Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-12-22
M[istelareous
est Insania.
A TRUE STORY.-DY JAMES 4. B.
FOR rnr SPIRIT OF THE AGE.

A TRUE STORY.-DY Nj A. B.
30 ever thus from chlldhood's hours,
I've seen my fondest hopes decay:
Inever loved q tree or flower.
But twas the first to fade away
In one of the eastern counties of the
State of North Carolina, lived not many
years ago a @an of reputation, whou we
shall here call Henry May. His parents
dying while he was but a child, he was Ia
ken into a country store as a Clerk. And
he was so admired for his honesty and cor
r~ectness that be very soon won the esteem
and admiration of all who knew him. He
continued in this occupation until ne had
arrived to the age Of fifteen, when he was
sent to school until his twentieth year. He
excelled BY far the greater part Of bis
schoolmates in most Of bis studies. After
having left school, (to the deep regret of
all his schoolnates) he entered business in
the town of NJ, as a wholesale mer-
chant. His income increased rapidly, for
his popularity was not excelled. Among
his numerous customers were many of the
fair sex. And it may be supposed that
Henry Mays mind was not wholly fixed
on making money, tor since his removal to
the city his mind had been absorbed in an
other sphere; he had become cnamored
with a beautiful and lovely little maiden
for whom he would have at any moment
sacrificed his last cent.
Henry May was tall, rather slender, with
black hair, dark brown eyes, and had a
very pleasant countenaIce. He was hand
some, and SO thought MaggiessBurDette, as
he sat by her side with his large hazel eyes
fixed steadfastly upon her beautiful face,
speaking more touchingly than words the
sentiments of his heart. She readily &C
copied the prize, as she thought, and in a
short while they were man and wife.
The first few years of they marriage life
were spent, as in a happy Paradise. There
was nothing lacking to complete their hap
piness, and all the future seemed bright
and lovely. But, alas how often do we
see our fondest hopes decay! Henry
May had tasted Of that poisonous liquor
which destroys the happiness, obstructs
the prosperity aud brushes the hopes Of so
many thousands. The more he drank the
more his craving appetite thirstcd for it,
and thus he continued until his business
was fast decreasing, and it was the general
impression that Henry May, the gifted and
noble young merchant and citizen, WAS
doomed to fill a druukard's grave.
Poor Maggie, how we pity her! Only
two years ago she looked upon the future as
bright and lovely. She saw no lowering
cloud that would tend to mas her earthly
peace and happiness. But, ali she ha,
seen her brightest, l~oveliest and most sub
lime hopes and prospects crushed by the
demon of drunkenness Her husband wa
y speedily being deprived of his prop rty b,
making bad bargains, &c, until his credi
tors, seeing the end to which he was SC
speedily drawing, began to secure thei
debts, and it is not surprising to say tina
he had not enough to pay them all. Hi
store was compelled to be sold at public
auction, and also his elegant mansion AM
furniture. Nothing was left him but hi
ever-craving appetite for alcohol, and hi
little family, consisting of his wife and on
child-a little girl Of five years. The
were driven to the necessity of seekin
shelter in a poor miserable howell wlthou
windows to protect them from the chillin
blasts of the winter storms.
But Henry May was not long for tn
world, for in q few weeks he slept in
grave over which no star Of hope shed j
radiant beams. His wife was thrown Npc
the cold world with nothing to cheer Al
comfort her dropping spirits, nothing
console her broken heart but her bible Al
her interesting little girl, who was nam
after her mother. But amid AL the
misfortnnes, and under all these most sevc
trials, Mrs. May bore up with the great
fortitude. She was employed as teach
and in his occupation she did justice
herself and gave eutire satisfaction to |
=. patrons.
Twelve years have passed, and MagI
May the Younger has grown up a beauti
and accomplished woman. She had
mirers many, but she politely declined
till there came one &ho bowed at
. shrine OF her beauty and. loneliness,
nonfed forth his love frou a true he
that won her own. But both were door
TO see their ioudest hopes decay /: FOR b
;np once seen him intoxicated, she spur
him from her presence as she won
poisonous serpent. ., what remorse
experienced! lie implored for torglv
time and again, but all in vain.
serpent had stung her mother
his fspgs still ranked 10 her tender h
sbe could not think of marryings
who loved the accused cup.
From the State Jour