Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-02-13

she has learned by This time that Harry
Alden is not to be counted upon in that
sort of hummery."
"Oh, Harry. you are too bad,' said n
young man who had seen and admired
the fair young wife. "Onlv six months
married, and your wife such noble
woman! I would Just quit this sort of
lite and be man worthy of her."
"Tra, la, la! What famous preacher"
said Harry Alden. Don't you know,
young man. that gay young blade like
Harry Alden can never remain tied up 10
one little sweetbriar? He must have tho
range of the garden. Ira, la, la!" and
he emptied the bottle which stood beside
him.
Something stronger than this, waite-."
he called to the servant in waiting.
That night, for the first time in her life,
Hattie Alden saw her husband in a state
of helpless intoxination.
"Horrible! disgusting! beastly!" said
his mother, who had wine upon her table
every day. Il hope you will rate him
sonndly when he RECEIVERS, my dear"
The next morning Mr.. Alden was suf-
fering from a severe headache, and his
mother gave him the wine he called for,
and the young wife did not give him tho
reprimand.
The gay young blade" did not profit by
he forbearance of his vile; ard when one
day she told him quietly and decidedly
that unless he reformed she should be
compelled TO seek divorce, he cursed her
and went to his accustomed haunts.
The beautiful young wife sought the
shelter of her mothers house once more,
With tiny infant in her arms. "Vine is
mocker; strong drink is raging" had
been demonstrated in her daily life till
she was compelled to invoke the protection
Of the law Her life was in peril, and u
Iivorce was granted from the false wretch
who had so solemnly promised to love
Ind cherish her It'll death do you part"
Released from the cruelty of dissipated
husband Mrs. Alden's health and beauty
we're restored. She was even more beau
tiful than in her girlhood, but her ideat
lad been so rudey shattered TINT she only
looked with pity upon the dssipaled
wretch she had once called husband.
A noble lady in Boston, noted for her
kindness Of heart and womanlv sympathy
with all who needed help, invited the
unfortunate young wife to her house and
befriendcd her while she watched with
interest the beautiful unfolding of charac-
ter. The infant daughter inherited all
her mothers beauty and grace, and when
she was five years of age, while on visit
to her friend, Mrs. Travcrs, Mrs. Alden
said:
IF you do not object. Mrs. Travers,
should like to send for Harry that he may
see his child. 1t may be that it will do
him good, and love for her may save the
father"
Mrs. Travcrs cheerfuly assented, and
the humbled and repentant man came
into the presence OF the noble woman
he had once called wife, and mother of
his child. The angelic beauty and limo
cence of the little one melted the sin
encrusted heart, and he listened quietly to
the kind and friendly counsel of his wife.
Remember that she bears your name,
and do not disgrace it for her sake" she
said as she bade him farewell.
"Oh, papa, have seen the most beau
'iful lady; SO like my own mamma. and
she has such lovely little girl! How
wish you could get her for my mammal"
This was the drift of letter written by
l motheriess boy of ten years who was
staying in Newport, to his father in Bos-
ION.
"Alrs. Alden. I wonder if that is the
adv who visits Mrs. Travers. | must
look into this matter" said Mr.. Arnot, as
he folded the letter of his little boy.
smiling rs he spoke. "A queer fancy for
my little Tommy. | wonder if could
zee any likeness to my sainted Alice"
n,l,
was surprised by Il visit from stranger
who introduced himself as Mr.. Arnot.
II called, Mrs. Travers," he said,
knowing that you are interested in Mrs.
Alden. am very much pleased with the
ady. and hope that may persuade her
% become my Wife
Thoroughly astonisheI, Mrs. Travers
said
is not this very sudden? How long
nave you known Mrs. Alden, permit me
% askP'
Mr.. Arnot related the incident of the
etter. and informed her that he had met
he lady. and the chId's impression was
correct. He had never seen one so like
his sainted wife"
And hope she is not entirely indiffer-
INT TO me-" he added, giving Mrs. Ira
yers ample references. saying he hoped
or her good offices in his suit.
81 Deg that you will not thnk me- ner-
,enary, Mr. Arnot," she said; but my
experience has taught me that in an affair
)f this kind it is well 10 settle upon the
ady whom you choose TO be your wife
'um which will support you and her in
,ase of reverses."
Thank you," he said; II will do it.
It is only justice and the gentleman
withdrew.
A few days later he called in carriage
With Mrs. Alden, to invite her to visit n
lew house, Just completed, on Common
wealth avenue, beautiful new street
which bears the palm away from aristo-
ratio old Beacon street.
at is the most perfect house l ever
aw," said Mrs. Travers who had all her
ife been accustomed to elegant houses,
md had Travelled a great deal.
And are you pleased with il, my dear
Irs Aldenp" he asked.
'Oh yes, 1t is perfectly lovely. 1t
makes one happy even to lock it over. 1t
s perfection.
He gave her aroll.of paper.
That is the deed of the place, Hattie"
le said in low voice. ut is yours"
Mrs. Alden turned very pale and sank
nto seat, but Mrs. Travers said merrily:
"Now. Hattie, dear, you are nicely pro-
ided for, and can marry young man if
'ou choose"
"Yes, but hope she will not choose"
aid Mr.. Arnot soberly; yet I must
dmit l have very little to recommend
ne, not even fashionable vices. cannot
moke cigar, and never tasted a glass
f liquor in my life, so you see what
ovice am, and am entirely at your
nercy."
Mrs. Alden took both the strong white
ands within her own, as she looked with
eyes into his kind. noble face.
"And YOU" she said, with a quiver in
er voice, "with true, pure, noble soul
q a clean earthly temple, choose di-
orced wife as your life companion, the
lolher of your little sonP" And the
ears which she could control ne longer
Ill plentifully over her cheeks.
divorced from weakness, pain and
lisery alone trust" he said. $50 you
ccept the old man with all his weakness?"
She pressed his hand to her lips.
UIf I do not make this heautiful houae