Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-08-08

had quite the contrary effect. 1 had
never been so fearless, nor seen so
clearly before with whom 1 was deal
ing. Coming to me a little later, he
said, "I want you to read it you will
find il a vindication of yourself. You
have not stood before the community
for five years as you now do"
Reused still further by the wicked
ness hid behind so false a mask, l re-
piled, Theodore, understand me, this
is the last time you call me publicly to
walk through this filth. My character
needs no vindication at this late hour
from you. There was a time, had you
spoken out clearly, truthfully, and
manfully for me, l had been grateful;
but now shall speak and act for my
self. Know also that if in the future l
see scrap of paper referring to any
human being, however remote, which
it seems to me you might use or per-
vert for your own ends will destroy
it."
"This means battle on your part,
then," said he.
Just so far" replied.
write this sbecause these words of
mine he has since used to my harm.
The next morning went to my brother,
and told him that now l had decided to
act in this matter; that 1 had been
treated by my husband as a nonentity
from the beginning, plaything, to be
used or let alone at will that it always
seemed to me was a party not little
concerned. then showed him card I
had made for publication.
He respected the motive, but still adj
vised silence on my part. 1 yielded to
him thus far, as to appearing in the
public prints but counseling with my
self and no other, it occurred to me that
among the brethren of my own COM
munlon might be heard. Not know
ing of any Church Committee, [ asked
the privilege of such an interview in
the parlors OF those who had always
been our mutual friends. Mr.. and Mrs.
Ovington then learned, for the first
time, that the COMMITTEE would meet
that night, and advised me to see those
gentlemen, as perhaps the goodliest
persons could select. This accord
ingly did.
There, alone, I pleaded the case of
my husband and my children, the re-
suit being that their hearts were moved
in sympathy for my family-a feeling
their pastor had shared for years, and
for which he was now suffering.
On going home found my husband
reading in bed. 1 told him where I
had been, and that I did not conceal
anything from him, as his habit was
from me. He asked who the gentle
men were, said no more, rose, dressed
himself, and babe me goodbye forever.
The midnight following I was awak-
ened by my husband standing by my
bed. In very tender, kind voice he
said he wished to see me. 1 rose in
stantly, followed him into his room, and
sitting on the bedside, he drew me into
his lap, said "he was proud of me,
he loved me; that nothing ever gave
him such real peace and satisfaction as
to hear me we'll spoken of that meet
ing member of the committee, he had
learned that he had been mistaken as
to my motive in seeing the committee,
and had FASTENED to assure me that he
had been thoroughly wretched since
his rash treatment of me the night be-
fore," &c.
Then and there we covenanted sacred
ly our hearts and lives-I most utterly,
renewing my trust in the one human
heart 1 loved. The next day how happy
we we're! Theodore wrote statement
to present to the committee when they
should call upon him, to all of which
/ heartily acceded. This document,
God knows, was true history of this
affair, completely indicating my honor
and the honor of my pastor. In the
afternoon he left me to show it to his
friends.
He returned home early in the even
ing, passing the happiest hours 1 had
known for years /; renewedly assuring
me that there was no rest for him away
from me. So, in grateful love to the
dear Father, l slept. Oh, that the end
had then come [ would not then have
received the cruel blow (which made
woman mad outright"
The next morning he called upon our
friends, Mr.. and Mrs. Ovington, and
there, with shocking bravado, began
wicked TRADE, adding with oath and
violence the shameless ISLANDERS against
Mr.. Beecher, of which 1 now believe
him to be the author. This fearful
scene I learned next day. In the after
noon he showed me his invitation from
the Committee to meet them that even.
ing. I did not then show my hurt
but carried it heavily within, but calm.
ly without, all night, till early morn.
ing.
Reflection upon this scene at Mr..
Ovington's convinced me that, notwith
standing my husbands recent profes
sions to me, his former spirit was un
changed; that his declarations of re-
pentance and affection were only fol
the purpose of gaining my assistance tc
accomplish his ends in his warfare
upon Mr.. Beecher. In the light O.
these conclusions my duty appeared
plain.
rose quietly, aud having dressed
reused him only to say Theodore
will never take another step by you.
side. The end has indeed come" Ell,
followed me to Mrs. Ovington's tt
breakfast, saying I was unduly ex
cited, and that he had been misrepre
sented perhaps-but leaving me deter
mined as before. How to account TO
the change which twenty-four hour
had been capable of working in hi
mind, then many years past, leave
for the eternities with their mysterie
to reveal. That he is an unreliable ant
unsafe guide whose idea of truth-lovint
is self-loving, it is my misfortune il
this late, sad hour to discover.
ELIZABETH r. TILToN.