South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-10-13
A Wife. influence.


the willfui young beauty, was not in
mood to appreciate the wise counsel
OF her aunt.
Il do not want to give my consent
to union that would render you mis-
cradle, Georgia. replied the lady firm,
~; and you-would you be the wife
OF drunkard?'
Hepromised me that he would quit
drinking little fearfully this time.
'How long since, child9'
More than a month ago.
The lady was silent for a few mo-
ments; then she said gravely,
Georgia, ! told you at first that the
habit was confirmed with Louis Howe.
He was sixteen years old when frs,
saw him intoxicated lie is now twen-
ty four
But he may have kept his promise
Aunt Sophie
Don't delude yourself with that
belief, Georgia. Louis Howe passed
by here last night 80 deeply intoxica-
ted that he could scarcely hold the
reils. You need not look incredu.
lous, child; 1t is true. IT he was a
man of high moral principle, / would
hope that wite's gentle influence
would save him. But | think there's
no human help for him.
a long pause, during which Geor.
gla was endeavoring TO restrain the
tears that would come. After n while
Miss Chester continued, thoughtfully
i have known one instance when
II wiie's gentle influence saved q no.
BILE man from disgrace and niscr-
able death, perhaps. But he had on
~ Just begun to quaff from the poi.
soned cup, and besides he was far SUI
peror in character to Louis Howe
You remember You were remarking
only the other day upon the happiness
OF your cousin, Ada Melbourne and
her husband. They were married
while you were at boarding school,
Georgia looked up in eager expec-
tatiom.
L Will tell you of it all now. Not
because that l believe that any pure
influence could educate Louis, but
because it happens TO be uppermost
III my mind. Ada always was a
strange girl-rescrved, modest, and
gentle, yet very firm & decided some-
times. | was never tired of watching
her face-she lived with me then.
You know. Sho was in all respects
such woman as was rarely to be
found
One day she came to me and told
me that one OF her admirers had pro-
posed
What was your answer, Ada?' l
asked.
i rejected him decidedly, Aunt So.
phie,' she replied 'IwouId not mar
ry man who gave promise Of filling
Il drunkard's grave
He drinks moderately l said just
for the purpose of trying her.
My husband must be totally alb
stemious,' she said firmly.
Il rejoiced at her decision, and was
still happier when she gave her prom.
ise to Charley Melbourne to be his
wife. They were married, and, at the
urgent request of both l went to live
with them in their new home. Their
sly was cloudless for time, but after
a while | saw that Ada was sad and
care-worn | did not question her a.
bout it, but waited until she should
come to me-which she did before
long.
oh, Aunt Sophie, am so misera.
bic! she exclaimed / soothed her
tenderly, and after a while, when she
had become calmer, she told me all.
That her rejected suitor, from mo-
tives OF revenge, probably, was en-
deavoring to draw Charley away from
the home influence. Il have tried TO
warn him. she said. 'but he is qener.
Gus TO fault. and will not believe i'm
possibility Of such an act of treachery.
lie went to the club last night with
him. aud was almost angry when /
tired gently to demonstrate. Oh
what shall | do?'
Ada was almost in despair then.
and it was nearly beyond my power
to encourage her. At length she n.
rose, however, understanding that che
alone could save him, and determined
to do everything in her power.
That night Charly did not come
home TO tea. / knew that Ada anti
cipated n reception of the last nights
experience. j could not sleep, and
for dreary hours could hear her walk.
ing restlcssly up and down the floor
IN her room. just at twelve Charley
came home.
with wisdom which few persons
OF more mature years seem to possess.
she said nothing TO him then. His
voice Heated IN TO me somewhat husk.
ily, and. | feared tic worst. An hour
after my door was opened softly and
Ada CAME IN and threw Lcrsclf down
on the side Of the bed murmurinp
sadly
oh Aunt Sophie it is inst as l fear
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