The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-19

Daring the succeeding week 1 received q
visit from my college chuR fAck Stanton,
who had just opened law office at Berry
vile. Alter supper, as we sat in our cosy
parior smoking our cigars, | suggested that
bottle Of wine would not come amiss. Jack
shook his head.
"No, Charlie" he said, "we'll leave the
wine for those who need II"
You used to drink Jack"
Yes, but it never done ne any good"
And do you think il ever done you any
harm ~
As 10 that | viii not say il never shall
do me any harm Iknow ii has harmed
others who were as strong ~ | am. By the
way, Charlie, isn't Mary Granville here r.
Yes said I.
"Do YOU know her ?" NJ
turned away my face and pretended to
have heard something at the window
"rve seen her, | replied, when | had
composed myself. She plays the organ in
the church." 4am
" She and were schoolpstes," pursued
Stanton; + and speaking Of wine brings her
to my mind. Do you know anything Of ner
early life p tai n aul
+" Nothing" answered. a'
L
out feeling my resolution of total abstinence
grow stronger and stronger. When we
were school children together her father
was the wealthiest man in Berryville, and
she and her brother We're among the happt-
est Of the happy.
"Mr Granville was in the habit Of drink
ing wine, and the habit grew upon him un-
til he felt he could not live without his
braniy. 4se. nssc fsF
"He was of social disposition, and in
time it came to pass that he was, often gross
y intoxicated. OF course, under such cir
cumstances, one of two things must happen
the man must reform or must sink. Mr..
Granville did not reform and ere many
years he died drunkard's death, leaving
his family to poverty and suffering.
Thomas, the son, four years older than
Mary, became dissipated, and at the age Of
eighteen was killed in street fight in New
York. Mrs. Granville survived her son but
a few months-absolutely dying, the doctor
said Of broken heart. bv
"Poor Mary left fatherless and mother
less, without Drosher and sister, at the age
of fifteen, was forced TO earn the bread
which she ate-and nobly has she done it.
| II you know her, Charlie, you know one Of
the noblest women that ever lived. But
y hats the matterf Why, bless me you
lo ok as pale as ghost e-,.s - -4 5..L -.
struggled with myself, and told Jack
tha, l had swallowed lot Of cigar smoke.
ros, and opened one Of the easements and
steppe out on the balcony, where the fresh
air res ored ne. ea..st sf
At |. late hour Jack departed for the hotel
and 'ghen had retired to my chamber |
paced too and fro till after midnight. l
could ny longer misunderstood the motive
which had actuated Mary in rejecting my
hand. She knew that | was in the habit
Of useiDg wine, and on that evening when
last we met, she must have discovered that
had drank enough to bring a false flush
to my cheeks. " sag 9o
"Oh, my Godf'' ejacuiated, as /
sank into chair q chair, wonder not
that she refused to place her future life
in my keeping. She has suffered enough
from the accursed co.,. The night Of sorrow
and desolation. has been long enough upon
ner. She would be worse than mad to take
- husband whose opening path in life led
towards the pitfali into which the loved of
other days haa fAilen. 1l1
"But,n asked myself, "why did she not
tell me the whole truth r. s -,
found no difficulty In answering the
question. She had shrunk from wounding
my feelings knew how sensitive she vas,
and l knew she was afraid of offending me.
Perhaps she thought ue proud snd head
strong enough to resent such liberty on her
part and perhaps she imagined might look
upon her part "a the offering Of her hand in
consideration Of my renouncing eths wine
cup, and that might spurn her offer.
On Friday Jack Stanton left me, and on
Saturday evening / called at Mary's boarding
|house.-Mary herself answered my sum-
mons- She started when she saw me, and
sew her right hand move quickly towards
her heart -Wciit 7ai tea1ea rs taA
= sMary," said I, speaking calmly. fer !
had mighty strength Of will TO support
me. 81 have not come to- distress you l
have como asia friend, and humbly ask
that you will give ne IN audience for . fsw
moments" tsssr'sst n5 sH4isp.3 .4s.
She went into the parler, and / followed
her, closing the door after me, when we
were alone. She set lamp upon the table
and mentioned me to seat Hti
"No," said |, II will not sit down yet
Give me your hand Mary" fst y"
: Mechanically sheput forth her hsnds, and
1 took thsm in my own. There was won
dering look in, her eyes, and slight 6dsh
t-I come to her pale checks. ,t., ts
"Mary," continded, speaking slowly and
softly, and 4 knew that the moisture was
gathering In my eyes, .'yoa must answer
one question. Answer it IS you please, and
take my solemn- assurance that | ask it only
for your good. Pcli me, do you love me 7
No, no-A-do4 not take your hands away yet
Answer me ifs ycu can. Feaf af'notA4oh, lear
not |; for / had rather 20 iutS endless night
than DO you wrong. fslI ms, do y6ti love