Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-08-25
- B.1sEET or CH.s.uP.fG.yh.
ny SOPHIE MAY.

Hamilton Preston was, and still is, for
aught know to the contrary, the dashing
editor of western newspaper. If he
should ever see this little story, he will not
deny that it is perfectly true, with the ox-
cepton of names.
At the time l knew him, he was hand.
some young man, with genial manner
and an occasional redness of the eyes. lie
had long been exceedingly popular with
that class of young gentlemen who tarry
long at the wine. His chief fault was in.
trinity of purpose. He laughingly said II
was certain he was easily influenced, foi
the "gentle power of one little woman cars
ried him five hundred miles over horri6
road in the spring of the year."
Yet | believe he acknowledged it was
the most profitable journey he ever made.
The five hundred miles which lay between
him and Miss Lizzie Gray had been verI
good friends to him, for they had kept hef
from knowledge of his ccnvivial habifS,
A years correspondence had given her no
hint of wine-parties aud midnight revels /;
for love-letters, like dead mon, "tell no
tales"
Lizzie had been married nearly year
before she even suspected her husband $
weakness. He had resisted temptation
manfully for her sake, and might have
fought the battle still longer if "New-year's
calls" had not overtakcd him like thief
in the night.
"Ah now,' said Mrs. Smiley, the nc
knowledged leader of fashionable society,
"you don't refuse to drink glass of wine
with me, Mr.. Preston? Refuse a lady l
shall begin to believe what all the world
says-that that pretty little Northern wife
of yours is tyrant. You used to be a
man of gallantry. Seriously, Mr.. Preston,
l shall take it as personal ailront if you
decline"
That night poor Hamilton staggered
home in very confused state of mind.
"Poor Lizzie" said he, wiping his maud
lin tears on the tablecloth, "Sorry for you
Lizzie, but you'll be 'bliged to 'scuzo me.
Everybony made me drink suthin--so cold
said my wife wouldn't low me drink
suthn-Everybony said S'pose Use goin
to-to--stand that, Lizzie?'
Poor Mrs. Preston She could not have
been more dismayed if the stars had drop
ped out of the heavens like paper spangles !!
But the gentle little woman did not fold
her hands, close her eyes and die, as she
thought at first she would be very glad to
| do. on the contrary she rallied her forces
and made no sign.
Next morning, Mr.. Preston was so sore
/ ly ashamed that he humbly confessed his
msdcmeanors, from his first glass of whis-
ky up TO the choice Madeira he had drank
the day before in Mrs. Smiley's parlor.
"Now I suppose" said he with a molan
choly smile, "you have lost all respect for
me, Lizzie ?"
81 have come to this conclusion, Hamil
ton" replied his wife, fixing her clear blue
eyes afIectionately upon him, "my hus-
band has not the moral strength TO manage
himself. and ii is my daty to-take care of
hint
"Agrced my dear" said the lord of crea-
ton with sheepish glance at the carpet.
There was no regularly organized tenn
perance society in town, Temperance being
as much out of favor there as chills and fe-
yer, and not half as prevalent, so Mrs.
Preston watched her vacillating husband
with sleepless vigilance.
One day he gave dinner-party in his
own house to some old friends. The beau
tiful young wife presided with a gentle
grace which won all hearts. After the oys-
ters had been discussed, a servant entered
the room, saying if Mrs. Preston pleased
there was a boy at the door with a basket
of bottles.
"What does he think we want of bottles?
go back and tell him he may carry them
home"
"But he says he was sent here ma'am,"
persisted Bridget, land he says the bottles
is just champagne"
"Then Of course it is a mistake, Bridget.
lie has come to the wrong house" "No
mistake, madam" interposed Mr.. Fling,
one Of the guests ait is my boy Ben. l
left orders for him to bring the basket
about this time. We will drink social
glass together my friends in memory of
auld lang syne."
"Not in my house, Mr.. Flingw said Mrs.
Preston firmly. Bridget you may do as
bade you tell the boy to take back the
bas ket, and l am very sorry for the mis-
take"
"Mrs. Preston Lizzie, what do you
mean ?" said the head of the house with
extreme disploasurc.
81 mean, my dear Hamilton, that you
shall not be tempted back to your wine if
can prevent it. Gentlemen" she added
turning to her husbands guests, with Il
sweet dignity, "he cannot resist tempta-
tion you know he cannot ask you as his
good friends, don't be stumbing-blocks for
Hamilton Preston ~
Mr. Fling, who had been looking as
pointed daggers as politeness would allow,
was little Modified by the ladys persua-
sive tones.
"You are bit Of a Puritan, my Jear
Mrs. Preston. Don't take trfling matter
so seriously"
81 will smile, Mr.. Fling, if you will say
you are not offended"
"OiendedY No madam, l admire your
heroism."
"And you forgive my apparent rudeness
Mr.. Fling?'
"lndeed do, Mrs. Preston. Here is nv
hand upon i'll I promise never to drink
another convivial glass with your husband
unless he first proposes it,"
81 promise the same" said Mr.. Gregory.
followed by each and all the guests. There
was a general hand-shaking, in which MFR.
Preston joined with his usual read y repair
tee.
"Good friends" said the hostess with
glstoning eyes, "you have made this din
ner a royal feast for me. l thank you with
all my heart"
"Llzzie," said Hamilton Preston, draw
ing serio-comic face, "do you suppose |
would have gone so far for you If | had
known what sort of wife was going to
| get?"