Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-09-16
TIE First ERROR.

Mary Conway wa. the flower of her father, family
She was young, and well do remember that she was
bc3utiul-nost beautiful There is object beneath
the sunnothng in this wide world, full it is of al
urements, rich it in glorious promises, and golden
hopes and spirit stirring Dreams that burns into the
heart IKE the fresh vision of young angelic loneliness
III the hey day of the passions There is something so
pure, and innocent and holy. i'll the mild lusre of her
eye; something heavenly the soft and gentle smile
that plays upon her cheek and lips; much ethereal
graceiuness IN her FORM many attractions round her.
that 1t seems TO beholiing intelligence from the
courts above would bend moment TO contemplate and
consider before he few the eternal throne 10 enter the
crime OF doatry againt her youthful worshpper in the
moment that he lost the recollection of his creator in
gazing upon her. look back through mist Of years,
ou sec no objcc; beyond more distinctly than Mary
Conway.
She married early in Youth advantagcously and hap
ply IN age and fortune her partner entirely suita
ole FOR her. their minds too similar; above the
binary cast, finely moulded full of sensibity deCacy
and spirit. And the morning of their matrimonial life
wore every presagc of long, and delightful and quiet
day oi JOY. If it seemed bright to others, il seemed
douoy so TO them and lost in the penitude of their hap
plness, they forgot, if had entered their minds,
how much care and caution what watchuDcss and for
oearance what kindness and prudence, necessary
10 secure the peace and tranquility they now enjoyed.
Love does not burn always with the brightness of
hrst light but 1t often grows more deep, sincere aud
uDchang,ng time rolls The feelings remain
tender and susceptible, after the shield that protected
them from every unkd word act has been broken.
The business in which they were engaged was pros
porous one, and Henry of business ndustri-
ots attentive and intelligent. Every one who spoke
of them, prophesied that they would speedily realize
splendid Independence. They were the pride of the
village But how small matter sometimes gives an
unexpected direction the fortunes of Kingdoms cities
and individuals? 1t happened, one afternoon several
months, after her marriage, thai Mary had little tea
party, at which several of the marons of tue village
were present, and as is often the long and learn
Cd dissertation of the of managing husbands had
oeen gwen, alternately, by and another husbands
anu prudent wives knew what such amount to, and of
how much value they to young housekeepers. Uu
fortunately Henry returned in the evening atigued and
weary in both body and mind with the abours of the
day, and took his seat at the table. His favore dish
was not there. He enquired for it in stvle that pcr-
haps, savored little of reproach; was unntcnona
Mary in the presence OF her selfconsttutcd pre-
ceptors; she ashamed appear too submissive be.
tore them and besides her feelings wounded by her
husbands nanuer she replied she thought spirited
"; 1t was really harsh. Henry cast single glance
across the table pushed back his plate and rising left
the ROOM TWAS the first error. They were both SEN
sbe Of it in moment; but who should make the first
concessIon where both were plainly wrong? As Hen
~ walked down the street engaged in unpleasant me-
nitations and enveoPing himself in the gloom bright
int from the upper windows OF the village attract
ca ms notice; he stepped OVER party Of CAV Young men
were about sitting down to suppes they urged him to
]on the club the temptation under the circumstances of
the case was all powerful Supper over he DELAYED a
ii'e longer and little longer, and little longer tax
ing MS leave; liquor introduced and he drank; mu
sic came next, and cards followed; though he did not
Ioin in the last, he looked the games without abhor
rence-the dread he had been brought up in of evil had
been broken.
Returning late at night his spirits heated with wine
and the recollection IF his wfe' behaviour before him
ne found her retired and passed the night in another
room. The morning brought cool meeting, the forna!
interchange OF few words, and parting without ex-
piaration complaint. The seed of discomfort was
sown; 1t bore the fruit that might be expected. His
nome was no longer the centre of attraction TO Henry
fis tavern companions were gay, good humoured and
atFhc tive, and he left the ircsdo of his own mansion
which no longer wooed him zeaIousy and powerfully
as the ae-houSe club, of which he was loon the yery
centre and hte The second error was committed
though unseen by their friends dark cloud DOW
orooded over the fortunes of our Young couple 1t rath
cred blackncss until perceptibe every eye and when
1t burst carried ruin and desoation with il. Driven
to the dangerous company fdsspated fashionable men,
Henry contracted all their babitshe became drunk
ard and gambler. The domestic circle was deserted
and ITS obligations forgotten. Mary met her hus-
bands hashness and fahlessness with reproaches and
bitterness they both began error and continued So
hese occasoned loud, and long, and violent collisions;
fearful example thus set before their children
who grew d1sobedlent, violent. and passionate And
though for many long years the impending bolt of ruin
was stayed Just above their heads at last il sped
Henry died lingering and awful death: His estate
was found to he insoyen his children grew UP TO ruin;
and Mary, the once beautiful, enchanting Mary Con
way, ended her life IN poverty and obscurity Thus
fatal IN sdTect and natural an error
single error the offspring rather of accident than in
tention leave the moral for others TO trace out aud
apply. Trenton Emporium