Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-07-16


see if Jessie could suggest any improve
ment in the arrangements; but she seeme'
perfectly delighted, and WAS more like he
old, cheerful, happy self than had seel
her before. She peeped into the china clio
set, saying, with IL laugh, that if she "llat
a weakness, it WAS for a handsome tabl
servic -
''Pron,unce Judgment upon these
then,'' answered, as held before her .
set of decanters and wine-glasses. | dis
played them with pardonable vanity, iol
the design Was rare, and the workmanship
exquisite; and remembering my darling
dainty taste, had been at great pains to
procure them. / WAS not IL little dlstp-
painted, therefore, to hear her say, quietly
! that ''they were very beautiful, but she
should never use them"
Because, Aunty, long ago determined
that there should never he glass of liquor
in any house of which was the mistress. y
| knew Jessie to he an advocate OF the
temperance cause, but never supposed she
would allow it's principles to influence her
to such degree.
.sNonsense, 1 replied. Il OF are get
ting to be regular fanatic upon that sub
j .ct; there is no harm in an occasional in
diligence"
Aunty," and the delicate mouth Quiv-
ered, while the tones of her voice were
hard and bitter, ''my father committed
suicide in II fit of deliri,tm tremens, my
mother died broken-lIearted, and an only
BROTHER sleeps in II drunkard'S grave. Do
you wonder ut my fanaticism?"
'sDoes John know this?" I enquired.
She drew herself up proudly, and an
swered-
II have no secrets from him"
'sAnd he is willing to Danish wine from
his tablet"
"Qute so; and more than that, he has
promised never to touch it again himself. :"
'sWhy, Jessie!" [ exclaimed, lis it pos
sble tlxlt you have made temperance
man of him2 have often heard him de-
clare that no earthly power should induce
him to sign the pledge. You must be IL
magician"
s'Not quite, for he has not done that; his
promise was given to me; and the only
magician is Love-" she added, softly.
do not know what made me say it. but
the words came unbdden, and were ut
tered without thought--''S he should
fail to keep his word"
"Then God pity me, for he is father and
mother, brother and sister to me-all that
I have upon earth"
ssBut, surely, Jessie, you would not give
him up for that
A dreary, hopeless look filled the brown
firm, and the sweet voice never faltered,
as she repled-"iIe must choose for him
self.''
I said no more, satisfied that words were
useless, and we finished our tour of lnspec-
ton in silence.
The nextday found us once more at the
Ferns; and in the busy days that followed,
we had neither time nor inclination to
touch upon Il subject so painful. The
wedding day dawnel bright and beautiful,
VIC vi UtIOo5 lOtVIy OOtoOCl uoyo CiioU cCCi
to have strayed down to earth from Para
disc. The ceremony was to be performed
in the little old-fashlont d church, and I'M
mediately after tley were to start for
Washington. In compliance with Jessie's
wish very few invitations had been issued.
petitioned for a large party, but finally
yielded, and consoled myself with thoughts
Of the grand reception which would follow
their return, for. although | was no Ion
ger young, dearly loved to see people
happy. John came up the night before,
and called me into his room to examine
his present to Jessie-:ta exquisite pin OF
pearls, set in frosted gold. While there, |
noticed his dreSsing-case open, and in one
of the compartments travelling flask. |
picked it up. ''What is this, John?"
"Brandy,' was the laconic answer. 1
thought OF Jessie, and instantly looked
grave. He noticed it, and continued
with a smile, cit has not been opened in
five months, for I.suppose you know am
under orders now.''
Eyes. know, but why do you keep it
here, if you never use it?'
"Well, the case and contents were a
present; and besides, like to test my own
strength, by keeping it always within
reach, yet never yielding to the tempta
tioL, for it is such, sometimes" lie added
in a lower tone.
"Take care, john" urged. "Remem-
Der that human nature is but a f.'ail
thing to TRUST to, and how can you pray to
be kept frota temptation, yet hourly sub
ject yourself to such IL tritl?"
"Isn't it worth something to know that
| can resist?"
shook my head doubtfully, but said
| nothing. Jessie retired to her room early,
complaining of Il severe headache, and MS
was quite busy John decided to ride over
| to the village. | charged him with Il few
commissions, not very important, but
| which he promised, nevertheless. should
be faithfully attended to-, and babe him
good night. I did not hear him come
home, but happening. to be awake ut !,
| ,ng time after midnight, Iheard him pac-
ing the floor of his room with quick i'm
| patient step At first | was alarmed, but
| finally concluded that he was only Il little
nervous in anticipation OF coming events.
When l went down stairs in the morning
[ found him ON the piazza smoking.
'sGood morning,''I said, did you have
a pleasant ride, and where are my pack.
ages?"
He flung away his cigar, and came to-
wards me, looking pale and haggard, will
a heavy look about his eyes, that plainly
indicated sleepless night-"I am sorry
Aunty, quite forgot them," he began
but 1 interrupted him:
"What is the matter, John? Are you i'll