Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-08-06
AND ANGELINA.
CONTINUED


Lorenzo soon after met her at a party,
where her name seemed entirely altered, she
talked and laughed, danced and played as
merrily as the most jocund Of the company
but now and then she cast her eyes toward
Lorenzo and then a shade of me meanchoy would
cross her fair brow and her speech became
tremulous. He once or twice addressed her but
she answered him with monysyllables and a
downcast eye. He was surprised at this show
of marked disrespect, and partly resolved new
er to intrude himself into her society again.
He was charmed with her wit and vivacit
but as be had never seen such person before
he did not know how to appreciate her
worth.
Several weeks passed, during which, Loren
20 saw no Angelina. But, in that time his
name had been blghted, his character traduc-
ed, and himself stigmatized by the names of
Infidel, free thinker, prodigal. rake, SC. In
short he had become " town talk" and eve
ry sober viilager thought he deserved to be out
lawed or driven into the forest.
He frequently heard OF the anathemas pro-
nounced against him; but could never bring
his enemies to the field. His open, ingenious
and gentlemanly demeanor obtained for him
the respect OF every one whom be met, and
none presumed to lash his character until his
back was turned, when the tongue Of scandal
is Immediately employed-but who could look
upon that open manly brow and calumniate
him who bore itl His presence always dispeI-
led the mist and clouds which had gathered
during his absence, and even while his foes ha-
ted, they respected and feared him.
Lorenzo was well acquainted with the opn-
ions and the character of Mr.. Williams. He
knew him to be rigid sectarian. Of the Pres
byterian order, one Of those who are denomi-
ted hot calvinsts. He naturally came to q
conclusion that the influence he maintained
over his daughter had given her a prejudice
against the object Of his prescription. and Lo-
renzo was not one Of those tame and insnu-
ating spirits who think their friends need no
attention, but that their foes should be sought
and won over to their interests-he possessed
a soul of feeling, and he knew how TO be CRATE
full but where he was confronted with oppo-
sition, his temper betrayed an unusual degree
Of irritability.
1t happened about this time that Lorenzo had
some business TO settle with man whose fam
ly was intimate with that of Mr. Williams
On calling at his house, the gentleman was
about leaving home-he told Lorenzo he should
return in few minutes, and begged him to
enter the parlour and be seated, until he was
ready to attend to him. Lorenzo took seat
in the parlor, but soon heard voices in an ad-
joining room; and as the door stood ajar, he
distinctly understood all that was said. He
perceived himself to be the subject of their
conversation. His character was handled
very roughly-every vice was ascribed to him
charity was forgotten; and torrent Of un-
resisted vituperation was fast sweeping him to
perdtion, when suddenly the voice of Angelina
Williams met his ear. In strain Of eloqucnce
which would have charmed a stole, she advo-
Gated his cause. Every argument, every plea
was urged in his defence. For a moment the
voice Of slander was hushed.
As Angelina in her reckless ardour maintain
ed the cause Of the injured absent, il seemed
as though conviction was about to fash upon
the minds Of the hearers; when a new speaker
took up the subject in opposition TO the lovely
advocate. This was tall young man, Of sal
low complexion-a wanderer up and down the
earth-a hawker Of Missionary mag gazines, ser
mons, &c. This gallant knight Of the green
spectacles felt his ire kindle, as Angelina do
Tended the champion Of heterodoIy, and at
length burst forth in such abusive terms, as
would have shocked all the company, had he
not been called religious man, and one who
wore spectacles. In the flow Of his zeal. he
arose, and held his elenched 6s, so near TO
Angelina, that sho was fain to shrink little
back out Of the reach Of his meta carpus.
Lorenzo kindlsd st this. He started up, end