Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-28
MISCELLANY.
THEODORE HARLAND.
A PREMIUM TALE

Theodore loved! and the vapid tenn
permanent Of his mind, produced by long
habits Of dissipation, suddenly gave way
to the deepest intensity Of excitement.
Satisfied with the gilded cup Of pleasure,
he was chained to her unhallowed
haunts, and unable to break the spell
which bound his morbid faculties. From
this moral incubus-this disturbed leth-
argy of the soul, he was raised by vis-
ion, bright and lovely as the bow of
promise on a stormy sky. Elizabeth
but who shall describe herr The ethe-
rial lightness of her form baffled the
gaze Of scrutiny, aud the beauty of her
features was Of a cast, beyond even the
magic ofthe pencil. twas the radiance
of youth-the impress, of innocence
The seal Of virtue. A halo of light
dwelt around her; folly checked his un-
holy sallies, and vice receded at her ap-
proach. Such was the being who eros
sed the path Of Theodore, at a time
when his bosom was scorched and with
cred with the heat Of uncontrolled and
corrupted passion. She passed over his
soul like clear and healthful breeze,
amidst pestilential vapors. Her voice,
breathing in mellifuous tones the scnti-
ments Of a pure and exalted mind, came
like seraphic music on an ear sickened
with the syren strains Of dissipation.
Man is being of inconsistency
Theodore loved Elizabeth for the purity
Of her character, but needed not the
stains that marked his own. He ap-
preached her with hope; he addressed
her without embarrassment. The gra-
ces Of his person met the dark eye of
the maiden, and she listened to his con-
versation with competency. The Ian
guage Of Theodore assumed new tone.
Chaste and elevated, il was fit even for
the car Of Elizabeth. Yet the soul of
Theodore vas above deception, and hy-
pocrisy had never deepened the shades
Of his character. Who has not felt the
sublimating influence of that hour, when
the curtains Of night are drawn on the
silent world, and the moon filings her
silver light over the quiet scenei Such
was the presence Of Elizabeth; such
was the mystic spell, so pure, so holy,
that hushed every passion 10 rest in the
bosom Of Theodore, and called forth
sentiments, exalted as tho Being that
inspired them. Elizabeth heard him
with delight, and believed his soul con-
genial with her own. Succeeding in
terviews confirmed the fatal Illusion
Visions Of bliss float around them, and
the pure heart Of Elizabeth beats high
| at the approach Of the proAigate! 'Tis
past, the value Of deception is rent for
ever. The hand of friend has torn il
rudely away, and the character Of The
odore, wild, dissolute, and ir, eligious, ID
[ delineated to her astonished view. The.
! odore again beholds hee--but the glow
of her cheek is fed, and her eye is lifi.
ed coldly at his approach. What means
this fearful calm, this chilling composurs
Theodore is not formed to endure sus.
pense: he demands his destiny, and the
answer of Elizabeth, gentle, but deci.
sive, blights at once the blossom of pro.
| missed bappiuess. Astounded at the
stroke, as il thundcrbolt had fallen a
his feet, he scarcely believed il real, ant
even yet hope i, not extinct in his heart
Accustomed from infancy to all tho ele
gancies Of affluent life, Elizabeth wa,
the child Of penury. The casualties O
trade had s,ript her father of wealth, anc
she now shared with her family the
homely bread Of industry. 81 will re-
store her TO that sphere in which she
was wont 70 moye," said the impetuou.
! Theodore, and he mentally determined