The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-03-21
WINES WORK.


lie" was her husband. He had just set
tied himself for a quiet afterdlnner CT
gar. But Mrs. Cole had mschievously
I.snatched it from his hand, threatening
to withhold it until he gave her the de-
sired promise. And now she laid one
hand caressingly on his forehead, and
stealing the other under his chin she
looked archly yet half earnestly down
into the dark deeps of his eyes, with her
tender blue eyes, as she repeated Prom
Use me, Charlie. Now do; that's dear p
Nonsense, Virginia !" And he tried
to put away her hand.
'.Oh, Charlie !" reproachfully.
q Pshaw, do let me go. You'll choke
me-" he said, half impatiently
And so ! will," she cried, merrily,
eff you don't promise me, this very
minute, not to drink anything stronger
than pure cold water at Uncle Logan's
party tonight"
&" Yes, yes, yes There, now, Ivhope
I've promised often enough to satisfy
you"
50 On your honor?"
Certainly. Yes, of course !"
ooh, sir, thought could bring you
to terms. Recollect, you have said on
your honor"
Aud then, while her face grew earnest
in its pleasing expression, she added :
Oh, Charlie, you do not know how
anxious have felt about this party ever
since we decided to go. They always have
such a gay time at Uncle Logan's. And
you know, dear, though you would not do
wrong thing yourself, how easy it is for
your companions to make you 60 too far,
because you are such dear, good-natured
fellow. But now that you have promised
me. feel quite easy. And, dear, don't
forget when the young men begin to get
too gay, come up stairs to me and baby"
And he promised.
Going out to an evening party at Uncle
Logan's was no small, affair, considering
that it was a good five-mile ride from
Glendale, out into the country over rough
roads, with Maple River-swollen by re-
cent rans--to be crossed. For this was
in remote and secluded part of Eng.
land, distant from any railroad, and with
no town near where a vehicle might be
obtained. Besides, Virginia Gale was
first rate horsewoman, and feared moth
ing on her own account. That she was
thus rather rash and foolhardy, will APP
pear from the fact that she had resolved
t. cucumber herself with a burden,
though of a very interesting kind.
Lights were gimmering from the win
dows as they rode up to Uncle Logan's
gate; and the number Of horses and We
hicles already congregated around it
showed that the invited guests Of the
Christmas-eve party were already begin
ming to drop in. Aunt Lizzie came out
to the door to meet them, and took the
sleeping babe from Virgie's poor, tired
arms.
Remember, Charlie y she said i'm
ploringly, laying her head on his shout
ders as they were on the point of separa-
ting-she, for Aunt Lizzie's comfortable
room above-st airs-he, Cor the society of
his boon companions
'eNever fear mel" And he went gaiIy
away.
Alas for the promise made to the
fond, credulous wife, sitting up stairs in
the quiet matronly circle, with her babe
on her knee, so proud and happy-for it
was her first child. And what young
mother ever failed to appreciate the dig
nifty of her position at such q time
in less than half an hour Charles Gale
had forgotten his promise, wife, child,
everything and again and again his
glass was filled, and MS voice raised in
riotous chorus with the loudest.
The night waned and the guests be-
gan to dispense. Vrgie sat in the dress.
ingroom all ready for tue ride, holding
in her lap what seemed to be huge bun
die of shawls, but which was in reality
little Charlie, who lay curled up in his
warm nest fast asleep, with one little fat
thumb in his mouth.
81 wonder what makes Charles so late"
she said, at last, impatiently.
"Aunt Lizzie, will you please send for
him, and say I'm waitipgg"
He came at length. But the first
words he spoke told her ALL She knew
at once that he was intoxicated, though
to others only very slight excitement
was all that appeared unusual about him.
Oh! the shame She hardly dared
speak to him. All her thought was to
get him away before he betrayed his con
dtion to other eyes.
"Give me the child" he said.
And as she did so, she felt that his
arm was unsteady.
"Oh dare not trust the baby with
him." was her thought, but she was ST.
lent.
She could not bear that tn ose around
should know the Notifying truth.
81 do wish you would stay all night,
Virgie," spoke Aunt Lizzie, renewing
her entreaties. cit is SO late, and it is
growing colder"
Virgie thought of the dreary five miles
ride with drunken husband-and then
the river! She had before refused to
stay, but now she thought better of it.
''Fhat do you think of it, Charles2
Hadn't we better stay" she asked per
suasively.
But liquor had made him sullen.
mo, we must go home" he said, SIR
lily.
She knew it would avail nothing to
argue the matter with him, but only lead
to painful exposure, so she commenced
paying her adieux.
BY dint of gentle coaxing she induced
him to give the babe to her before they
started.
Ashley rode away Uncle Logan shout
ed out to them:
s'Look out for the riverP
/ Virgie's heart was too heavy for q
reply; but Charles shouted back with
| maudlin cheerfulness:
stAIl rightp'
As they rode on she saw that he wa:
sinking into drunken stupor. Oh, il
they were only safe at home, how glad