The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-09-02

That was my old fathers advice ON
our wedding day.
Had | done my duty2 Had l fol.
lowed the example of ny mother, who
never let fall an pnkind word? My
heart slAoto me drcadlully as ! called
the morning to mind.
But Tom would be homo to dinner.
The thopght brought me to my feet
| did up my work briskly, aud went
about cooking just such dinner AS he
liked. The plum pudding was done to
perfection; the baby in clean slip, and
myself all smiles to receive him when
the clock struck one. But he didn't
come at the usual time.
| put by the untasted dinner and
prepared supper, and lit bright fire in
the little parlor, He should have a
pleasant welcome. But he did not come
Eight, nine, ten o'clock; and | put by
the untasted supper to watch and wait.
How the little thorn 10 my heart
pierced aud ranked! Tom had broken
his promise, and my unkindness was
the causel Nothing else rang in my
ears through the long hours.
About two o'clock | heard 4 noise
below, and went to the window. There
was man on the porch, could just
see him in the dim light.
Tom, is that your" Iaskcd softly,
putting out my head.
Yes, open the door, Lucy-quick.
The police are after mo-"
My heart sunk. The police after
him. What could he have doneY
rau down swiftly and unlocked the door
But as did so, two men wearing Official
badges, stepped up on the porch, aud
one of them laid his hand on Toms
shoulder, aud said:
' arrest you, sir"
"For what?" cried.
"For murder!"
The floor seemed sliding from beneath
my feet, but | caught at the door tc
steady myself, and looked at Tom. Al
that Instant the official uncovered his
lantern, and oh, my God, there was
blood upon my husbands hands.
All the rest is blank. When
came to life again, | was in my own
room in bed, aud kind, compassionate
faces were around me. l asked fol
Tom. He was in prison, awaiting his
trial.
There had been quarrel at the tav.
! nrn IN rhifhor p,y oruol ,yor,lS ha1 dr;yar
Tom; and Tom had struck his antage.
mist. The man was not dcad-thougl
they thought he was first--but he was
badly hurt about the head But if he
recovered-well, it would not 90 SC
hard with Tom.
arose and went down to the prison
but they would not admit me. Nc
one was to see my husband until after
the trial.
Another day crept by--a highland
then morning. | went down to the
door and opened it with that vague feel
ing of expectation which always accom-
panies severe affliction, and looked out
The frost looked thick and sparkling
over everything, even on the scrap Of
folded paper that lay at my feet.
stopped aud picked it up idly, as we
catch at a straw or twig, sometimes
without any motive or power of volition
The superscription caught my EYE,
was my own name and my husband.
writing. tore it open and read:
DElR Lucy IL have broken out of Jail anG
am going-well, no matter where. ! didn'
strike Hastings with an intention to kill him
was intoxicated, and II was more his fault
than mine but he may die--and then-at any
rate, 1t 1t better for You, Lucy, for me to go
! was never worthy OF you. Now you can "
back to your father, and forget me, and B,
happy. You will find the bonds for what none,
have In bank in my desk; II is enough tt
make you and the child comfortable. Forgiy,
and forget me, Lucy. God bless you-and tn,
baby Ton.
That was the endl That was the
reward that my cross word had pur
chased for me- Truly, truly, the wages
Of sin is death. We shall need no cor
poreal punishment, one spark Of rea
fire, to perfect our torment, we are lost
| Conscience is all-sufficient--rcmorse
that worm that never dies. 1t is use
less for me TO attempt to talk about wha
| suffered in the weary, weary days tina
followed that morning! Words coult
not express it, and no soul, save on,
that has passed through the same fur
mace Of affliction could begin to under
stand it. But l lived, for sorrow ant
death rarely walk in each others steps
and nursed my babe, aud did the worl
my hands had to do. 1 did not g,
back to my father. / remained il
Toms home, and kept his things al
about, and everything to remind me o
him even to his cap hanging on the
wall. Forget himl Does love eve
forget?
Hastings did not die. He recovered
and made public statement He wa,
moro in fault, he said, then Tom was
Then he put notice in all the papers
telling Tom to come back but he cam,
not.
The winter passed away with long
long nights of bitter remorse aud tender
recollections of the dear husband, who's,
strong arms had once been my stay aut
support. The spring came--the sum
mer--another winter. Three years wen
by-crcpt by slowly.
My child, Toms little baby, grew tc
be fairy little thing, with fair blu,
eyes and golden hair, and topgpe tha
| never wearied of its childish prattling
| All the day long she sat on the door,
step, where the evening sppbeams SIAN
| ted in. lisping 10 her dali and listen;ng