The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-03-06
HETTIE'S FIRST VALENTINE,


HETTIE'S FIRST VALENTINE.
It was n lovers. meeting, lovers
parting, when Robert Grey, walking
across the fields in the summer twilight,
found Hettie Holmes at the stiIc wait.
ing for him. There was nolight in. bcr
eyes when they caught sight of his tall,
strong figure coming toward her, no
smile On her lips when he stood near
her waiting fcr her to speak. Hunbly,
yet scarcely with tho humility OF a
lover, he looked into tile face before
bim, so very young and fair, 80 stern
aud pale. She looked mt his handsome
face, his tnil form, and a sh,Idder shook
her from head to foot. Very small,
very slight, there was yet q dignity in
hor voice and look as che said in a low
tone sl
g I catne to meet you once more. as
you requested, Robert, but YOU must
not think to move me from my resoiu-
ton"
. You cast mo of, tep,' ho said,
sadly and very very bitterly.
g 1t is your own act
But, Hettie, nm not the only mau
who sometimes takes glass more than
is good for him." he pleaded.
Is Yon are the only man that could
work misery 70 me by Drunkenness. y she
snid ''nietls-and satoroly -a. f.. is- an
80, VOID, Robert, but it is true one.
You were taken home from the ball on
Thursday evening helpless from intoxi.
cation"
But, Hcttie, it was n festive time.
All the young men were more Or less
u.:dn. the influence Of liquor"
NO. all, Robert. Thank Heaven,
some of tho mothers ami wives VIC E
cparad that anguish. ~
Come. Hottie, don't be too hard On
II 1>as rot L.; 4;-r,~..-=os OF ta,l l.
cit has happened once too often,
Robert, for you and for me. I. told
You L wO;ld never marry man who
used liquor, and will keep my word.
How often have you deceived me will
not ask. Thursday evening 1 saw
you.''
''It shall not happen again, Hettie ;
upon my honor, 1t shall not {"
"Will you ejg,, tie pledge?" she
asked, hope for the first time lighting
her soft brown eyes,
Bind myself that way Mo-! You
must trust me, Hettie. I thipk n man
signs himself coward when he puts
bis name to such paper, as if he was
afraid of his own resolution"
.' .rsFice yon have trusted to your res
olntion, and have trusted you. Twice
you have failed to keep your promise"
The young voice WAS har and stern
again. But moment later Hettie
spoke in q gentler voice.
/" Robert" she said, :" you have
known me only as a nursery governess
to Mrs. Reid's children. IN orphan and
alone in the world. Yonr love was a
generous one, Tor you are above mo III
position, have wealth, and might marry
fnr handsomer and richer girl than I
am."
"I love you" was the f.imple reply,
she heard it. y
g Because | believe yon love mc,
Robert, 1 will tell YOU what I hoped
miRhtncvcr have been known here. My
home is so far away, .ii / loved there
have been dead for three weary years,
and hoped the same might be buried
forever. But, Robert listen, my father
died u drl'nkard's death after living u
dunkard's life for fourteen years. l
cen remember, though dimly, a hand
BonIe ionse, my mother Handsome and
I"I,Iyy Wcil tltSotN, WIFI cpCTy com
fort sithiil hor reach I can we'll re-
member the gradual downfall from one
homo to another, each poorer than the
!act, the warm, comfortable clothing
growing shabbier5 and shabbicr, tho
bomntifuI table growing more and more
ecnnty. Worst Of all Robert, child as
was, ] could see7tli6 change from a
noble, upright manhood to tho brutality
Ola drunkard. / have seen my .fnothsr r
covering under blows, while [ sbrank
and shivercd in hidden corner. I
have seen little brothers and sisters,
one afSer another laid-in rudo collins,
victims of want and suffering. L have
seen my mother die, bidding me care for
the driveling, prematurely old man,
falling into his second childhood from
drink. The end came when he died
ravinginsthe madneBs of delirium tre-
mems, and when turned my back upon
his grave I made q VOW to nv heart
that sooner than tie my life to the
alaye OF drink gi 7 would end it with my
" But, Hettie, that 3was an extrem
csse. Your father was. yon say, the
slave Of drink. ;Itswill never he nv
master," t4atS -