Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-07-12

L was too tho roughly wretched to have any
appetite, and my husband ate but little.
Our stay at the table was short, and after
our return to our room, | could no longer
control myself, but burst into violent tit
OF weeping. George tried in vain TO s0othe
NE.
Why, Mary, am astonished at your
chlldlshness You could not expect to lind
III boarding house the comforts of home. y
No" l replied. but why leave those
contorts?"
''Inere is no use discussing that now. 1t
is done. Besides 1t is not kind to reproach
me tor what you know conduces so much to
my advantage. At home you are aware how
often have sat studying and writing until
far INTO midnight. Here my duties cease at
four clock.
/ ceased weeping instantly. You shall
never hear another regret. | did not think
OF that.
And yet, those very midnight studies,
how much OF comfort there was IN t.!en, be-
side our cozy hearth. But away with re-
gret IiuIe passed on. Some Of the tel
low boarders were pleasant, others quite the
contrary. But | saw little of them, except
iii the dining room.
1ne first month of my stay rolled away
more rapidly than | anticipated \ first
visit IN " Washington presents 30 much to IN
terest that | half forgot the discomtorts a.
round le.
Another month rolled on. Scarcely an
evening passed that Mr.. Elroy was not COM
PEELED TO return 10 his Office, TO finish some
writing that he had been unable tN finish
during the day. The one advantage which
he had seemed to prize most-leIsure time
20 pursue other srudies-he certainly had
fnF. n l- Iyh H,l
was weary. far too weary with the close ap-
pIication TO his desk during the day $50 en-
tirel different from his old liie) to read with
pleasure.
George, | thought your time would be
at your disposal after four o clock, instead
OF which You return to the Office every even
my.
Yes" he said, ''but | do not think this
will last, | believe there is an unusual press
Of business just now.
Il trust 1t may not; for such constant
confinement tells upon you.
YES, am sensible ot that. The duties,
too, are 50 different from my old studies,
that they are irksoma TO me. However this
will wear off in time. -
| could not help contrasting the wearled
expression which his face wore, with the
old happy look, and be more than ever
convinced what sad mistake he had made.
Regularly upon the first day oi the month
my husband returned from the Office with
the fruit OF his labors in his pocket, viz :
one hundred thirty-three dollars and thirty
three cents First to our landlady. ninety
dollars wash till, five dollars and thirty
eight dollars and thirCy-three cents were left
TO pay all incidental Xpendltures-scarcely
sufficient to pay for Georges midday lunch,
and the oysters he insisted upon getting at
eight because he was hungry.
Are not our expenses enormous here
[ ventured to inquire.
They certainty are much heavier than
antic pated.
Quite double those at home, are they
not Z
Il am afraid they will prove so. ~
[ could not understand what pecunary ad-
vantages had accrued to us, but-patience.
soon touni bodily discomforts were not
the ouly ones in store for he. My hus-
ands habits, always of very domestic ma
ture, were visably undergoing change.
The confinement 10 our room annoyed him.
Littl by little his absence became more pro-
ionged, until rarely saw him now from
dinmer-t time until ten. eleven or twelve o =
clock at night, as it happened.
He must go around TO the hotels and hear
what was gong on. | could not expect HIM
to stay in our roou all the time. He must
smoke and that was impossible IN cham
ber.
One evening in particular, L remember
feeling unusually depresse Land buried III
my owngloomy rhcus hts, Twas more than sur
prised upon looking at my watch, TO discover
l~had SAT until nearly midnight. Mr.. Eroy
had not returned. Where could he be ?
The thought had scarcely suggested itself,
when heard the sound of ascending steps
upon the stairs \ feeling of dlsappolnt-
nent fell heavily upon me. They were not
my husband :, and vet they approached my
room. and were followed by a knock upon
my door.
| cautiously turned the key and said,
''Wh rs there :
Me, . was the reply, in strangely thick
tone, and yet my husband s.
No one can realize The horror with which
[ regarded him when he entered. His eyes
were blood shot and swollen; his hair dis
hevelled and his whole appearance bearing
evidence, terrible evidence 10 me, OF lntoXl-
cation.
What on earth Mary are you doing up
until this time Of night :? he hiccoughed
You ought to have been ir bed two hours
ago
could not speak, my heart was too full.
Ny husband had never beer teetoller. but
in all our married life | had never seen HIM
under the influence of stlmulents IN the
slightest degree-had never feared that L
ever should do so. Only wives who have
been place. in like situations can Imagine
the agony felt.
went to bed, but no sleep visited my pil
low that night. 1t seemed as though II
would never end. My husband lay in the
deep unconsciouSuess of intoxication by my
side. His labored breathing and whlskey
perfun.ed breath proved too great antidotes
to rest on my part Heaven in Its mercy