North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-04-04

| Again opened my dim eyes. The vision
seemed waver ng now, but on, did it not
wear the saintedA beauty of sweet Lucy
Manning? ADquiet unuttcrable peace
took possession Of my entire being. for
got wealth, health, everything. My past
! life seems biotted Out, and was once again
innocent, untouched by the gripping hand
of avarice, true loving and loved--and Lu-
ey Manning was my idol.
But recovered slowly, and at last as
my strength SURE ly returned, missed her
As soon as she sawI could be left with
safety she had left me, and oh, the blank
the dreadful blank.
wandered around my room now so
desolate, and saw the many evide aces of
my misery habits. know not why, but
towards my wife my feelings seem to have
undergone revulsion. fear / hated her.
She had nearly beggared me, had dectiv-
et me, shattered my health, destroyed all
my hopes.
Months passed before | was able to esti-
mate tue damage that had been done to me.
Every means that could be put forth were
used for the recovery of my money, but all
in vain. ~"
One night / set by the fire cherries,
d sappointed and lonely man | had been
thinking thoughts that only burned my
brain, bnt did not purify my heart.
If had only married sweet Lucy" |
said again and again, "al this had not
been So.
My housrkeeper came in with letter
an unusually large package it was-and
as 1t bore a foreign post-mark opened it
with a trembling hand. What was that ?
Arustling crumpled bank Eote Another
aud an another came forth, until there laid
upon my knees twenty bills of the largest
denomination. A few trembling lines ac-
campaigning them:
My husband am dying: my diseas
there is no need Of telling you. Forgive
me accept this enclosed as ii faint effort to-
ward restitution. 1t is not much over half
that we took from the safe The rest is
| know not where. | am deserted. Fare
well, forever"
An icy chill thrilled me. 1t seemed as
if her spectral presence was near me. |
shu derv1 as rolled the bills together,
and threw them across the room.
g Lie there, cursed ofmy SOUL" | cried
IS Lie there till have conquered myself -
ny, if the victory is not won till you are
rotten.'
| shut the door up and scaled it, and for
ak months tJiled like a penniIess man.
till partially redeemed myself By man
aging cautiously, l placed my business on
a Successful footing, and began life as a
new man. ttook many a year to wear
off my old habits OF parsimony, bnt every
effort gave me new and agreeable pleas
ure
Meantime Lucy Manning became dearer
to me than she had ever been in the flush
of youth. | entreated her forgiveness,
humble myself to a confession. tested my
self in all ways, and convinced her at last
that | was as worthy now as once was in
seeming. On the day of my wedding.
opened the sealed door. The bank notes
lay where | had flung them. / took them
up with the pride Of conquerer, and pIac-
ing them in her hands, exclaimed
They are no longer my masters use
them as you will"
Now am mar !-redeemed from the
| thraliOm OF covetousncss, | have three
blooming children. Lucy is an angel Of
goodness, and write of myself as | did at
the beginning =" BY the grace OF God l
: am what | am