Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-06-22
THE FALLEN.

IwoWeeks since, as was walking up Cherry
street, observed very ragged iildressed specimen
OF humanity approaching me by a cross street, and
beckonlng to nae to stop What can this man want
with me was the first inquiry that presented itself
to my minds He was evidently drunk and so alto
gether repulsive was his appearance that corclu-
ded to walk but some Irresistible force seemed to
chain me to the spot, and calmly awaited his ap-
proach. & @
Good morning Dsctor-how do Won do INV old
school fellow-glad to yeu-have pet here for
your inspection" (as he presented very much in
Hamed and swollen foot) 'Come, don't you know me?
I'm drunk and ragged but | know you hayn't for.
gotten Tom Forester" And at these last words, his
face wore an expression of mingled melancholy and
/ shame which can neye, forget. He had spoken
| right. Truly knew him-knew him as an old class
mate, and knew every chapter in the history of his
downward course to ruin and shame.
took him to my Office, examined his foot which
was very badly confused gave him prescription,
and, after obtaining pledge from him that he would
drink 10 more, let him depart taking to follow
! him unobserved to grocery. afterwards learned
he begged for Pint of wlskey, telling the grocery
keeper the Infamous lie that the Doctor had advised
him to bathe his foot with it. at the same time telling
the man he had no money However, as might have
Been expected he went away without that balm of
Gilead with which he vanly hoped to heal all his
wounds in the Bacchanalian reye.ries ofdrunkenness
Reader, would you know the history Of this mis-
cradle man? If SO, 60 with to little. village in
one Of our Western States. There he was my school,
of superior attainments. With him are associated
some of the most pleasurable recollections of my
school-boy days. for Twas then boy, ana he ysung
man, the boasted pride Of all who knew him. Fathers
pointed him out to their sons model for emulouS
action, mothers recommended him to the favorable
consideration of their fair daughters, and young
courted the acquaintance of the dashing, yet vrtu
Gus and moral Tom Forester. In fine, he seemed
the very embodiment of all that was good and true,
while IN personal appearance he almost without
an equal II the village and school and what made
him still more attractive to some he the envied
owner Of a small fortune.
/ Two years passed on from the time had formed
his Acquaintance. when change occurred which
created eoits 9 sensation n the private crcss q orr
college with high hopes Of success AS he left the
parlor OF oldshr. Raymond, starting teardrop was
in his calm blue eye. He snatched the parting kiss
from the hand Of the old mans daughter gentle
and lovely Annie. That morning she had promised
to share his destiny, and be his bride when he re-
turned from college
Autumn and winter, spring and summer few swift
ly by, and Tom returned of the brightest grad
yates of his Alma Mater, Many were the compli-
mentary parties given to him; and, as he tripped
upon the light fantastic toe strayed the village
green with the beautiful Annie by his SIDE none was
happier than he and none looked forward to future
joy with sweeter antcpations than the beautiful An
ME Raymond.
Two months after his return he was married !; and,
the blusnng annie stood at the altar the bridal
wreath which entwined her brow, became loose and
fell to the floor. slight stir in the audience indi
Gated that this noticed but all passed off pleas
antly. IL. -....-. .--..s..s s. .,.ss...=
Reader could our simple story end here, all would
be well but lass over few years of sunshine and
storm with the young couple, and again visit that
once happy cottage home. You more see thu
bright smile play upon the dimped cheek of its once
fair mistress. She now hangs sadly, with the tear
drop glisenng in her eye, two helpless and star
wing chill dren. Intemperance has entered this Eder
of happiness and like the scorching breath of Etna.
lungs, has wthered every green bough of happiness
that once waved gently around her con6ding heart
r Tom Forester had become drunken vagabond. H'
for whom she had left all the nameless endearment
that clustered around her chidhoods home, ha'
strewn her connubial path with thorns, instead
the bright flowers of enjoyment
: Time passed on and wandered away to seek some
profession: but once again returned to R.. Ton
!, no longer had home. The wife who had so Wild.
> loved him in youths sunny hours had passed away
. and slept where the cypress waves its droopin
Q branches The children too left without mother
j solicitors care like Alpine lambs, have found hom
q in higher and greener pastures. res.s..
If Reader need say more
sThus had the ruby sparkling wine
fiom its hsllest shrlne;
. u stead wreath OF woe,
" In the faded hopes OF long ago.
IS 1.-The croynng bliss of woman's life,
IS breathed in gentle name of wife;
a n the deepest pang that hcr heaiI can know,
- Is the blighted love OF long ago.