petuoUsly TO my brain. driving me mai. |
held nv head with both hands 10 restrain the
cursed thoughts thai oppressed me; alas! II
was of no avail! They came faster and tas-
ter, until my Osertasked brain seemed full Of
infuriated demons. could endure this no
longer; thai hour | would die. rushed
madIv towards the rivers bank; nv feet re-
fused to carry me | fell down and cIawled
upon my hands and knees; reached the
bank tried to pray but could not.
shrieked-God save me and plunged into
the stream; felt the cool waves close over
me, and | rejuced that ! should soon be be-
yond the reach OF the slanderer.
As came TO the surface, a rOnglI hand
was laid upon me. and was dragged to the
shore. brushed the water from my eyes,
and before me stood Father Dplayan, the pi-
0neer preacher. He had witnessed my agi
tation, and had OWNED nv purpose, had ini.
lowed aud saved me. Afer a few munrnts
he requested me to follow him; | Iid 50, /
knew not why. nor cared not where. We
entered his humble hut. "l.et u pray Z
said he. knet beside him. and Oh. whai )
prayer! II reached my heart. aud oaimrd
my excited mind. | saw that my last at.
tempted act was great sin. aud afterwards
as listened 10 his kind words and his hplt
instructions, Iresoved. BY DIVINE assistance,
to try 10 overcome every temptation 10 aga,n
destroy my life.
! Under the instructions Of Father Delavau,
my recovery was rapid. aud reason soon re-
sumed its control. | soon became attached
10 the place, where had passed many pleis.
ant hours with Father Deasan; anh ! in
vested all my property in land here--anl
having burned nv former letter to my vile.
!, wrote another, wishing her TO come to lnt
in my western home. She came.
Ten years have passed rapidly sway since
the day when first brcaihed the in,igurat.
ing air Of this prairie. They have been year,
OF happiness and prosperity 10 me. On The
soil that then purchased. is now 3 prO,psr
Gus city, and made fortune 10 the rise IN
the value Of The land.
But now 10 return 70 nv rnrmy, Emily
Barlow. No sooner had lett, ihsn ,llr Cir.
culated the worst SANDERS about ne she could
invent. but was happy to learn they were
not generally believed, aud we're so1H ata.
gether dsbelIesed-lor, not content with
slanderlng me alone. she slandered utheG. =
! telling such improbable stories. that ali Were
generously dlsbeIieyed, which added much
TO the quiet Of the village. After that. she
sank deeper and deeper IN vice. She va.
warned TO leave her yile associates. aud care
for her husband and children; but she CARED
only for rum, aud when surieited with liIf,
and surrounded with vile associates, shv NJ
peared happy. But. oh how fallen Tall n
from beauiiful, but iIliterate woman to a
vile drunkard.
i In vain her husband tried 10 restrain her:
in vain he urged, he entreatcI and threatens
ed. until dIshear,ened, lie flew tu The iatal
cup himself TO find relief Maliy lie drain.
ed it To drown reason; lul sum his wiie's
associates became his buUn companions. aud
his house became place lnr drnnken quar-.
rels and bachanalian fe,elry. Lover aud
lower lie fell in the estimation Of bis friends
down, down lie rushed to ruin-until At
last, destitute Of money. Of credit or friends,
and deserted by bis wife, Who bad eloped
wife dfunkard. by the name Of Jasper--iE
an hour Of madness he committed suicide.
A Few weeks since. | vas standing on the
bank Of tie river, and viewing tile floating
| islands Of ice. There was but little crossing
the river on The ice, although an experienced
person could do 50. was intercepted BY
familiar voice addressing me. turned aud
beheld Emily Barlow. nv former enemy
Hnt an how chanRrdl 1 srarreIy knew her