The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-06-24

of crime hast thon not led thy victims
depriying reason Of her power and send
ing madpess to usurp her seat!
Hour after hour passed on, but Mary
came not, Suspense is at all times an
unpleasant feeling; but when it seems to
be inflicted wantonly, and from source
when it is least expected, the sense OF
injury and unkindness increases it's
aouteness. To watch the hand of the
clock, which never seemed to move so
slowly; to listen to each approaching
follow the dying sound with increased
bitterness of disappointment-th are
sufferings which the thoughtless truant,
who protracts the flying hours, often in
heartless and unmeaning meriment, little
dreams of.
Again and again did he recur to the
character of the woman with whom his
wife went out; numerous trifiing in
discretions forced themselves back upon
his memory, and suggested constrpc-
tion they had not borne before. In vain
did he strive to beat away the meddling
tend; fancy on fancy, each more hideous
than the lust, crowded his distempered
imagination, and drove him at length to
seek relief in the tap-room of the little
inn he occasionally resorted to.
A feeling of envy is commonly gene
rated toward the man who marries a
very beautiful woman. He is looked
upon as presumptuous person, who has
treasure; and he who is welded to youth
and beauty often pays this price for the
monopoly.
The husband found the usual company
assembled; and, as is too frequently the
case, there wns not wanting s'good-
natured friend" to fan the flame of dis
appointment evidently apparent in his
countenance. His fondness for his wife
was generally known, and envy readily
supplied the means of tormenting O re-
fnement in feeling unappreciated by
vulgar minds. The conversation (pur-
posely) alluded to the holiday sports
upon the II, and hints and inuendoes
were skillfully thrown out, to rouse the
jealousy Of the unhappy subject of the
heartless ribaldry, and to cause him alb
ruptly to leave the house.
The night was close and sultry, and
dark withal, though summer. The
lamps threw gloomy light along the
dusky streets, as tho unhappy man
passed to and fro, endeavoring to dissi-
pate, by rapid motion, the unwhole-
some thoughts that thropged upon
him.
''They all sneer at me-" muttered he;
false to me-to me who have loved her
80 dearly?"
No man is suddenly abandoned to his
own evil passions; the shocks of the
moral earthquake are distinct and sepa-
rate, though they may rapidly succeed
each other.
While he stood soliloquizing under o
lamp. his figure was recognized by two
bacchanals, who were staggering homo
from debauch.
'"rhat's the husband of the pretty
creature you were talking to this after
noon," said one; ''let's banter him.
Halo! John, how is it with you, man2"
He started at this unexpected address;
but perceiving in the speaker gontle.
man who had formerly served him, he
respectfully saluted them, and observing
their condition, would have passed on,
but they obstructed his path.
II say, John, how's your wife?"
Ere he could reply, the other chimed
III:
''Look ye, John, I'll bet you guinea
I'll tell you the color of your wife's
garter. What say you, eh?"
In those days the lower orders wero
oCCuotoAACo w 1ooh up " Iuc1T bupoIlOIS
in rank with reverence unknown to
their more literally educated descend
ants. Smothering his resentment, the
husband replied, in ill-attempted merri-
ment:
''That would be bubble bet, sir, as l
don't remember ever having noticed it
myself" 4"
"Say you so, my lad? Then look you
here" And with an air Of triumph, he
drew forth and displayed the lost gnrter!
''For shamo!" said his companion,
snatching at the fancied prize, and thrust
ing it, as he thought. into his pocket;
"never kiss and tell"
Then, with q loud laugh, they reeled
of, hiccupping, Good night, John"
The garter had fallen unnoticed, save
by the unhappy husband, who remained
for some minutes rivited to the spot; his
faculties were paralyzed. Suddenly he
started, hastily picked up the unlucky
relic, gazed ut it for one moment-it was
red-and fed toward his homo.
It was the first whisper of the fend