The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-04-05
gupnlar Talrs.
THE DIVORCED.

He'll go to the dogs now"
\ Of course he will. d"
By all means. Only see how he acted
en- his wife lived with him Now that
Is left him, and all restraint removed.
Il 90 the rest Of the downward way in
time. Poor Nettie. | wonder that she
od it so long"
I'll give him just one year to be
lied.
Pshaw half that time will finish him"
Well, | pity him too but pity her
re. He has brought misery on both"
Euch was the gossip Of half dozen vii.
eH, who stood in front of one Of the
hcipal stores one summer evening while
subject of their remarks went stagger.
along on the other side.
IL was evident he was trying TO walk
blight, and not appear intoxicated, but
h endeayors seem to make a drunken
b walk more crooked Well, il proved
thing, that he was not yet lost to all
be of shame-that he still retained
L pride, and lingering aversion to
hg ridiculed and despised.
But Harry Rodgers had carried on at
rful rate for a year or two past. He
Just one vice-drink-but that was
bugh. He had married a worthy far.
r's daughter, Nettie Ray, only few
lrs previously, and such had been his
hduct during more than year past that
!, seeing no hope of his reform, had been
liged to cut him loose to pursue his
reer alone; and separation had been
ected 1t was sad, indeed, but no other
une seemed to be left her
Hanys home was ON little farm,
lie from town. He owned It, bat then
was heavily nortgaged, and in another
ear foreclosure was certain. 1t was not
kely his creditors would spare him when
e made no effort to meet his obligations
nd spent his time in riotous aud disgrace.
b conduct.
A week passed after that summer eve.
hing on which all had agreed in predicting
bis early ruin--two weeks-three weeks
month What strange mystery is here?
ro the utter bewilderment Of the prophecy.
fng sages, Harry discontinued visiting the
esyern, and was rarely ever seen in the
kilage. When he did come into the store
be speedily transacted his business and
hen went home-sober.
But wonders never cease when they get
start He was next reported as actually
work on his farm. Had but one man
zen this, and told it in the village, he
ould have been marked as a man lacking
fracity but a number Of ladies saw it and
ID it, and their combined testimony was
othy Of all credence.
The little farm began to look healthier
the summer wore on. The fences
heightened up, the weeds disappeared,
e corn grew marvelously, the briers and
den were rooted up from the fields and
nee rows, the animals looked sleeker and
Ppper, and the cottage looked neater.
Time wore on and the great change was
e more strangely remarkable every day.
anys creditors called and told him they
puld not be hard on him, and he might
I've his own time about paying his debts
ID clearing the mortgage en- his farm.
The fall came, and the farm yielded an
Pandance Of golden corn and fruits, such
crop, indeed, as il never produced be-
rei and Harry found himself beginning
drltt along with tide Of prosperity.
And Nettie Ray had begun To live her
Dung girlhood over again, as it were, un-
er her fathers roof, but, somehow, it was
o like the joyous girlhood Of memory.
was sober and quiet now, and Nettic
Ell into trains Of musing; every now and
hen there passed through her mind GER
ain thought-she was neither maid nor
Fife.
she avoided the vicinity Of her late
lome, nor had she once seen Harry since
ae separation, but she had heard Of him
eeaslonally knew that he was q changed
Aan. Still this change brought her but a
nelancholy satisfaction. The reform had
one too late-too late There was a
E'de gulf between them now.
bat, one evening in the golden October,
ne''ie found herself rather Obliged to pass
harrys farm. 1t lay between her father
souse and the village, but she had hereto
iofe taken roundabout road in going to
ana irom the village. On the evening in
question, however, she had been detained
= me village unconsciouyly until it was
nearly dark, and she determined to hazard
me room was ak neat as when she had
aei'eif watched over il. A cheerful hre
vas burning in the CRATE, although it va:
n@ very cold; and lighted lamp stood
y me table. II was there Harry was SIT
ang How her heart bounded as she
.sgn, sight Of him! He held in his
ngsi hand book from his scanty library
ons recognized IL at once but he was
~ reading now. He had allowed Il to
s'sP With Its open pages looking to the
ss'lhg-and his face was supported hall
s,oneealed in the left hand, the elbow rest
Is On the table. Was he asleep, or was
4 4 auned in sad reyerie9 Nettie thought
~ 'Ae latter was the case, and her heart
j wish | had borne with him. she
H..
nm moment later her heart wai
seasd when she saw tear roll down BIZ
.s't and upon the book. The lonely
-,s \, vas not asleep--he was crying
s could not help it. All that wa,
4 auaan'y in her heart was aroused, and
"a at the door in moment. Nc
~'tmouy---she hnrat into the sitting room