The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-03-27

the door, had found US both too be
wildered to act, and for a momen
longer we looked helplessly at eael
lother.
| Then her husband muttered,
What's the use Of standing here
and staggered into the parlor.
Near the door stood a dainty littl
table with Mrs Elliott's bridal wreatl
and boquet upon it, eneased in
glass cover. He stumbled agains
this, and fell with it crushing to tn
floor. The warmth Of the room will
the excess of liquor he had drank
now produced nausea, and sickenins
to behold, the flowers that had crow
ed his brides brow were now fouleC
literally, even as his action had stain
ed her fair, pure name.
1t was awful-it was horrible, ever
to nae, beyond the power to express
to see that proud, refined gentle
man grovelling helplessly, like wilt
beast in his filth, in that sweet littlt
parlor, that dainty casket of hil
priceless jewel. But what must i
have been to his Wife2
She did not faint as 1 feared, Oh
become hysterical, but the anguish
of her look would have melted a fin
ty heart. With clasped hands shG
stood over her husband till he haC
become somewhat quiet, as pitying
angel might. Oh, the contrast she
made to him! O,the mighty triumph
of love, that she had not turned from
him in disgust.
AS soon as she could, she took his
head in her lap, and said in a low
firm voice,
'vinton, how did it happen? Tel.
me all
Nothing much happened he hic-
coughed. Met some friends at Har
ry Hilrs-took a little too much
that's ALL
Harry Hills, Harry Hills she
muttered, as if some new light was
dawning on her.
have dwelt too long upon these
painful scenes, but they seem burnt
upon my memory, and my mind will
revert to them, even though to think
of them is torture. He was not vic.
lent, though somewhat obstinate and
profane. At last she got him to bed,
and he fell in a heavy stupor. As
she returned to me in the drawing
room, where there was a fire, said
4 will nor leave you tonight
She thanked me with a silent pres
sure of the hand, and we sat down to
watch together as before, but with
the awful certainty of evil instead of
its expectation. In the depth of my
soul 1 trembled for her. She might
stand one or two such shocks, but
the moment she lost faith in-her hus-
bands will or power to refrain from
the cause of his present condition,
she would die. Her hold upon life
was fragile as it was.
She stepped to her husbands side
from time to time, and then came
and sat down. Her brows were con
tracted, as if in deep thought or th'
formation of a purpose. Her eye
had fixed solemn look that con
trasted strangely with her fair youns
face. At last she asked suddenly:
"Where is this Harry HilPsF"
1 told her.
Morning came, after a seeming
age. We had cleansed and righted
the parlor as well as we could. The
cook got breakfast as usual, and was
told that her master was sick.
tried to anticipate Mrs. Elliott il
obtaining the morning paper from
the newsboy, but she was too quick
for me. With dilating eyes she
scanned the columns, then with 6
cry of anguish, dropped the paper
It's all here, she groaned, and she
writhed and wrung her hands as il
in intense bodily anguish.
Itwas true enough, and with al
editorial paragraph of comment up
on it. A reporter of the paper wa;
in the habit of feeling some of the
night guardians of the city for any
item of interest that came to theil
knowledge. The policeman knew
that this scandal of Vinton Elliot
would be well paid for and he was
not the man to lose several dollsrI
on any sentimental grounds. Ever
the night editors sensibilities seem
ed shocked over the affair, for he haC
written:
Things have come to a sad pas
when such men as Elliott get dow
in the streets. If the praying anC
singing women can do US any goOC
they had better come at once. Hsrry
Hills establishment with all its style
is one of the most misehieYous pla
ces in town. etc.
After few moments she agar
seized the paper.
'Oh, leave it alone / cried
You've had more than you can en-
dure now
4 am not child she answered
almost fercely. L intend to know
and face the worst of this matter,
and with a white, stern face, sht
read every word, and then sat for 6
few moments with the old though
full contraction of brow. Suddenly
she started up with a look of fixeC
purpose and asked:
How long do You think he vii
sleepr
Several hours
Then come with me-
'Where?'
TO Mrs. Judge Ashmun's.'
The judges family was just sittin.
down to breakfast when we arrived
why, Mrs. Elliott. and Mrs. NJ
too!' exclaimed that good lady, il
unfeigned surprise. What is the
matter2 Surely, this is not a socia
call
No. said Mrs. Elliott impetuous
lly. Mrs. Ashman, / take back al
l said about ladies going to liquo
saloons, in order to break them Il
if they can. 1 am going to Harr
Hills today, if 1 go alone. H
about the same as murdered my hus
band last night, and she briefly tol
her story. 4 am going there thi
very morning. she continued. III
must resist a whites prayers and
wife's curses if he sells my husban
one drop more. Will you go wit