Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-11-03


preached by temperance folks, Of the
harm sure to follow wine drinking.
If the story could end here, the true
story of Ruth Holly's life, it would be
almost a happy one, but, alas, the sun
ny slope down which it seemed SO easily
to slide, daily grew darker as the hours
flew on. How they began to tell her
the fate before her, Ruth hardly knew.
A little flush of shame came first when
his step was unsteady and his voice too
loud. Then grievcd tear or two when
he was unreasonable. Then sorrow
that kept her heart aching night and
dav; for the man who had irst won the
inspiration from the glass now lost it in
its depths; lectures to be delivered were
not given to the expectant public because
..of the illness of the lecturer -
Ruth knew what the illness meant,
and tried to hide it. Literary work was
neglected also. Money was lost that
might have been easily won. Debts grew
and credit lessened the handsome suite
of rooms was exchanged for one quite
shabby. Ruth's dress became poverty
stricken, her husband was out at elbows
and at toes-he was intoxicated from
morning until night, and yet she loved
him and clung to him, and in his sober
moments he loved her as fondly as ever.
Sometimes the old strength and the old
hope would be aroused in him and he
would struggle to his lost position. but
all in vain; rum triumphed. and five
years from her wedding day Ruth found
herself with her one remaining child,
the first had died within a year of its
birth. in state bordering On beggary.
Edward had been more madly intoxi-
Gated that day than ever before he had
even given her blow: and now, as
night wore on. he muttered and raved
and called for brandy, and cursed her
and himself. until she trembled with
| fear. At last, as the clock struck ten,
he started to his feet and staggered out
| of the room. vowing to get drunk some
| where.
Poor Ruth stood where he had left
her. for few moments. The memory
of the past was strong upon her that
night. Just at this hour five years be-
fore they had fed from her fathers home
together. How he vowed that she should
never regret that night, and how had he
kept those promises He had broken
every vow-he neither cherished nor
protected her. His worldly goods he
had given to the ravenous demon, drink
his love had become something scarce
ly worth having; and yet she loved him.
and clung to him. She tried to feel
cold and hard to him, but she could not
she strove to remember the blow he had
given her. the oaths he had uttered, but
she answered herself as she did so. al
was not he who did tit was rum. u
She listened to the uncertain. reeline
footstep in the street below and burst
into tears.
"My poor darling" she whispered az
she thought some grievous calamity haG
smitten him into the thing he was, ant
he had not himself 'put an enemy int
his mouth to steal away his brain" un
mindful of her pleading, unmindful o
her woe and of her shame She though
of him reeling helplessly through tn,
street, and feared that some harm would
come to him. He might injure himself
or some one might injure him. He Nigh
fall in some out. of-the way place and Ii,
there undiscovered. and so freeze to deatl
that bitter night; and in her agony .
terror, poor Ruth could not restrain her
self from following him.
Her poor, weakly baby slept; sh'
wrapped it in blanket and laid it in it
poor cradle. Then she threw her warn
shawl over her head and hastened dow
the street. busy this late Saturday nigh
with market going people Of the poore
classes.
little way before her reeled tn
handsome, ad-shouldered figure Q
her husband, and she lady bred AM
born, fastidious, elegant, accomplished
reared in luxury, heard poor laborers
wives warn their children to beware G
the drunken fellow
She heard coarse laughs at his expense
and under the shadow of her shawl he
cheek burnt hotly; but for all that sh
never thought of going back and leavin
him to himself As soon as she coul
she gained his side and called to him b
name:
Edward ! Edward p
He turned and stood unsteadily lool
ing at her in a bewildered way.
.You?' he said. "lou ought to b
at home this time of night"
$50 ought we both. said Rutl
s '.Come, DEAR
e He threw her hand off.
q "l'm my own MASTER" he said j; III
not tied to any woman's apron string
e and staggered away again. Ruth follow
o ing. through the long streets, with ever
! face turned towards them as they passe
a some laughing, some contemptuou