The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-06-17
DEVOTION.

Away down in the great, cold State of
Maine, and in the little city of R,
lives well-to-do printer Many years
had be sent forth his ever welcomed
sheet, and his patrons must have been
more ready with the needful than sub
seribers generally are, for this printer Lot
only furnished and enjoyed all the COM
forts. but entered somewhat into the lux
uries, OF life, and appeared above board.
At the time Of winch I write the prin-
ter's family consisted of himself, wife,
two sous and two daughters but as the
eldest daughter is the heroine of this
sketch, her only will describe
Helen was young, well educated and
pretty. Her eyes were bright and dark,
hair black, and skin smooth and fair. No
wonder that William sought favor in her
eyes; but she had rather an independent
way of putting on little scowl and put
ting out her full lips-and yet this, in
stead of detracting from, seemed to add
q charm
About this time there appeared in the
streets Of R, young man named
William Curtis He seemed to be
stranger to every one, but he entered into
a very respectable business, and his stu
dious application and gentlemanly ap-
peararce and courtesy to customers fore
told that be must succeed.
But, as weeks rolled on, things chang
ed, and, owing to sudden slack of bust
ness and considerable competition, young
William was compelled to close up his
large and elegan: store, and reopen a
small book binding establishment on a
second floor This Illustration of his fret
hopes and brilliant promises may have
been the reason of his dabbling at the
wine cup.
Being at social party one evening be
made the acquaintance of Helen, the prin-
ter's daughter, and after enjoying her
conversation for an hour and attending
her to her home he came to the conclu-
sion that she was the finest and most
agreeable young lady that he had ever
met
The acquaintance. thus begun, ripened
into friendship, and, at last, into love :;
but, although William was paying bis
addresses to SO chaste and beautiful be.
ing, he continued to indulge himself with
strong drink and to associate with men of
doubtful character.
For long time these secret revelries
were kept from the trusting Helen, but
at last they became publicly known and,
of course reached her startled ears. Some
girls, with less love in their hearts and
of purpose, would at once
have dismissed the intemperate lover
but Helen's love was too deep, and upon
him had she placed all her future hopes
and expectations No wonder that the
poor girl wept when the terrible and hu-
news was broken to her, but she
knew Williams heart, and she could turn
him from his evil ways-et least so she
thought. -
But an unfortunate occurrence took |
place, which cast her new resolutions
and hopes from her mind,-blasted for
ever. The printer and his good wife /
having become aware of the almost beast
ly state into which their daughters lover
had descended, called Helen to them and
in positive but gentle terms informed her
that hencefOrth all intimacy between her
and William must cease, as the Tespecta- /
bility Of the household demanded it and
furthermore his visits to the house were
objected to.
This was the most cutting blow of all
to Helen; but beings girl Of geod sense,