Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-26

| dignity and, above all, her fervent
piety and stedfast principles, in time
enabled her to conquer all Of weak
ness in her heart for the unworthy
object who had so long occupied the
first place in her affections. And
though she could never regard him
with dislike or indifference, she even
tually regained her tranquility, and
could think and speak of him as of an
erring yet still dear brother. She
persuaded me to discover if possible,
TO what place Leslie had Withdrawn,
as it was her wish to screen him and
his wife from those miseries in which
his imprudence was but too likely to
involve them. From many circum-
stances, we were led to believe that lie
had not, as he said was his intention,
left America. For some time my in
quiries were to no purpose; at length
l learned that they had gone TO a town
about fifty miles distant, and that Les
lie was in the practice of his profess
ion. This intelligence greatly reliev-
ed Clara's mind, and aided not little
to the restoration OF her tranquility.
She now felt convinced, that the wo-
man Leslie had married, possessed
far greater degree Of influence over
him, than she ever could have hoped
for, and that sincere affection for his
wife would lead to his entire reforma-
ton. For some time we heard no
more Of him. About eight months
since, business calling me 10 the vicin-
ity of the town where Leslie had resid-
ed, ! could not forbear renewing my
enquirers concerning him and the re-
suit was such as | had anticipated
(for l had never believed, with
Clara, that in marrying he had acted
from principle, but rather from some
sudden impulse Of resentment at our
interference or from pique at the
conditions Clara had proposed; or
from some other motive not more
praiseworlhy.) ! learned, in short,
that he neglected his business, and be-
come involved in debt; that his wife,
though gentle and amiable, was total
ly destitute of mental energy, and in
capable Of eXertiou-and that her pas
sivc acquiesence in his follies, had
contributed rot little towards his in
volvcment; and, finally that they
had cluded the pursuit of his creditors
by removing, and the place Of their
present residence was unknown. |
forbore TO communicate this intelli-
gence to Clara, as knew it would
give her much uneasiness. and she re-
NAMED tranquil in the belief that Les
lie was happy in the perseverance of
his duty, and in mutual a0ec,ion.-
About four months since, purchased
this estate for a summer retreat, and
we removed here, accompanied by
Clara.
"One evening, when we had resided
here about month Clara was walking
alone, about sunset; she strayed by ac-
cident, into a narrow unlrequented
lane, and seated herself OH a stile to
rest. The cottage, to which you saw
me conduct her, stands at the termina-
ton Of that lane, and Clara saw very
young child playing near the door,
The child directed its aimless ramble
towards the place where she sat, and,
on her attempting to caress him, he
ran away but his speed was greater
than his skill in running-he fell and
Clara fastened to lift him from the
ground, and soothe his cries. She
carried him towards the cottage, and
the boy soon grew reconciled to her,
and suffered her 10 carcss him. On
reaching the house, Clara saw no per-
son to whose care she could commit
the child; she ventured to knock, and
no answer being returned, she entered
the dwelling, for she felt unwilling to
leave the child, uncertain whether there
was any one near to take charge of
him-his beautiful countenance had
engaged her attention, and she could
not withdraw her eyes from his fea-
lures, as he pulled her by her dress to
an inner apartment. A female was
sitting weeping;beside bed, OH which
lay another person; Clara had not time
to retire, before the female, hearing
the voice and step ofthe child, looked
up: and on seeing stranger, uttered
an exclamation of surprize. Clara
attempted TO apologize for her intrus-
ion, when the invalid, raising his head,
4 !.