Port Royal commercial and Beaufort County Republican. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1873-1874, 1874-02-05
Don't preach, Arthur. Try a bit of hot

DOu pIeaCl, Aitnuis 1iy opAe Va AAo'
brandy"
There are moments in lifetime
great the events OF thepast
flash before the mind as upon a magic
mirror-when O man, in brief in
slant, recalls every salient point OF his
earthly career. Such a moment was
the present to Arthur Gravely.
"Let it alone" he said, solemnly.
"I tell you, Jack, and you, Will, that
YOU are going down. You can't last
much longer at this rate"
"Well," retorted Roberts, with an
attempt to laugh. "it appears to me
that what is sauce for the goose is
sauce for the gander. Hadn't you bet
ter try to let it alone yourself ?"
eff I will try it, will you try it ?"'he
VIZ you try it9" demanded Hat
ton.
az will if you will join me-"
"Done p
And they did it. They joined hands
and promised one another that they
would be true and steadfast.
A new surprise was in store for Ar
thur Gravely. He found upon cutting
off his spirituous liquors that his body
weakened and that his hands shook rs
though with palsy. He applied to
physician for help. Fortunately he
applied to man of sense and under
standing.
"Can you give me something to
steady my nerves and restore my appe-
tite ?" Arthur asked, after he had
frankly stated his case.
"This shows you, my dear sir" said
the physician, I" into what dangerous
state you had fallen. I can give you
something to steady your nerves, but
it would not help you in the end. If
YOU will be brave and true you will
come out all right in very few days"
Arthur said he should not 60 back.
He wanted no stimulant-no more of
that.
The trial was q severe one, and it
may have been O blessed thing for
Arthur Gravely that it was so. He felt
more heroism in the conquest, and he
also saw more clearly how deeply the
evil habit had become fixed upon him:
On the morning of the fourth day of
his trial he awoke with an appetite for
food, and was able to eat hearty
breakfast. He was O new man from this
time forth. The physician had given
him certain hygienic directions which
he followed implicitly, and thus he held
fast upon his health as it came back to
him.
And on this fourth day Arthur saw
Hatton and Roberts. They had kept
the faith, and had been Unexpectedly
prospered. An excellent opening in
business had been presented and ac-
cepted.
On the fifth day the business which
had brought Gravely from hishome was
concluded, and he set out on his return.
And the last struggle had passed. His
nerves had become steady; his appetite
had started up as if by magic; his cheek
had grown fair; and the white of his eye
was growing clear and pearly again.
He reached his own city in the
morning, and went first to the bank and
gave in return of his business. Mr..
Vanderlain had glanced quickly and
eagerly into his face when he first
entered, and a wondreus change came
upon the bankers manner as the busi-
ness proceeded. Something outside
the business in hand was evidently on
his mind.
Arthur did not reach his home until
time for dinner; but he had sent boy
from the bank with word that he should
be there.
"Fanny!!
Darling! O, I'm so glad to see you
back p
Something made the wife even hap
pier than she had thought as she rested
within ber husbands embrace; but in
the sudden Joy she could not see it.
she could only feel great warmth, like
the glow of heaven, as Arthur's kiss
came, sweet and pure, to her lips.
AS they entered the dining-room
Arthur saw the decanter of wine near
his plate.
"Take it away, Fanny" he said.
smiling. eff you want it hereafter for
medicine, keep it. For myself shall
not want it"
"Not want it ARTHUR"
81 have done with it forever !"
He spoke solemnly, with manliness
that was strong and reliant.
And the wife saw whence had come
the great warmth to her heart-saw it
in the pure cheek, and in the clear eye,
as she had caught it in the sweet
breath.
"Arthur-my husband" she whIs-
pered, as though hardly daring to trust
her own senses, sis it true ?-do you
mean-forever ?"
While I live, darling" God giving
me strength and reason"
Fanny was upon the opposite side of
the table. She tried to speak, but her
voice failed her. She turned white
then she pressed her hand for an in
stant upon her heart, and then, as the
crimson food once more bounded on its
course, she covered her face, and sank
down, weeping like a child.
Arthur was by her side in moment.
"Fanny my wife what is it ?"
She looked up, and caught his
startled gaze through her tears. With a
quick movement she threw her arms
around his neck, and pillowed her head
upon his bosom.
80, Arthur bless you bless you
could die for Joy if did not feel that
could find more happiness in living
now for you -
Here was a new revelation. Arthur
Gravely now learned how his sweet wife
had suffered without daring to COM
plain-how the worm had gnawed at