Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-10-25

Mr. Wilher insisted on giving Mako al
elaborate wedding, saying that he had plen
ty of money, and no children but Nettle
and that there would be plenty left.
But Make replied:
MANY thanks. kind friends, for you
great generosity, but think it would b.
more suitable as Edgar and are both poo
and just commencing life, to have plail
simple wedding It would be more in &C
cordancc with my feelings; > and to Make
earnest wishes, Mr. WILDER and Nettie re-
luc'antly accedea.
| It was beautiful morning in the early
Fall when Make received a-letter from I'd
gar. saying that in one week he should be
there to claim bis bride.
Under Nettie's skillful management Make
had really an ample outfit.
One week later. aud Make, attired in g
becoming suit of silvery gray poplin, stood
1 beside Edgar Everett, ia the spacious par
or of Mr.. WILDER, with no one save the ven
cradle minister, Mr.. WILDER and Nettie, to
witness. and gave her life into the Feeplng
of the man she loved.
Ed gar had selected fourshing village
in Maine for home, and soon they were
comfortably settled.
Tue time passed swiftly and happily, and
pever was home more pleasant than of
Edgar and Make, the first few months of
their married life
One day Edgar came ioto the room where
his wife was sitting, exclalming:~
"Well, Make. believe I am most dis
outraged Let's see We have been here
some SIX months, and have not had prac-
tice enough to support us half decently.
ooh, we'll, never mind, dear ! We know
that it always takes young physician some
time to get iuto practice, and after you once
get fairly started, then the people will begin
to appreciate you;' and the young wife
smiled fondly and proudly upon her hus-
band; and as she stopped to kiss him, she
noticed that his eyes looked strangely and
that his cheeks were flushed. A terrible
feeling Of suiFocating swept over her heart,
but she said nothing, and Edgar. who had
thrown himself upon the sofa, soon sank in'
to deep slumter.
Time passed on, and they. still struggled
on as best they might.
The terrible conviction was forcing itself
upon Make, that Edgar was trying to drown
his disappointment, lack Of success, in the
wine-cup.
Every way 10 her power did she strive to
encourage her husband, often thinking over
her reply to Nettie's question, do you
love him well enough to be his wife p and
she would say to herself,-"God helping
me. I will be faithful to him through life :"
Time passed on, and people who had be-
gun to like the appearance Of Elgar, and
were intending to employ him, when they
saw that he was addicted to drinking, would
shake their heads and say
Il was terribly deceived in that young
chap; I thought he appeared like smart,
promising fellow, and was only waiting for
some one else to try him but this drinking
business will never do. All about it is, he
will have to reform Or starve, for all the
custom he will get here"
Make had advertised for a class, and BY
giving lessons in music and wax work, they
managed to keep up respectable APPEAR
ance.
But the time drew on apa,e when she was
unable to go from house to house, to give
her music lessons and in the secret of her
own room, she prayed to God to spare her
life, that she might still be bel p to Edgar,
and, if possible, save him from utter ruin.
A few weeks later, and from that darken-
ed room rose the feeble wailing Of an infant,
aud Edgar Everett now. for the first time
for many weeks thoroughly sober men stood
by the couch of his pale wife and infant son.
He approached her side, aud bending his
head lew upon his hands great, heavy sobs,
like the rushing Of mighty wind, bowed
the once strong man. The inmost fountains
of his heart were reached, and he wept with
tears of penitence.
Nettie WILDER, who had in response to
| Makes message, "Come tonne, Mettie, for
I peed friend" Immediately came to her !;
and entering the room just then, she ap
preached the weeping man, and laying her
hand upon his arm, said:
1.-The doctor cautioned ne particularly
against having her excited. See she has
tainted"
A long weary illness succeeded, and only
by the unwearied care of Edgar and Ne tile
did they keep the soul of Make from win
ming its way to the spirit land.
Edgar's conscience was deeply moved,
and tue terrible fact was to him plain, that
if Make, bis darling wife, should die, he
would ever be her murderer; that the terri
Bile anxiety and care which she had suffered
on his account, would be her death and
there, alone with himself and God on his
Bonded knees, in the solemn quiet, he vowed
that if God would spare him from the terri
BILE crime of numbering his darling, the only
being he loved, be would never again taste
the soul destroying cup.
God was merciful, and the life Of chat pa
tient, noble wife was spared.
The little one was too frail for earth, but
its life, though short, had its mission.
Edgar sigued the pledge publicly aud
the citizens, seeing him determined to re-
form, lent him helping hand,
1t was severe struggle, for the habit had
wound itself closely into his life But per-
severance, at length, had its reward.
When his wife was able to leave the room
fer the FIRST time, to join them in the parler,
E}gar, placing his arm gently around her
waist, drew her toward the window that
overlooked the little mound Of their babe,
saying.
"Dearest, have come very near losing
both of my treasures, and all by my own
folly; and God helping me, the remainder
of your life shall never be darkened by wick
edness of mine"
And well did he Keep bis word. In time
by persistent and unwearied efforts, prosper
ity dawncd upon them, and in happiness did
they together walk the path of life.
/ Edpar would often say