panion. When she read the confession of his faults, which was made with great seeming humility, and accompanied with earnest entreaties for forgiveness, she wept, and longed to assure him of her returning confidence and abiding affection.

Mr. Johnson stated in his letter, that he was settled in business, and was determined to do well; and that he should be glad if she would forgive him, and remove to the place where he was then residing. She rejoiced at the reception of these tidings, and resolved to comply with his wishes as soon as practicable. When she expressed this determination to her friends, they remonstrated, assuring her that she would be pursuing an unwise course.

'I think otherwise,' replied Mrs. Johnson. 'I believe I can be the means of doing good to my unfortunate, mistaken husband; at least, I shall try.'

She wrote immediately to Mr. Johnson, and acquainted him of her decision; at the same time naming the day on which he might expect her. She then hastily prepared for her removal; and in a few days was again with the father of her remaining child. She felt encouraged to hope that brighter days awaited her, when she saw the improvement in her husband's appearance and spirits; and not any thing was wanting on her part to induce him to do right.

For a number of months, his reformation promised fair to be permanent, and a source of happiness to his confiding wife. But, in less than one year, the fatal tempter came, and he was again ensnared by his delusive wiles. He allowed himself to mingle in society where the convivial cup was gaily passed around. He refused the first

invitation to partake of its contents, but being strongly urged, he foolishly thought it would evince a want of courtesy to decline further, and hesitatingly tasted again that draught which had so often proved baneful to his own happiness and that of his friends. Ere he had drank one glass, a relish was excited for the unnatural stimulant, which he again indulged; and before the party separated for the night, he was carried to his patient, uncomplaining wife, in a state of intoxication. Her heart well nigh sickened, as she saw him, almost helpless, borne to his chamber; but she spoke not, for she felt that words on such an occasion would be idle. She left him, with his faculties benumbed, lying upon his bed, and retired to another apartment, where her innocent and unconscious little daughter lay sleeping. Mrs. Johnson threw herself upon the bed beside her child; but vainly was sleep courted by her during that wearisome night.

She dreaded the dawn of day, for she shrunk from the developments it would make respecting her companion. When the morrow came, to her it was shrouded with gloom.

Ere the sun rose, her husband awoke, and crept stealthily from his dwelling, with a feeling of shame that caused him to shun the eye of any one whom he felt would disapprove of his conduct. He bent his steps towards a public house, where liquor was sold by the glass; but ventured not to raise his eyes until he found himself seated in the bar-room. Here he felt that he was welcome and could act without restraint. A sad practical comment, this, upon the keeper of such an establishment!

'Well, my friend,' said the proprietor, 'what will you take this morning?'

6

'A glass of your best brandy, sir,' answered the unhappy man, as I am suffering from a feeling of faintness this morning.'

The brandy was handed him; as he was about putting it to his lips, he looked towards an open window, and his eyes instantly met the gaze of a gentleman who had proved himself to him a well-tried friend on many occasions. This individual was aware of the situation in which Mr. Johnson had been carried home on the previous night, and had seen him leave his home on that morning, with an expression of countenance that led him to fear that he would repeat the excesses of the preceding night. He had followed him, unperceived by the object of his solicitude, until he saw him in the way described.

Mr. Johnson was quick to perceive an expression of regret depicted on the countenance of this friend, whom he had long regarded with a feeling of affection and deference, as he beckoned to him to come out into the street. A momentary conflict passed in the mind of the guilty one. His appetite greatly desired the intoxicating draught, yet a feeling of laudable pride triumphed over the temptation. He sat down the glass, with its contents untasted, and laying the usual price of the liquor beside it, hastily walked out of the house towards the gentleman who stood waiting for him.

This friend, who seemed to possess something of the wisdom of a serpent, blended with the harmlessness of a dove, did not appear to notice the mortifying position in which Mr. Johnson was placed, but walking quickly

towards him, he passed down the steps leading from the hotel, proffered his hand with a feeling of cordiality which · was cheering to the spirit of the self-condemned man.

I am glad to find you thus early;' said Mr. Sumner, the friendly gentleman. You are the very person I wished to meet this morning.'

'Have you any particular business with me?' inquired the other.

Mr. Sumner was prepared to respond to such a question, for he had that very morning contrived a plan, which he hoped would divert the thoughts of Mr. Johnson from the exhilarating cup.

'I have particular business with you;' replied this anxious and kind friend, at the same time turning towards the home of the other, and asking him to walk with him. 'I wish you to make one of a social party, which is expected to leave this place to-day for the purpose of going on an excursion of pleasure, and I hope of profit, a few miles into the country.'

'I do not feel like seeing company at all to-day,' said Mr. Johnson, therefore I must decline accepting your kind invitation, at the same time thanking you for the friendly notice you have taken of me.'

'Do not try to excuse yourself from becoming one of this party,' answered Mr. Sumner. I shall not consent,' continued he, playfully, to allow your feelings to prevent you from going with us, for we cannot get along without you. You are suffering, somewhat, physically, I know, but I believe the contemplated excursion will greatly benefit you.'

'I think you must excuse me to-day,' rejoined Mr. John

son.

6

'No, no,' said his friend, you cannot be excused. I shall feel greatly disappointed if you do not go with us.'

As they drew near the dwelling of Mr. Johnson, he told Mr. Sumner he would be obliged to stop in the neighbourhood on an errand.

'Cannot you postpone this call until another time?' inquired his friend; I assure you, if you would do so, it would be very gratifying to me.'

Mr. Johnson labored hard to offer reasons for stopping at this time, but his friend, who dreaded the consequences of his doing so, as he would thus lose sight of him, was so importunate that he should return directly home and prepare for their excursion, that he could no longer refuse, without being absolutely rude and wounding the feelings of Mr. Sumner; therefore the unhappy man concluded to comply with the wishes of his friend. They both walked directly to the residence of Mr. Johnson, where the guilty husband was met by his wife in a manner that would lead him to suppose that the affair of the preceding night had been quite forgotten.

Mr. Sumner made known his intentions to Mrs. Johnson, and was very urgent that herself and companion should join the little party. This judicious lady gladly accepted the invitation to accompany her husband, and expressed so much anxiety to go, that he was constrained to go with her. The friendly gentleman then hastily engaged a few of their acquaintances to join them, and very soon the company were on their way to a most delightful spot, which they had chosen as their rural resort. Mr. Johnson was melancholy for a while, but ere many hours had passed, he became interested in the cheerful society by which he was sur