Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-01-03

my simple duty"
The kind lady. expressed.a willingness
to do anything she could 70 aid him j
accomplishing his purpose.
"If could only obtain BOARDING wit
some private family" he said, hesitaing'
ly, where could spend my evenings an
leisure aours, instead Of spending then
with reckless persons who hspg about ou
hotels and public boarding houses. | an
not, hope. naturally bad 'lan, aud can
/ think. produce sa,islactt,x kietences q
to MY character, with the exception of thi
one bad habit, and might have beef
saved from that, had 1t not been for on
thing. Ny parents both died when wa
very young, leaving me 10 the care Of
friend, who, being very careless man
suffered me from early Childhood to cboos,
my own associates, and 70 grow up almos
entirely without restraint. A few month";
ago MY friend died. since which time
have had no permanent home, which hat
naturally thrown me into much bad CON-
pany, aud ia an unguarded hour drank
and became intoxicated. Subsequently
was overcome by temptation again, aud
the habit has grown upon ne with such
fearful rapidily that fear without som,
friendly restraint II will hnally work my
ruin. Having lately become of age, q
considerable amount OF monty has ialler
into my hands, aud ! desire TO break Of
from this ruinous habit aud engage IN
some profitable aud useful business, and
am determined TO make at least one NOR,
desperate effort to accomplish my design.
Mrs. Il, aud her daughter listened Will
deep interest to the young maus story
Few women, perhaps, under their circum-
stances, would have taken boardor ad-
dle,ed to immodorale drinking. There
was something, however, IN the appear
ance aud manners Of young " iniers that
inspired their confidence, aud M the am-
cunt he would pay for his board would
assiot the lady 10 supporting her family
she resolved TO try him short time, al
least, aud she accordingly said
I'VE formerly kept lew boarders, but
on account OF MY own indisposiilou aud
tha, OF my little boy, we're obliged TO dis-
miss them; but as | have partially regain.
cd my health, and Willie Is sgaiu able IL
hobble about, should not object TO taking
boarder or two aud II We can be OF any
service TO you, We should be most happy
10 do so.'
"Ihank you'll" thank you T. Mrs. Ev-
erton,' exclaimed Al.eus much delighted
II hope you shall never have cause TO re-
grei Your k,pdness." 49,. - -
TWAS agreed that Allen slltuh imme-
diately take up his abode at Mrs. Ever
tons, aud promising TO bring round his
trunk in IN hour or Two, he walked away
with light heart. In abont. sn how he
returned. Mary, who, in consequences d
the somewhat critical state Of her mothers
health, had assumed the responsibilities Of
the household duties, welcomed him with
u graceful smile, aud showed him into his
room, after which she again invited him
to breakfast. Being by this time quite
hungry aud weak. having eaten nothing
since noon the day before he readily ac-
cepted the invitation, aud was soon luxu-
Rating his keen appetite upon the deli
cious meal prepared for him by Mary 1
own careful hand.
This change OF living had happy effect
on Allen, lie Kept his resolution and be-
came sober, in dustrious aud useful man
Shortly after his Introduction into Mrs.
rs family, he attached himself TO q
thriving business firm, and was soon driv-
ing good business, Ills sober, inuus
trious habits and gentlemanly department
soon wen for him the confidence aud
esteem Of all who knew him, aud he con
tinued to rise higher in the scale OF honor
wealth and respectability until his former
habits were lost sight VI, aud Allen Win.
ters became one OF the most eminent and
useful citizens Of the place.
Mary had eagerly watched his onward
and upward progress, aud was daily be-
coming more aud more interested in
him. Allen meanwhile made himself use
iul in Mrs. Everton's family, often render.
ing such assistance as they could lily afford
to dispense with. The warmest friendship
had all the while existed between A lien
and Mary, and they enjoyed many pleasant
hours together, but as yet she know moth.
ing OF his mind in regard to herself
Thus a year and half passed pleasantly
by, when Allen, on returning from bis
store one evening, seated himsei beside
her, remarking, MS he did so, with one
oil his blandest smiles
"Busy as usual, Mary lreally believe,
my pretty Que, you are the most indus
trious girl l ever saw. You are never
idle"
The crimson that tinged Mary's checks,
and the sweet smile with which she lifted
her eyes TO him, made bsr indeseribably
beautiful. There was brief silence, and
then Allen took her pretty little hand in
his own aud said
"Mary, sweet girl, do you love me?'
She again lifted her eyes gently and
lovingly to his, and replied
"Yes, Allen, l love you"
lie pressed her to his heart, and said,
tenderly-
"Mary, darling! this is too much hap
piness for me but have yet other ques-
tions to ask. Has my conduct during my
stay here been of such character as to
inspire your confidence for the future2"
''I have full confidence in you, Allen
l doubt nothing"
"Then, Mary, dearest, will you be minet
l have loved you passionatsly from the
moment l first saw you, and hope l shall
be able to make yon happy"
"Allen,' she said, looking tenderly up
into his face, "my heart has long been
yours, and if it will add anything to your
happiness, l will be yours, yours forever. .
They were soon after married, and AL