Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-11-30
VI 0 m an a NJ. g. W Wes5rk. 81


"-O-
She was nothing but girl, despite
her three years of married Life, and
the two babies at her feet, a pretty;
graceful girl, with face that had
been like a. a.pearl. But anxious sor-
row, and incessant toll were blanch-
ing its delicate colors and planting
premature burrows. on the fair brow.
She had been stitching ather ma
chine during the entire afternoon,
talking and smiling in the. meantime,
to the Two babies on the carpet at her
feet, anu now, as the dreary Februa=
ry dusk closed in, $ she arose, aching
to her very inger-tips with WEAKNESS.
With heavy sigh, she folded the
rustling flowers and put them aside,
and crossing to the window, looked
out into the cheerless darkness.vSTh
sky was black and lowering, and g
chill icy rain fell in ceaseless tor
rents.
"oh, my!'' she cried, claspinlg her
slender hands aboveheraching heart,
!" if he would only come-I didn't
think he would stay away tonight
But no shadow darkened the dusky
footpath, without no footstep sounded
on the threshold. She left the win
dow, and sitting down upon the rug
gathered the two babies to her bosom,
and began to sob and cry as if her
heart would break. ~ -
4a I" Mamma cry-poor mamma-Alice
love mamma, lisped the elder Of the
two, putting up her chubby hands
to caress her mothers wan cheeks.
L. But the infantile caresses only made
poor mamma weep more bitterly, and
shiver with a feeling Of terror, at the
sound of the driving storm. The last
lump of coal was smoldering in the
crate, and down in the kitchen, where
the tidy little housemaid was prepar-
ing tea, the stock of provisions was
very, scant. Only some bread and
tea, and few salt herrings, and a
little fresh milk for the babies.
And there on the little writing
desk in the corner lay heap of doc
uments, waiting to be copied, but the
husband and father was out, down
at the village tavern, spending his
time over the dice-box and cham
Fpaigne bottle-.a handsome, capable
young man, and good and true-heart-
led by nature, but held in thrall by
that terrible destroyer. who blights
$50 many loving hearts, and darkens
;the, light Of SO many happy hearth
stones.
I" Better not marry Tom Walters,
Lizzie; he's wild lad,s and loves
his glass. He'll break your heart by
'and-by."
n This was her sage old fathers ad-
tI vice u when he heard of her engage
ment, but Lizzie would not :hearken.
She loved her handsome suitor, and
she had faith in his promises and in
her own influence.
:" I think I'll risk it,.father," she
replied. eff I give him up he'll go
to o the bad, and ]. I..feelsure that my
love will save him.
50" $ Very we'll, jaretofted the old man
"-have it your ewn way-as you make
your bed so you must lie"
So Lizzie and Tom were, married,
and the honeymoon bid fair to have
no wane. But old habits and passions
are so apt to reassert themselves. AZ
ter time, when the novelty Of his
new life had worn off, Tom Walters
lonnd his feet straying toward the
tavern, and despite all his promises
and resolves, he went back to his old
haunts and habits.
The young wife's heart ached and
her tears fell, but she utteredno word
of anger or reproach she only pray
ed, and hoped, and waited. And
when her husband began to grow
forgetful Of his duties and to neglect
his work, and the needs Of the house
hold grew imperative, she brought
out Her sewing-machine and took up
the weary song of the shirt-stitoh
stitch, stitch, from sun to sun--till
her cheeks whitened and her lustrous
eyes grew dim.:s ~ ~. -,
The February night closed in black
and stormy, with sobbing winds and
driving sheets of rain. The little
maid rang her tea bell and Lizzie
went down and fed her babes, anc
set the supper to keep warm, never
tasting a morsel herself, despite hel
WEAKNESS, the pain at her heart wa
so sharp. Then she heard their lisp
ing prayers and put them to bed, ane
sat down before the waning fire tt
keep her weary vigil.
The little clock on the mantel strucl
the half hours, and with every on
the storm seemed to increase, Th
room began to grow chill, and ther
was no fuel to replenish the fire. Th
young mother arose and put an ex
/. ira blanket on her babes, and the
!. she went to her husbands desk, an
sitting down before it, unrollcd th
bundle of documents. She had stitch
ed all day long, but she took N
/. thought of her own weakness. None
must be had to feed and warm he
children. Pushing back her silke
hair, she spread out the yellow ;ps
pers and set about her task. .
Hour after hour went 1by )and'he
slender fingers never faltered, say
when she paused to listen for Il
= sonnd of her husband steps; and