Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-04-29
twas no, witbu, trembling tina. he frs,

Sc, foot in Their house. Such, howev-
er, was the reception he met with, that
his heart was soon at case. He was
handsome andgenteel, OF pleasing adj
dress, and an engaging countenance. An
excellent understanding was soon con-
spicuous, withthe abilities equal to the
most difficult ,ffairs. Opportunities too
occurred, in which his integrity unknown
j to him, was put to the proof, and re-
manned inyiolaA. His sensibility was
manifested on several occasions and
the delicacy of his sentiments was ever
more apparent in his actions, than in his
i conversation. These excellent quail
ties soon gained him Nhe esteem of his
Two masters |; and that esteem was soon
ripened into friendship,
But his conduct, while it obtained the
esteem OF Honorius, renewed his paren-
tai sorrows. He compared this excel
lent youth to the unhappy son he had
lost, and wept at the comparison. Ha-
btuated now to open his whole heart to
Ludovicus, he one day mentioned to him
this inexhaustible source of his grief.
las. my dear friend" said he, my
life alone can terminate my grief. had
once a son-but all fathers are not happy.
You tell the you depiore the loss OF an
affectionate father. 0 cruel singularlty
OF fate! That father is no more who
might have beer happy in beholdlng the
virtues OF such a soD-and IL, alas
slilI live" AT hese words he affection
a,ely pressed his hand and believed it
with tears. The emotions oil Ludovlcus
may be better conceived than described.
Wnh difficulty could he keep his secret /;
but he was apprshensive oil losing all his
merit by premature discovery: and
he did not think he had yet merited his
pardon.
In the mean time, the affairs OF the
two friends turned out more prosperous
ly ever since Ludovicus had entered
their service ana they were too gene
rous to conceal from HIM, that !, was ow :
ing to his management. They even
thought II their duy TO reward his sersi-
ces, and admitted him into the partner
ship. THIS fovor flauered LudovlCus,
not so much as a means OF advancement,
as testimony and pledge OF friendship
that was dear and precious to him.
Some days after, the indlsposition OF
Honorius alarmed all his tenderness,
and placed his sensibility in the most en-
dearing light. Every moment that he
was no, Obliged to give 10 the counting
house, he attended near his fathers bed.
On the pretence that he understood some
thing OF physic, he prepared himself all
medicines ma, mad Deeb ordered, aud he
would suffer no one else to present them.
He attended his father every day; he
watched him in the night; and had his
indlsposition lasted long, he must have
been taken i'll himself with fatigue and
grief. This tend.r behaviour could not
but augment the affection OF Honorlus,
who would scarce allow him 10 leave him
a moment. Sometimes he would affec-
tionateIy regard him, and excalm, alas !!
why not Heaven permit me to be your
father :" He would relate the misCon-
due, of his son. This relation punished
STATIONS Of friendship that accompanied
soon consoled him, How often was he
upon the point OF discovering himself
but fear as often restrained. No., SAID
he, " let me remain what am, since
am thus happy, and why should l recall
what have been, when would lain tor
get it myself? have the esteem and
friendship OF my father; aud why should
| hazard both Ludovicus is esteemed
and beloved: Frederick, perhaps, would
himself for the chagrin OF not being able
to call Honorius his father, by paying
him al the duties OF son. Such was
the life he led; a peaceful and happy
life, which his hear, preferred to ali the
eiddy and tumulluous days which had
rendered him SO culpable.
But his heart although changed, was
not become iDsenslble. Ludovicus saw
and conversed TOO often with Marianne,
not to be captivated by such an Assem-
blage of personal and mental charms,
He had endeavored TO stit1e this passion
IN is infancy; but how vain was the at
tempt, when he was Obliged to behold
the object lba, could rekndle it al sim
gle glance ! Besides, not the conscious.
ness alone of what be really was, contri-
buted to cmbolden him, but Ftorio had
often given him 10 understand that he
should not be displeased to 6nd him
agreeable to his daughter. Tins was
sufficient to encourage heart, less sus-
ceplible than his OF the soft impression
OF love, and Ludovicus, accordingly, in
dulged the delightful idea that such a
nassion and such an object could inspire.