Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-05
iMISCIEIANE.
THE SEDUCER.

Church bell, as Eose Melroy passed it
She had been to party; and owing L
he scarcity Of beaux, and not having
one of her OVID, poor girl, she was obiig
ed to return 30 her home alone. She
had passed the church but u few steps
when drunken man staggered agains
her, and h;ckupped out the ques ion
Hiss, shall wait upon you home"
Terrified, and scarcely able to speak
she replied in the negative, aud moved
forward with accelerated pace. II,
was not satisfied with this, but repeated
the question; observing that she mus, be
fatigued, and had better take his arm
Which theory he attempted to put int,
practice. She screamed loudly for help,
when gentleman stepped up, and with
one blow laid the drunkard sprawling on
the pavement, ard politely offered to at,
tend her safely home. Fearful that she
should again be insulted, she gladly ac-
ceptcd his offer. In the course of their
walk he made several. attempts to draw
her into conversation; but she was not
one OF the talking sort. She was rather
a pretty girl than otherwise, Of modest,
retiring di.~ osition; fitted rather to adorn
The domestic circle, than TO figure in the
great world; rather TO slime with calm,
Steady !igat, than 10 burst upon the be-
ho.der in a blaze Of eifulgence, and then
sink into comparative obscuri'y. In q
short time they arrived at her house,
and she requested him to walk in. lie
did SO; and as he entered the room, he
observed middle-aced lady swith spec
tacles on nose sitting by the fire, and
apparently reading the bible. Rose
spoke, and said, Mother, this gentleman
has this evening had the generosity TO
rescue me from the power OF drunkard,
aud the kindness to wait upon me home;'
and turning 10 the gentleman, continued,
Some acknowledgement should certain
ly be made to you for the trouble to
which you have been, and she could
say no more; her full heart overaowed,
and tears Of gratitude raiacd down her
cheek. He gently soothed her, and said
lac took no pride to himself for what he
had done--he had but listened to the
dictates of his heart; but as she appear
ed to be so Uery grateful, he knew of a
reward which was in her power to be-
stow. She eagerly asked him to name
it. One kiss from your pure cheek,
was sreply. She arose, blushing, and
advancing towards him, offered him that
check which had never before been pres
scd by strangers lip. He accepted
the proflcred boon, and, rising from his
seat, begged leave to call again, which
was cheertully granted him.
At his next visit he b. came acquaint-
cd with Roses father, who was absent
when he was there before. he was a
plain, good-hearted man ignorant Of
the many schemes Of vilainy which are
every day carried on in the world, and
believed every one else to be as good
and as honest as himself The stranger
continued his visits for time, and the
mother observed that he embraced every
opportunity of being alone with Rose
W this, she <wno was person Of more
penetration than her husband) was sus-
picious; and one evening, when they
we're all assembled in the room, venturcd
10 ask the gentleman his name. lie
started, looked confused, aud observed
hat he should certainly have given them
hiS name before, had he not thought It a
breach ofpo'teness to do so without be-
lng asked My name,' said he, lis
Dennison.' The mother appeared salts
lied with this; but, after he had gone,
look occasion to give her daughter warn
ing. Eose,' said she, you must be on
your guard against this Donnison; fear,
from appearances, that he is too much q
man Of the world, to confer favour on
any one, without requiring IFS full equiv
alent. l therefore, caution you to be-
ware OF hun; you know not what his in
tcntions are; he may have design upon
yon.' Certainly, mother,' replied she,
il thought there was any thing to fear
| should avoid him; but do knew what
his intentions are; he has offered to mar
ry me;-a-, that is 10 say, promised to
marry me- And you have accepted
that promise,' (said the mother, with a
groanD lost, ruined girl Rose cas-,
down her eyes in confusion. surely
mother, be has said nothing improper to
me,' said sho, sobbing. "Well, return.
|ed Mrs. Melroy, 'sinco things are nc
worse, we will even put stop to then
where they are; and | must desire you
| to forbid him tho house the next time he
darkens these DOORS 'Oh! mother, dc
not, do not chargo me with SO disagree
able, so ungrateinl message to my be-
! neiactor; | cannot deliver it. What
forbid him the privilege of calling to see
me, who saved me from the brutality D
drunkard, aud who has such honoura
Die intentions towards mel No, never