Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-06-05

restrained by his parasitical friends, so that
he was seldom allowed to make himself
publicly obnoxious, or at any rate TO great
er extent than to call doWn on him the
courteous remonstrancos of the police.
Although the city of X was my head
quarters in Italy, l was frequently obliged
TO leave it on matters of business for three
weeks to a month at time. On my re-
turn after one of these absences Smith paid
me visit. lie appeared in much better
health than usual, and in good spirits.
Moreover, there was a remarkable change
in his dress, which, although it could hard
ly have been called slovenly, had general
ly in it an affected air of carelessncss, as ii
he were totally indifferent to what others
thought of his appearance. lie was now,
on the contrary, remarkably well dressed,
in excellent taste, and his clothes it was ca
sy to perceive had been made by an expert
tailor. After conversing together on indif
ferent subjects for some little time he said
to me:
81 have at last determined TO break my
self Of my unfortunate habit, and have no
doubt shall succeed"
~ am glad to hear you lave come to that
conclusion" replied. "You may depend
upon it, it will contribute greatly 10 your
happiness but it is no use having come to
tho conclusion if you do not rcsolutely
abide by ii. You must remember how Of
ten you have already come to the same de-
cision on the subject and never had the con-
stancy 10 keep it,"
"My dear fellow" he said, "lhe present
case is quite different. l have now a slim
ulus which never had before. To make
Il long story short, | have fallen desperate
! ly in love, and am going to be married. |
am sure you will admit that, whatever my
lailings may have been during my bachel-
orhaod, things will be very different with
me as married man."
81 congratulate you on your deicrmiml-
ton, and sincerely hope you will keep it,"
said. "And now tell me who is the young
lady?"
Smith told me she was of a highly re-
spectacle family, the daughter of a widow,
and that she was very pretty and amiablc
girl, very intelligent, and would no doubt
make him an excellent wife. They had
applied for a dispensaton from the Pope
for Catholic to marry Protestant, and
hoped it would soon arrive, and immcdi-
ately afterwards they were TO be united.
In fact, he hoped in the course Of fort
night all would be over, and that he would
be married man.
The next day Smith introduced me TO his
future bride, who was about as fine spec
linen of Italian beauty Of the Leonardo da
| Nnci school as l ever saw. | must say
that as | gazcd on the girl | did not look
on her future prospects without some mis-
givings. The marriage had been concoctcd
no doubt, by her friends from Il c worldly
advantages a union with so wealthy a man
would bring with it, rather than out af any
consideration for the poor girls happiness.
Should Smith, after his marriage, again rC-
turn TO his drunken habits, what a life
would she lead-if, in fact, she could live
under the treatment she might possibly
then receive. The affair was, however,
concluded, aud all Interference on my part
would have Lcen useless, so / remained 81
lent on the subject.
The disponsation at last arrived a brill
liant marriage took place in one orthe prin-
cipal churches Of the city; and, the cere-
mony over, Smith started on a wedding
l left X for Rome, where l remained
without receiving any intelligence of the
bride and bridegroom for more than three
months. then returned to Y, and
made inquiries of mutual friend respect
ing Smith, how he had conducted himself
during my absence.
"Oh! lis all over with him." he replied
He behaved very well for the first five
weeks, when his old habit broke out again,
and he committed more than one terrible
assault on his wife. Her family were at
last obliged to interfere. and they were sep
arated. She has returned to her mother
and they are now living in Turin ant
Smith has been informed by the police tina
if in any manner he attempts to interfere
with her or annoy her he will he arrest
ed"
now called on Smith in his new abode
and found him at home. His appearance
was very different from what it had beer
at the time left him. He was then in sooC
health and spirits; but now, on the contra
ry, he Appeared low-spiritcd and mSera
BILE. Pretending l had heard nothing,
inquired after his wife. For some moment
he made no reply, and then, the tears start
!, ing to his eyes, he said to me-
"My dear fellow, it's of no use my con
cealng matters from you. My wife Ia
left me-"
assumed look of great surprise, bu
made no remark.
ITS all my own fault" he continued
~ cannot blame her for it, dear girl.
, must, however, get you 10 play the part o
peace maker between us. ! know she Ia
a great respect for you, and if an; ono ca
do it you can"
"Candidly, Smith," l said, ~ dom. lik
0 interfering, and that for both your sake'
In one of your drunken fits you might Ell
ther kill her or inllict on her some seriou
) injury. You must be perfectly well awar
> you are not master of your actions on thos
y. occasions, and strong as your determine
ton at the present time to remain sobC
= may be, it Is no guarantee that you wi
keep so, and l would rather rot intcrieI
= in the matter"
"Do not give me a positive REFUSAL" Il
= said, "but try what you can do. "If pCaC
= is not made between us it will break m
1t heart, or, what is still more probable, il
/ duco me to commit selfdestruclion, for
+ cannot live without her."
6 "But consider the consequences" sal,
If "rhere is no fear this Time" he replied
d 81 give you my word Of honor that for III
y last fortnight have not touched one dro
Is of wine or spirits"
n "But you have often kept sober for {
y long as that before, and had not the cou
a, age to continue it," remarked.
ot at is different with me in the present il
SO stance" lie said. "Nothing shall ever il
p duce me TO take 10 the habit again."