Des Arc citizen., 1866-11-24
THE LAWYERS RESOLVE;
 Gea bus OF, Eae }so d. THE ANGEL AND THE TEMPTRESS.

promise, ana was so cOnsiucfeu Dy aii in his native town. He was lawyer by profession, and was gradually lay ing the foundation for a strong and steady practice. a3
 He had one great drawback to con- tend against, however. He was a man of a strong, impetuous nature, and had inherited with it a fondness for dissi- patton. In his younger days, and until he had commenced the practice of his profession, he had led a wild. reckless life, and had been regarded as hope less case. Upon receiving his certiii- cate, he had suddenly astonished his friends by an abrupt discontinuance of his old habits, and steady application to his business.
 Yet no one knew what a struggle il cost him to do so. No one knew the mental agony he endured in trying to cast of the temptation which constant ly haunted him, and sought to cast him down from the position he had reached. It was. with him, a continual effort; for, i'll the society in which he moved, not day passed that he did not expe- rience a temptation to abandon his resolution, and indulge ...just once7 in in the dangerous pleasure. His legal
 
 their habits, and they frequently urged him to join them ill a friendly glass ]; and he scarcely attended an entertain ment that he was not offered wine. All these offers were quietly and courte- onsly refused; but sometimes the young man felt that the effort would snap his heart-strings. He made the struggle brayely, though. He firmly resolved never again to taste intoxica- ting liquors, for he knew himself well enough to be assured that his first glass would only lead to another, and the old Thirst for liquor once aroused, he could not tell where it would end. Thus matters stood when this story opens
 Mr. Jackson, feeling assured that he was on the road to success, and that prudence and energy would certainly bring him that blessing, thought it about time that he should take wife He believed that he had arrived at years of discretion, and was capable of making a iudicious selection, and he ended the matter by resolving to settle this question as soon as he had an op- portunity. s..f,.,.
 In tho town in which he was residing were two young women, who had long 1 divided the admiration or the gallants.
 One was beautiful, brilliant crea- ture, with glorious black eyes, and 1 tresses of the same hue. She was by many considered the belle of the town :; and indeed. it did seem hard to find a moro bcautiful woman than Sarah Car l lyle.
 Others, however, gave the preference 1 to Lucy Lane, a quiet, modest little I thing, whose exquisitely sweet face l seemed to have stepped out from one of Raphael's pictures.
 Mr. Jackson had known both ladies | for some time, but as lie had not until recently considered himself "a marry ing man." had regarded them simply as ordinary acquaintances. Like oth- CTS, he had been perpleXed in his eff ! forts to decide which was the more l beautiful. At the first glance, he in variably awarded the palm to Miss Carlyle; but sight of Lucy Lane's | sweet face would scatter this conclu- sion to the winds, and he would feel | irresistibly drawn to the latter
 [ When he made up his mind to hunt for q wife, his thoughts went immedi- ately to the two beauties, and he re- solved, if he found their other qualities such as he hoped, to try to win the one he could love best for his wife; for, to tell the truth, the young man was half in love with both, but with q growing | preference for Lucy. He wanted a ! wife for something more than beauty, and lie could not help believing that he would find what he desired more sure 1 " in Miss Lane than in Miss Carlyle. 1 X favorable opportunity soon present cd itself to decide the question.
 Miss Carlyle felt flattered by the at tentions of ono who bade so fair to achieve distinction, and resolved to win <, him if her powers of fascination could | do so.
 On her twenty-fourth birthnight she gave an entertainment, which surpassed anything the town had ever witnessed. l George Jackson was there. She was radiantly beautiful, and the young man 1 had half determined to address her be- fore the evening was over. 3e4
 When tho guests went into the sup- per-room, MT. Jackson found himself between two beauties. Some one pro- posed the health of the fair hostess, and all but the young man drained their glasses to the bottom. He did not drink. Miss Carlyle noticed this, and said to him, in surprise:
 Is it possible that you refuse to drink my health, MT. Jacksonp ,a''tl
 Pardon me- lie said, calmly; you I know that never drink wine. e.
 But this once will not make any I diflerence,' she urged, smilingly. 6 I T am sorry to refuse you he said 1 but must doso. l resolved five years ago., never to taste any intoxicating liquors. l might do myself great harm by acceding to your request Ioa9 2 < I am sure you cannot do wrong to drink one glass, and that to my health, she said, as sWeetly as before.
 She saw Lucy Lane watching them calmly, and she meant to show that young lady how greatly she had the young lawyer in Ter power. But fol this she would have accepted his ex, cuse, and have ceased to urge him. Miss Lanes face flushed, as she heard the young temptress' speech, and in. voluntarily she gazed at Jackson, as i ] laWaiting his answer. ~r
 Miss Carlyle, said the young man
 with evident embarrassment, I bes you will not urge me in this matter. ! have made solemn resolution to ab ,, staiu ffono all. iufovicafiuts liounl.c