The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-02-26
HETFIEs FIRST VALENTINE.

across the fields in the summer twilight
| found Hettie Holmes at the stile wait
ing for him. There was no light in he
eyes when they caught sight of his tall
strong figure coming toward her, nj
smile on her lips when he stood neal
her waiting fer her to speak. Humbly
yet scarcely with the humility of {
lover, he looked into the face before
him, so very young and fair, SO stern
and pale. She looked at his handsome
face, his tall form, and shudder shool
her from head to foot. Very small
very slight, there was yet a dignity IL
her voice and look as she said in low
tone
81 came to meet you once more, as
you requested, Robert, but you must
not think to move me from my resolu
tion."
"You cast me off, then, he said
sadly and very, very bitterly.
fIt is your own act
"But, Hettie, am not the only mar
who sometimes takes a glass more thar
is good for him." he pleaded.
"You are the only man that could
work misery to me by drunkenness. she
said, quietly and sternly. "It is an
| ugly WOTuy hOUSTbs DuG IL Is IEuo OuS'
| You were taken home from the ball on
Thursday evening helpless from intoxi-
| cation"
"But, Hettie, it was a festive time.
All the young men were more or less
under the influence of liquor"
"Not all, Robert. Thank Heaven,
some of the mothers and wives were
spared that anguish"
"Come, Hettie, don't be too hard on
me. It does not happen very often. y
cit has happened once too often,
Robert, for you and for me. 1 told
you I would never marry a man who
used liquor, and will keep my word.
How often have you deceived me will
not ask. Thursday ev,ning 1 saw
you."
1T shall not happen again, Hettie +;
upon my honor, it shall not "
"Will you sign the pledge?" she
asked, hope for the first time lighting
her soft brown eyes.
"Bind myself that way No! You
must trust me, Hettie. l think man
signs himself a coward when he puts
his name to such paper, as if Re was
afraid of his own resolution.
"Twice you have trusted to your res
olutiop, and have trusted you. Twice
you have failed to keep your promise. F"
The young voice was har1 and stern
again. But a moment later Hettie
spoke in a gentler voice.
Robert" she said, "you have
known me only as nursery governess
to Mrs. Reid's children, an orphan and
alone in the world. Your love was a
generous one, for you are above me in
position, have wealth, and might marry
a far handsomer and richer girl than L
am."
81 love you," was the simple reply,
and there were tears in Hettie's eyes as
she heard it.
because I believe you love me,
Robert, l will tell you what l hoped
mightnever have been known here. My
home is so far away, all l loved there
have been dead for three weary years.
and hoped the same might be buried
forever But, Robert, listen, my father
died drunkard's death after living n
drunkard's life for fourteen years. 1
can remember, though dimly, a hand
some house, my mother handsome and
happy, well dressed, with every COM
fort within her reach. l can well re-
member the gradual downfall from one
home to another, each poorer than the
last, the warm, comfortable clothing
growing shabbier and shabbier, the
bountiful table growing more and more
scanty. Worst Of all, Robert, child as
I was, I could see the change from a
noble, upright manhood to the brutality
of drunkard. have seen my mothfr
covering under blows, while 1 sbrank
r1,;roroI IN, hil1nV, I
have seen little brothers and sisters,
one after another laid in rude coffins,
victims of want and suffering ] have
seen my mother die, bidding me carefor
the driveling, prematurely old man,
falling into his second childhood from
drink. The end came when he died
raving in the madness of delirium tre-
mems, and when turned my back upon
his grave 1 made vow to my heart
that sooner than tie my life to the
slave of drink would end it with my
own hand"
"But, Hettie, that was an extreme
case. Your father was. you say, the
slave of drink. 1t will never be my
master"
"Itis your master now, since twice it
has made you break solemn pledge to
me-"
"But, Hettie, can't you understand 4?
A man may take occasionally a little
more perhaps than his head can bear,
and yet never fall into the pitiable state
you have described. Heavens, Hettie !"
he cried impatientIy, his temper paling
under the steady resolution of the face
that could b. so gentle and sweet, lyon
pay me a POOR compliment when You
want me to bind myself by written
pledge not to make beast of myself"
CT did not come here to exchange
compliments, said Hettie, sadly, but
to tell you that / will never take up the
burden that crushed my mother into
her grave, voluntarily. Never with my
eyes open will link my life with that
of man who ever touches one drop of
liquor. It is useless to repeat the old
Robert. Moderate drinkers,
intoxicated, may live for
years only moderate drinkers, but 1 will
never be the wife of any man who has
not bound himself by pledge never to
touch liquor in any form.
A total abstinence fool - sneered
Robert, now thoroughly angry.
GA total abstinence man." she said
firmly.
"I hope you will be able to find the
soft fool who will put his manhood un-
der your thumb. For myself, will
never bind myself to temperance
pledgel"
What !" he argued, "shalI I, the
richest man in M, who could marry
almost any girl in my own set, bindmy-
self to absolute slavery for a nursery
girl VINO has not one penny
beyond the salary Mrs. Reed pays her,
a drunkard's child, by her own confes-
sion? Never ?"
He was very angry, snd like most an
CRY men, very unreasonable. He forgot
to think of the long courtsbip by which
Hetiie was won, of the gentle maidenly
reticence that had been one of her great