The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-08-23
DITORCED.

''Of course he will.'
''By all means. Only see how he acted
when his wife lived with him! Now that
she's left him, and all restraint removed
he'll go the rest of the downward way in
no time. Poor Nettie wonder she stood
it so long ~
'-Pll give him just one year to be buried"
''Pshawl Halfthat time will finish him."
"Well, l pity him, too; but pity her
more. He brought misery on both.
Such was the gossip of half dozen vii
layers, who stood in front Of one of the
principal stores, one summer evening, while
the subject of their remarks went stagger-
ing along on the opposite side.
tits evident he was trying to walk straight
and not to appear intoxicated, but such en-
deavors always seem to make a drunken
man walk more crooked. Well, it proved
one thing that he was not yet lost to all
sense of shame-that he still retained lit
tie pride, and lingering aversion to being
ridiculed and despised.
But Harry Rogers had carried on at
fearful rate for a year or two past. He
had Just one vice-drink-bu that was
enough. He had married a worthy far
mer's daughter, Nettie Ray, only few
years previously, and such had been his
conduct during more than year past that
she, seeing no hope of his reform, had been
obliged to cut him loose to pursue his pro-
figate course alone and legal separation
had just been effected. 1t was sad, indeed,
but no other course seemed to be left her.
Harry's home was on a little farm, mile
from town. He owned it, but then it was
heavily mortgaged, and in another year
foreclosure was certain. 1t was not likely
his creditors would spare him when he
made no effort to meet his obligations, and
spent his time in riotOus and disgraceful
conduct.
A week passed after that Summer even
ing on which all had agreed in predicting
his early ruin--twO weeks-three weeks
a month or two. What strange mystery is
here? To the utter bewilde rment of the
prophesying sages, Harry discontinued Wis
iting the tavern, and was rarely ever seen
! in the village. When he did come in the
! store, he speedily transacted his business and
! then went home-sober.
But wonders never cease when they get
a start. He was next reported as actually
! at work on his farm. Had but one man
| seen this, and told it in the village, he
would have been marked as man lacking
veracity but number of ladies saw it and
told it. and their combined testimony was
worthy of all credence.
The little farm began to look healthier
as the Summer wore on. The fences
Strengthened up; the weeds disappeared; !;
the corn grew marvelously; the briars and
elders were rooted up from the fields and
fence-rows; the animals looked fatter, sleek
er, and happier, and the little cottage look
ed neater.
Time wore on, and the great change was
the more strangely remarkable each day
Harry's creditors called and told him they
would not be hard on him, and he might
have his own time about paying his debts
and clearing his farm of the mortgage.
The Fall came, and the farm yielded an
abundance of golden corn and fruits-such
a crop indeed as it had never produced be-
fore; and Harry found himself beginning
to drift along with tide of prosperity.
And Nettie Ray had begun to live her
young girlhood over again, as it were, un-
der her fathers roof; but, somehow, it was
not like the happy, joyous girlhood of mein-
ory. 1t was sober and quiet now, and
Nettie fell into trains of musing; every
! now and then there passed through her
mind a certain thought-she was neither
maid nor wife.
She avoided the vicinity of herlate home,
nor had she once seen Harry since the sep
| aration, but she had heard of him occasion
! ally; knew that he was changed man.
! Still this knowledge brought her but a mel
ancholy satisfaction. The reform had come
| too late-too late! There was wide gulf
between them now
But, one evening in the golden October,
Nettie found herself rather obliged to pass
Harry's farm, 1t lay between her fathers
house and the village, but she had hereto
fore taken roundabout road in going to