The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-03-06
Woman,s Constanev.

The snow was falling tle! and fast aud the rude north
wind played many strange and fantastic game with its
fairy fakes Now here. and there; and they danced
about, TILL like Weared child they slept at last upon
the bosom of their mother EARTH Not sound, save
the fury of the storm king disturbed the gloomy hours
The village clock had just tolled the hour of ten when
man. wrapped in a cloak, and with mutfled face,
issued from Il low hovel by the waysde. As the door
closed after him, soft voice mulmured odhelp you,
/ Frank and again all was still. With muah effort the
braved the ptiless storm and crossing another
street, ascended the steps of elegant brick building
He hesitated moment, and then rung the bell. ser
want obeyed the summons
is your master withn?" asked he, in disguised
| voice
He is: your name sir"
"Tell him gentleman wishes to speak to him"
Soon the servant returned, saying his master would
wait on him directly.
With a trembling step he eQtered the room, and not
daring to look around him, sunk upon the nearest seat
and covered his face with his hands Soon approach
ing step and tie opening door announced the expected
inmate.
as your business with me, sir? asked the old gentle
man. approaching the visitor, who had involunarily
risen, on his entrance.
''It is sir"
"Then please to be expeditions, as company awaits
me-"
The young man did as he was desired and throwing
aside his disguise, revealed pale and haggard counte
nance which first made the hehoder start with horror.
But Immediately recovering himself be exclaimed in
harsh voice:
'Frank Delaval. this is no home for YOU; begone'
"0h, father, spurn me not from younow. Help only
help and he said this he threw herself his knees
before him.
"Calmenot fatherl' exclaimed Mr. Delaval na voice
almost sufocated with rage. Il ne longer acknowledge
you SON"
"But, replied the Young man, "hear me, for humani
tys sake--for the sake OF Ella, my wifep
Breathe not her name" exclaimed the old man,
striking his cenched fst let hersafersh deserves i"
and shutting the door violently, he left the room.
For a moment Frank seemed motonleSs then rising
he cast glance his dnother aud left the house
analtered man Ihe iron had dcneredhis soul Hitherto
he had hoped his father would relent-wOuld forgive
him, although he had we'd the poorand owly Ella Morven
But there are some hearts which will not relcut; and
woe! woel to those who within their influences.
On q sclnty bed in a cold and dreary room, slept
infant. A smile PLAYING on its dimped chin and
his hands c'asped as il in sportve glee Bending
over it, with pale and anxious eye, the wasted
form Of the once beautiful Ella MorTen tear on
her cheek she kissed the fair forehead of the child
and hushed it quietly TO rest Then rising, she ex-
caimed:
Rest there there, my child, and may thy young
heart neer know the sorrows Of thy mother
YEARLY YEARLY passed the time to this lone and 81
lent watcher The clock pursued Its unceasing course
from hour to hour and yet alone! and he that should
have been with her there SIT at the gambling table,
over the wine cup! o. man, Where Is thy heart-where
are the pit dyed three years since when thou
many others have been Vengeance will follow thee
The clock struck three, aud its last ringing died
away step heard approaching the door Fhe wife
: few to open it, and casping her arms, eScalnled
"0h | am so glad you have come, Frank, for have
been lonely very lonely, and the bright tears gath
cred in her eyes.
: The Husband gazed upon her moment, then casting
her from him, exclaimed in harsh voice, why have
vou waited my coming? Did not bid you otherwise?
but thought you would be cold and hungry she
meekly replied
Hungry Ella, hungry! no; pye had enough for one
| night I'm ruined utterly ruined.n
Bat Franz, why did you pay?s
5 "4nd what would you have to do Ella? Work |
cannot-bec wii not There is other alternative.
And my fathcr has done it, he has made what am,
: Iand he may
"stay stay, Frank curse him not, lie is thy faher
vet But say ouly say you will reuqush the gambling
table and all viii be weln Saying this she led him to the
bedside of the sleeping child For moment his heart
seemed softened, then again bis fury returned.
"Aud nv father can know this muttcred he, through
his cleuehed teeth and withhold his helping hand.
His wife perceived the change, and gently leading
him away placed before him neat but simple repast,
He ate but little for his heart full aud soon retired
Ea kueecd by his bedside and offered her nightly
PRAYER 1t seemed to touch his hearj, and made him
resolve to live diAerentlte. Butaas for mans
lutions. How often are they broken,
Yes Frank, where you GO, there will go; your
home shall be my home; and she threw her around
his neck, ard wept in the very funes5 of grief
The officer pitiedher distress, but duty compelled him
to the task. Frank conveyed to prison, and the
wife followed. There, like ministerial angel, she
hovercd about him Once, aud once only, did the IA
ther visit them, and then it to upbraid.
'sYOu were ever curse TO mel" exclaimed he, 'and
now may the law ayenge me-
In vain the wife pleaded with the eloqueRee Of afec-
ton and impassoned sorrow. He left them, and hope
! seemed fed.
Still the wife cluug to him with woman's true love-;
and together with the sporve laugh of his chleseryed
r TO keep his heart from despair.
ooh, Ella, he would often say, Show have Iwronged
you!"
But return now the path of duiy; It's not too late
Thus did this gentle wife with her deep love and
persuasive tones strive to win back the erring one.
Hers was no force of law but the simple dictates OF the
beart--love's suason, if you will
But the husbands health and spirits sunk beneath his
misfortune and week had passed away, he was
in the grasp of a raging fever. Delrium seized him
land was truly herrendug to hear his calls for mercy
and lamentations for the past.
"Oh nv father' he would exelam, "hehold thy
work. With one word of kindness you might have saved
me; but now | 20 down--down,n and shudderins he
would conceal lis face beneath the bed clothes.
All this time Ella stood over him. He knew her not
vet believed her some one sent down to save him. But
the fever spent its rage, and he recovered.
In neat and comfortable dwelling was seated Wo
man and child The latter slept, but the former was
engaged in reading. Soon the door opened noselessly
and hand was gently laid her shoulder, the in
truder had been perceived. "Ah Frank, you have re
turned early; but how is your tather?"
"He viii die, Ella, lie will die and oh. such death?
His only consolation to be thahe is able to leave
me an immense property But ii tile eases his re-
preaching conscience. He is continually speaking Of
his wrongs against you and begging to bring you
hther that he may obtain your forgiveness, and bless
you, ere he dies
"And let US go, Frank let go now; though SHINING
he shall nos be sInned against"
They went, aud the old MN raising his feeble head
begged forgiveness of her. whom he had long
scorned. Need it be said it cheeruliy granted.
The lamp of life extinguished, and the old gen.
tlenan was gathered to his fathers. His immense prop
erty was left uReneumbered to his As the will
read, Ella clasped her hands excaiming:
Nov we can repay the debt of gratitude We owe to
him, who, though poor, freely liberated US from the
prison. He shall never know want while it is in our
power TO assist him; and may be live to relieve those
whom the unkindness of others drives to despair
Amen repeated the hasband, and throwing his
arms around both mother and child; they kneeled to
prayer The heart of eich fal for words; but
the recording angel registered it deed worthy Of
the noblest sous of earth.