Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-05-04
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FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
WOMAN'S INFLUENCE.
A TALE OF LOVE AND PRINCIPLE.
BY ERAro. --(coScLUDED. J

Tie ana Lena, acleu WniIc Lne lalLec turned
one from the path of sin,. the former lured
one on to ruin. Carrie, Carrie, what have
you done2 Could you see the misery for
yourself in that glass of wine, you would
never have told Wilbar to 'partake this once
on this the happiest day of my life" lone
glass will do no harm it looks so unsociable.
not to drink with me" He drank it. After
that party, DR.. Wilbar Stunned the society
of Mr. G. and Lena: he could not bear that
they should know his fall, for he felt that he
had fallenl SIS. =.
Months came and went; in October, Char
lie Wilbar led Carrie Devon to the Hymeneal
altar. The same day there was double
marriage. Lena and Lawyer Leighton"
were married also.
Soon DR.. w. and his Carrie left W, to
find home in the city of --. Letters
came often from the happy Carrie, telling of
her beautiful home and Lover husband"
Lena and Leighton were as happy as splen-
did home, loving hearts, contentment and
honor, could make them. Soon after their
marriage Leighton connected himself with
the church to which his wife belonged He
often spoke Of the night that be made that
VOW, land have never regretted it i" said
he, once when they were speaking of it. +" [
shall always thank heaven for directing my
steps to - Springs in 1889, for if had
never known you, Lena, | should no doubt
have filed drunkard's grave. What deal
of good or i'll woman can do. Just think,
yOs saved me, while Carrie has ruined Char
lie Wilbar."
Lena locked up in astonishment at this
declaration of her husband.
Ten years have winged away
the home of Lawyer, now Judge Leighton, is
Unclaimed. save By the merry face of Eu-
gene, jr., who is IN his ninth year, a beauti-
ful boy, with all his fathers manliness and
mothers lovliness. Mamma why dues Pa
stay away so late tonight" ?" exclaimed Eu-
gene as ne rose from his chair by Mrs. Leigh
ton and looked through the window.
~ cannot tell, dearest; he will come soor,
/ reckon Are you tired waiting for tea?-
You can have yours now, if you wish"
"Ol dear mamma, we'll wait for Pa. l
think he's in the veranda now;" and Eugene
run to open the door.
Leighton entered leading, or rather carry
ing. q gentleman in the room. "Some slim
ulants, quick Lena" he said as he placed
, his burden on the sofa. In a moment Lena
was kneeling beside the unconscious man,
D.. bathing his face. Throwing back his SLOUGH
ed hat and matted hair, she started back in
astonishmcnt:. :" Oh! it cannot be Wilbar
What is the matter with him ?" exclaimed
Lena, looking up in her husbands face.
"Yes it is Wilbar-our once noble Will
bar. Oh that he too, could have had AZ
dnqeI to keep him from sin But Carrie gave
him drink, and she has done this Beholt
the effect of one glass of wine"
Leighton sighed deeply; told his wife tina
but for her, he too might have been n Viii
bars situation. They watched over him
rubbed his stiffened limbs and soon saw tina
he was getting better, but he did not arouse
only fell into quiet slumber from which h
did not awake that night.
Leighton told Lena of his stumbling owe
something on the pavement, and hearing
groan, he stopped down, removed the ha
and found by the pale lamp-light that it wa
Wilbsr, beastly drunk and nearly frozen.-
The reader knows the rest
Next morning Wilbar awoke and lookin
around thought that the past was only no
rible reality. Lena talked to him kindly
he was sullen at last he cried out, "gi,
rue rum, or | shall die. Obi my brain reel
where's Carrie and Charlie? Why killt
them. l, yes, this poor wretch killed ther
And Fannie, God only knows where she is
dead and her murderer perhaps. Lei
why do you remain before me to remind n
of my gentle Carrie 7"
Lena tried 10 get him to tell his histor
~ cannot! OIL cannotl Carries pa
face is ever before me. Oh, Carrie Carri
thou gentle, loving one, why did you NAL
me drink that wine? You knew it wou
damn me. Ohl how could you tempt me
leave the path Of virtuel "Oh, Carrie, CO
tinued he, lowering his voice almost tc
whisper, "you will come back, won't yo
and bring Charlie, my noble boy. I'll gi
you something to eat, you shall not kill yo'
self working. No, no. I'll be SO kind, a
YOU shan't live in c., any longer. Fa
ME shall have shoes too. Come back, G.
RE. ohl come back !" and he shrieked, lot
" calling for Carrie"