The Van Buren press., 1875-04-20

to her weight OF sorrow. For Il long
lime her husband had passed his evenings
away from home, even remaining away
till midnight, and often later, and at such
times he made frequent use OF alchollc
beverages but against this she had never
made decided remonstrancc, for he had
never returned to his home in state OF
intoxcation, and she had no idea tnat the
little he drank could make much difference
in pecuniary point Of view. Yet Sarah
ElIery was not without her fears, and, as
night after night passed, and fonnd her
husband absent from home, she could
not but tremble for the future.
That night little Lucy returned from
school wet and cold; aud with n moth
er's fond tears, Mrs Ellery changed her
garments and placed her by a warm fire
but a cold shiver seemed to take possess.
ion of the child that no outward warmth
could overcome. and the mother justly
feared that the daughter would be SICK.
Charles came to his supper, and the events
of the morning having passed from his
mind. he was comparatively happy aud
cheerful; but still he could not help no.
ticing that his little child was not as
sprghtly as usual. and his wife was sad
and thoughtful. Then the thought came
over him that this was the effect of the
morning scene, and he became moody
and tacturn, aud at length he took his
hat to go out
Charles, said his wife, in a kind i'm.
ploring manner, couldn't you stay with
me this evening? I'm afraid Lucy's 90.
ing to be sick, and it's so dark and stor.
my that really feel lonesome. You used
to spend your evenings with your wife. ,
'Oh, I'll he back in good season. Sa
rah. am just going out to see what is
going on Lucy will he well enough, !
guess
Then you will be at home, early, won't
your
Yes, replied Mr. Ellery, in a sort of
hesitafing, indrcisive manner; and with
out further remark he left the house
Now, as Charles Ellery walked along
away from his house, he made up his
mind that he would return early-hc
would look ia at one or two places where
his companions were in the habit ofcon
grcgating, smoke a cigar, have chat
and then return.
The first place he came to was an oys
ter saloon. kept by one Of his old friends,
and as he entered, he was greeted 10y Il
hearty welcome from all hands.
Come, boys said one Of the party,
shortly after Charles had entered, " let's
shake for the drinks"
Charles Ellery might have resisted a
direct invitation to drink, for his appetite
did not crave it, but the accompanying
amusement was so entertaining, so social
that he could not say no, and SO he join
cd the rest in the sport. The dice.box
was procured, and the party, eight in all,
commenced the game. Round and round
went the dicc--one after another was
greed from the treatSaud at length FL
lery was declared the loser Hot brandy
punches were called for and Charles paid
the bll-ffty cents; but that was moth
ing--'twas mere sport; and without a
thought, save Of pleasure, he threw n
three dollar bill upon thc'bar, from which
to have the expenses Of the eight punch
os taken. The sport was so exciting that
Tue ulcc DON WIS CHiicV ioI "Soih, ANU
though Charles got Gle r of the bill, he
yet drank with the rest, and then a third
lime did Charles Ellery drink.
All hands were now ready for amuse
ment One thing after another was pro-
posed, until, at length, it was agreed to
have a cosy game Of billiards.
Had Charles been asked half an hour
previously to have gone on such nights
entertainment, he might have said no,
but now, with three glasses of brandy
sending its fumes up in his brain he al
most unhesitatingly said yes, and so to
the billiard room they went, and it was
not till the bell struck the hour of mid
night that the party broke up.
When Charles EIlery left his jolly
companions, he found that he had just
spent three dollars but the fumes Of the
liquor made him feel happy, and he
thought it mere trifc when compared
with the amount of pleasure he had re.
ceived from it With light, easy step,
he started toward his home, but ere he
had been long on the way, his step grew
heavier, for he happened to remember
lUNt Ut llt' iin "''N ''"' Nv
would be home in good season, and when
he entered his dwelling it was not with.
out misgivng that he WAS not doing ex-
ac,ly as he ought to do.
I lie found his wife with n thick shawl
drawn closely over her shoulders, sitting
over the fire; and as the gentle Sarah
cast her eyes toward him, he could not
fail to observe that they were red and
swollen with weeping
why, Sarah, what are you up FOR Mt
this late time OF nightY asked Charles
in a sort Of wondering, uneasy tone.
! l. could not go to bed till You had
come, Charles, said she, rising from her
seat, and extending her hand to her hus.
band And besides, our child is very
sick Oh, hope that Lucy viii not have
the fever that 10 SO prevalent around us
oh, there's no danger, ! guess re.
turned Mr.. Ellery in conciliatory tone.
'Only y slight cold--she'll soon get over
it,
Charles Ellery felt i'll at ease. Not one
word had his wife said about his remain
inr SO late away from his home, and as
he began to realize how much she had
suffered in her loneliness, his heart smotc
him with his coldncss.
Such little attention as Mrs. Ellery
could bcstow upon her child were freely
administered, but some time ere the NOR.