The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-25
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY. MARCH 25 1864

something of the calmness of despair. In the
next room went her two eldest children; while
her youngest, a fine boy slept in his little cot
beside her own bed
q" Poor things!" she muttered, a. she thought
of them. Poor innocent victims of the worst
vice that ever cursed humanity-may your
Heavenly Father protect and provide for YOU,
for / fear In your earthly one there is little
hope.
The opening of the street door and an irreg-
ular heavy step on the stairs interrupted her
revery. A new dread seized Margaret; with
all his faults her husband had never vet drank
to excess. Was intemperance now added to
his sins? He opened the door and staggered
in: but she saw at a glance it was not the eff
feet of liquor which was upon him, though his
steps were uncertain and his face haggard.
"Oh! Edward, my husband what is it?
tell me-what has happened? Speak :"
Ruin, Maggie-ruin for us all J" said he.
despondently, as he sank on the side of the
bed and clasping his hands across his knees,
dropped his head on his breast.
terrible suspicion crossed Margarets mind.
She knew Edward had that day received con-
siderable sum of money from client. a friend
who. had stuck to him, and trusted him in oil
his troubles. 1t had never occurred to her to
question her husbands honesty: this, at least,
she had deemed above suspicion. Could he
have lost this sacred trust at the gambling ia
BILE! The thought was too horrible to enter
tain: yet it flashed like lightning through her
mind.
"Edwardi" she exclaimed; ''you have not
You have not" She could get no further,
''Yes, but have Maggie lost ere,y cent of
Clayton's money! p said he, with the sulleness of
despair.
For few moments the poor stricken wife
gazed wildly upon her sinful husband and then,
as if strength had been given her from above,
she laid her hand on his shoulder, and said,
calmly and sOlemnly-
Edward Morton. what do you expect is to
become of us-Of me, your wife, and your poor
innocent children ?"
He almost shrank from that light touch, as
he replied in broken accents
"Oh! that were dead Maggie it would
be better for you all There is nothing left me
but DEATH"
''And disgrace for your children! No, Ed
ward Morton, you must live-live to redeem
your character. This, as your wife, the mother
of your children. have right to demand of
yon;"
fell with strange power upon his heart. Could
this be his patient. gentle Maggie; this cold,
stern woman who addressed him with the look
and air of superior? For an instant he gazed
at her pale, rigid features met her clear bright
eyes which seemed to search him through and
then sinking his own, he shook his head de
spondingly.
''It is useless struggle, Margaret. have
nothing to live for"
"Look on that sleeping child--upon me,
your almost heart-broken wife and never
repeat such nonsense, Edward. Come, my
husband, added she more gently, "all is not
yet lost. Rouse yourself to one manly effort
and all may be saved
How? What do you mean, Margaret?"
Listen. and I will tell you. He you have
&c <,f Ia
have often said he was your best friend Go
to him then, bravely. and confess your error
tell him all-the infatuatiOn-the madness of
your recent career. and throw yourself on his
mercy. My life for it, Edward, you will not
repent it
you ask"
i'You must, Edward said she firmly, but
gently. For my sake do SO /; and all the
sorrow, the heart-burnings the anguish you
have caused me, shall be forgotten-forgiven :;
do so, and if exposure and disgrace follow, I
will share your lot still and never one word
of reproach shall pass my lips"
He could resist no longer Rising to his feet
and laying his hands upon her shoulders, he
met her imploring eyes with firm look as he
Margaret ,eiH, the first thing in the
morning."
And he did So He went to his friend, and
sorrowfully, but manfully, acknowledged his
sin-told him the whole career of the last few
years. the struggle of the last night. and how
it was through his wife's pursua.ions and en-
treaties that he had taken the resolution to
come openly and meet the consequences of his
fault. And the Angel of Mercy touched that
friends heart! In the spirit of Christian gen.
tleman, he stretched forth his hand, and said,
as he grasped the others firmly
Morton, you have done right. I forgive
you freely, for your own sake, but more espe-
cially for that of your noble true hearted WIFE,
Promise me, in her name, that you will shake
off this vice, and be yourself again"
81 do, do promise-so help me God!" ex
-claimed Edward Morton, in broken accents !;
tears OF repentance and gratitude filling his
eyes.
Mr.. Clayton walked to the ether end of his
study, and busted himself a moment at his
desk, giving his friend time to suppress his
emotion.
"And now, Morton, said he, returning. let
the past be forgotten. AS for the money you
can repay it when you earn it; which, have
no doubt will be very soon. In the meantime
here is check for fifty dollars; it will not do
to leave you penniless. Nay, take it," added
he, seeing that the other drew back, land
consider it a retainer, for have some impor-
tant law business which l wish you to take
hold of at once. So go along now, old fellow,
ana meet me at your office at noon.
Language cannot paint the joy of Margarets
heart on the return of her husband, nor the
deep satisfaction which pervaded his own
bosom, overcoming the sense of recent humili-
alton. They, only who have sinned can know
the sweets of repentance and forgiveness!
Reformed from his errors, and thoroughly
redeemed from his infatuation, Edward Nor
tons success in life has been steady and on.
ward. He has not only repaid his friend Clay
ton, but rendered him many important serv 9.
Looking with horror upon she soul destroying
vice of gambling, he has still great charity for
its victims, and has aided more than once to es-
cape the snares which had so nearly DESTROYED
himself. And in consenting to the publication
of this truthful narrative-wherein the names
only are ictitious-he hopes every one who
loving wife IS Maggie, and as true and noble
friend as James Clayton.