The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-11-29

more in accordance with my tveiinSS;
and 10 Makes earnest wishes, Mr..
WILDER and Nettie Reluctantly ac-
coded.
II was n beautiful morning in the
carly Fall when Make received II let
ter from Edgar. SAYING that in one
week he should be there TO claim his
bride.
Under Net,ies skillfM management
Make had really an nmple outfit.
One week later, aud Make, attired
in n becomin. suit of silvery-gray
poplin, stood beside Edgar Everett,
in the spacious parlor of Mr. Wilbcr,
with no one save the venerable minis
ter, MIR. Wilder and Nettie, to wit.
ness, and gave her life into The keep.
ing of the man she loved.
Edgar had selected flourishing
village in Maine for home, and soon
they were comfortably settled.
The time passed swiftly and hap
PLY, and never was there home
more pleasant than that of Edgar aud
Make. the first few months Of their
married life.
One day Edgar came into the room
where his wife was sitting, cxcla;m-
ing:
well, Make, believe l am most
discouraged. Let's see! we have
been here some six months, and l
have not had practice enough TO sup
port us halt decently."
"Oh. well, never mind, dear! We
know that it always takes physician
some time 10 get into practice, and
after you once get fairly started, then
the people will begin TO appreciate
YOU" aud the young wife smiled
| iondIy and proudly upon her husband;
aud as she stopped To kiss him, she
nnii-esl that his eyes looked strangely
and that his checks were flushed. n
terrible feeling of sutiocation swept
over her heart, bat she said nothing,
and Edgar who had thrown himself
upon the sofa, soon sank into deep
slumber.
Time passed on, and they still
struggled on as best they light.
The terrible conviction was forcing
itself upon Make, that Edgar was
trying 10 drown his disappointment,
lack of success. in the wine-cup.
Every way in her over did she
strive la encourage her husband. often
thinking over her reply TO Netlie's $
quesiiou,-"Do you love him well
enough 10 be his wife :" and she
would say 10 hcrsclf.-"God helping
me, viii be faithful to him through
life"
Time passed on, and people who
had begun 10 like the appearance oi
Edgar, aud were intending TO employ
him, when they saw that he was ad.
dlc,cd 10 drinking. shake their heads
aud say
Il was terribly deceived in tha,
young chap; | thought he appeared
like smart, promising fellow, aud
was only waiting Tor some one else to
try him; but This drinking business
will never do. All about II is, he vii
have 10 reform or slarve, for all the
custom he will get here"
| Make had advertised for class
and 10y giving lessons in music and
wax work, they managed TO keep uI
respectable appearance.
But the time drew on apacc 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 10 God TO spare her life. thai
She might still be a help TO Edgar
and, if possible, save him from uLtcl
ruin.
A few weeks later, and from thai
darkened room rose The feeble wailin.
OF an infant, and Edgar Everett now
for the first time for many weeks ;
thoroughly sober man stood by the
couch of his pale wife and infant son
He approached her side, and bendin.
his head low upon his hands, great
heavy sobs- like the rushing of mighty
wind, bowed the once strong man
The inmost fountains of his heart wer,
reached, and he wept with tears o
penitence.
Nettie WILDER, who had in Response
10 Makes message, Come To me
Nettic, for need u friend" immedI
ately came to her; and entering tht
room just then, she approached The
weeping man, and laying her hant
upon his arm, said:
, The doctor cautioned me particu
, Iarly against having her excited. See
she has tainted"
A long weary illness succeeded
and only by the unwsaried care o
, Edgar and Nettie did they keep th'
soul of Make from winging its wa,
, TO the spirit land.
. EJgars conscience was deeply
| moved, and the terrible fact was L
! him very plain, that if Make, his dar
ling wife, should die, he would eve
be her murderer, that the terrible an XII
: ETY. and care which she had suffered
on his account, would be her death; -
. and there, alone with himself and Got
on his beaded knees, in the solemn
qniet, he vowed that if God woul,
5 spare him from the terrible crime o
: numbering his darling, the only bein:
he loved, he would never again tast,
, the soul-destreying cup.
! God was merciful, and the life o
7 that patient, noble wife was spared.
The little one waJ too trail TO
i. earth, but its life, though short, hat
| its mission.
e Edgar signed the pledge publicly
| and the citizens, seeing him determin
D ed toreform, lent him helping hand
1t was a severe struggle, for th
s habit had wound itself closely int
!: his life. But perseverance, at length
s had its reward.