Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-04-30
TAURM0NT Frederick County, Maryland Thursday April 80. 1885,
enlivened to the highest pitch the al
ready gay party.

enlivened to the highest pitch the al
ready gay party.
With. the closing dance, Efiie was
struck with a peculiar aud disagreeable
change in Henry, awaggering manner
unusual to him, thick. slow utterance
very different from his generally rapid
flow Of language. Closely she watched
him, and cold hand seemed clutching
at her heart.strings as the truth broke
upon her, that on the eve of their bridal
he had given way to his old habits of
intemperance. That was a sleeplees
night for Fife. Restlesaly she tossed
on her pillow, groaning aloud:
'Oh, my choice, my choice;is it indeed
to be fatal onc?'
Mrs. Leslie, lying beside her child
also sleepless, heard all her sobs. her
groans, her appeal, and tenderly enfold-
ing her Ia her arms, said softly:
Darling. it is not yet too late to re-
tract
'Ob it is, mother it is. I could not
bear the remarks it would cause, nor
could / bear Henry's misery. / have
made my choice, and must abide by it,
Pale, subdued but very lovely the
young bride looked on the following
morning as Henry. penitent and once
more himself, led her proudly to the
altar and as Mrs. Leslie marked bis eye
beaming with love, the tender devotion
of his manner, and his chivalrous court.
ly bearing, she could not wonder that
her darling had been captivated by one
with so many outward attractions; but
she trembled for her happiness, resting
on foundation utterly insecure and
worthless.
Weeks, months few by, and the
dreams of happiness INDUCED in by the
young wife were fully realized, Mist
ress over a lovely home, and received
most kindly and cordially by her hus'
bands relatives and friends-possessed
of all the comforts wealth could buy,
and idolized by Henry-Her days flew
by in unbroken enjoyment. Her letters
to her mother were the outgushings of
guilless girlish heart overlooking with
happiness; but ere year had passed
there was change.
Henry for nearly a year had been
true to bis promises, never even touch
ing the cup; but as the novelty of hia
married life wore away he once more
sought bis favorite haunts and his boon
companions.
At first Effie demonstrated and en-
treated as he reeled home surrounded
by boisterous crowd, to find her pa
tiently waiting his return; but penitent
as he would appear on the following
day she soon found that her influence
was but as feathers weight in oppo-
sing the fierce current.
Still he loved her but his moods were
fi.ful, his temper becoming more and
more violent. Day after day the evil
grew, and on her gentle head curses
were showered, because Of her evident
efforts to avoid him, while the fend Of
jealousy whispered that another had
taken his place in her heart. "The
worm will turn when trod upon" and
on one occasion in fit OF rage, he taun.
ted her with crime from the accusation
of which her pure soul revolted, she
answered him with contempt, he struck
her.
With that cowardly blow all Of Efie &
love went out. She had felt for months
the shame and humiliation ever filling
the heart of the drunkard's wife, but yet
love, such as a mother feels for an er.
ring child, chung around her heart for
her fallen idol, even after the wife's love
was gone forever. But that blow-it
changed her whole nature, and crushed
the last spark of affection which pity
had left burning.
One scene Of violence followed another
and yet never to her best friend, never
even to her mother, did she breathe the
tale of her wrongs.
u made my own choice was her con
slant thought, and now 1t is my duty
TO guard from reproach the name l once
felt proud and honored to BEAR Mrs.
Leslie saw the change In her child. be-
trayed by the altered tones of her letters
During the winter of 1898, F. NJ
Martin of Long Branch, W. Va, con-
tracted q severe cold which left him