Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-09-06

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church over yonder,) and tearfully
kissed her, wishing her joy, as, after
the ceremony, she leaned like a white
lilly on the arm of her proud, young
husband. Poor thing, her joy was ol
short duration. - 'oi
"Their home was little white
cottage, shaded by graceful old elms
where into the open windows the vine
branches swayed and blossoms drift
ed all summer long, The villagers
as they heard Nettie's glad voice car
rolling over her work, or saw her
standing in the portico at twilight
watching for the return of her hus.
band, rejoiced in the happiness Of
their favorite. By and by, a little
babe was given them; little Alice
with her fathers clear eyes, and her
mothers sunny hair. Then their
happiness seemed complete. They
did not dream of the sorrow to come
zone day Walter was the over.
seer at a raising, as the putting up
of the frame of building is called
and, a drizzling rain coming on, he
became wet to the skin. Going into
friends house to warm himself, he
was offered a glass of wine, to prevent
taking cold. At first he refused, but
fear of ridicule gained the mastery
and he drank it. After that the ap
petite once being awakened, it was
not difficult to make him drink wine
and at length, he took a glass regu
larly every day. He did not intend
to become a drunkard-no, indeed
no one does when he first enters the
drunkard,s road; yet very few who
start on that path, fail to reach the
end.
"This appetite strengthened fast
One glass of wine per day soon merged
into three or four glasses of brandy
His business was neglected, and the
greater part of his time spent al
Smiths tavern. He could not OF
would not perceive, as others did, thai
day by day, his hands became feeble
his eyes blood-shot, and his conscience
dulled. Nettie put away as long a;
she could, the terrible knowledge
that was forcing itself upon her, bu
it became certainty at last. Their
poor thing, her earthly happiness wa;
over.
Two years went by, and matter;
had gone from bad to worse at Elm
cottage. Walter Grey was con
firmed inebriate. His wife no long
er watched with a smile on her lips
for his coming at nightfall, but will
the lines of care deepened fearful,
on her young face, toiled early an(
late to support herself and child
One by one, luxuries and comforts ha(
disappeared from their home, but thi
cottage. through the almost superhu
man efforts of Mrs. Grey, yet remain
ed to them. Walter Grey was no
wholly hardened, and, moved by tn,
prayers and tears Of his wife, oftel
attempted to reform; but the demon
that held him, was stronger than he
and he would ever sink back again t.
his old habits.
Zone night, coming home, as usual
half intoxicated, he found his wife
overcome by fatigue, had fallen aslee
on the lounge, her child clasped clos
to her bosom. Something in thei
pale faces troubled him, and he passe
into another room. Here he proceed
ed to light his pipe, but his hand
were so unsteady that half bunch o
matches were lighted and droppe
before he accomplished it. After this
: he staggered out into the moonligh
down through the elms. and seate
himself in little glen out OF sight .
the house. That night, the cry o
Fire ! startled the sleeping villagers
and sent them hurriedly to the seen
of destruction. Their shouts, and tn
confusion, at last awoke Walter Gre
from the heavy sleep of intoxicatio
into which he had fallen, and gettin
upon his feet, impelled by curiosity, h
, followed the sound. Reaching th
, top of the hill, he beheld his own CO.
tage wrapped in flames The seen
/ sobered him at once, and sent oil
/ memories thronging the time whe
!; he, strong in his manhood, had ca
ried his young wife to that cottage J
the happy days he had spent there.
"Quickening his steps, he dashe
in among the crowd. The ones h
sought were no where to be seen.
"'My wife my childl' he gaspe'
: "Oh Heavens where are they?
5 "The people fell back with solem
/ faces, but two men led toward wher
| on litter, some object lay hidden b
t a sheet. Filled with a terrible pr,
, sentiment, he broke away from tt
3 kind hands that would have detaine
7 him, tore away the sheet, and with
}, cry that rings in the ears oethose WI
D heard it, fell senseless beside the dea
D bodies of his wife and child. Thel
t they lay, yet clasped in each other
s arms, their faces begrimed by smok
Y their clothing scorched by flames, bl
: calm and beautiful still. A youn
< man, at the risk of his own life, brougI
S Nettie and her child from the fire
0 kindled, as we afterward learned, /
i the matches Walter had thrown ava
| but it was too late. The smoE
pouring in from the adjoining rooI
y had suffocated them as they slept.
/, Il will show you their graves chill
n ren, under willow in the corner {
g the churchyard. 98 80 ass
h "Walter Grey awoke at last, b