Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-04-12
II was at a ball given. five mistake


to Adelaide St. Clair. lie had heard
much of this young lady previously.
She was rcpuled beautiful, hnt dis.
tinguisled more particularly for al
'amiable soul, combined most bewiich.
iugly with naughty carriage and .
sar,a,l.c fcarlesSne,s of manner. In
deed the lcvity Of her disposition, aad
the apparent scorn in which she ap
pcarcd to estimate the opinions oi
mankind. had not contributed malcri-
ally to the advancement OF Adelaide :
reputation for dclicacy. Siandcr IS
ever busy, and upon this occasion had
let forth some of her darkest and most
cnvcnomed shafts. Adelaide Was Il
proud and spirited girl, and although
she cndcavonred to concea! the effect
which these aspcrsions produced upon
her feelings, they ranklcd deeply and
bitterly at her heart, slightly tIngin-
her character with misan.hropIc opin-
sons of Tie world. anI filing her mlnd
with suspicion As to the dnplicily oi
man. Yet her affections were not
readily chilled. and though she guard
ed her heart most icar(uiiy against ANY
| cncroachmcnt upon lis liberties. the
feelings of that heart were fresh, strong
and passionate, and not to be rcguIai-
ed in their outpouring, by the rdlcs OF
worldly philosophy. When Randolph
was introduced to her. >hc was scarce
" sixteen; internally as wild AS ever,
bnt restrained in her actions by the
twilight shadow that caluinny had so
impiously hung upon her fame. lie
had heard of all her eXccsscs, traced
them 10 their proper source End felt
strangely fascinated by the dark pic-
lure Of the young beauty which a
friend had cautiously drawn for him.
II was in the outlines Of that charlc-
ter he saw much that cluns with a
childish fondncss around the early re-
Violations Of his soul, and seemed TO
minglc with a strange anticipation with
The realization of his early vi-io"s.-
Among the first queries which '.e made
respecting Adelaide, was : has She ev-
or loved" lfls friend believed new
er. She had always been considered
hs a coqnctte, or AT least asa beng so
devoted To herself as to be incapable
OF feeling permanent attachment %
another. 1t is well. Randolph replied.
aud determined inwardiy TO woo ,nc
heart Of this wild creature, even IN the
midst OF its girIish rcdnndancics. HIS
acquaintance commenced Immediate
ly. lie visited the family, and soon
became 50 intimate, that they trc 'tcd
him with the privileges of IA child.
Randolph had many enemies, who
did not gaze upon his attentions I"
Adelaide St. Clair. without their u,uit
portion Of calumny being devoted {"
h name. In his earlier hours he had
been wild aud reckless. INDUCED in al
the !iccntionsncss of the times, had
reaped for his reward, the reputation
Of a !ibcrtinc. So Far as he regarded
the opinions of the crowd, he treated
their accusations with contempt. In
deed when the charges were actually
preferred against him, his only vindI-
cation was a snecr Of dISdaIn, and a
proud defiance Of the utmost wrath Of
his accuscrs, "What to me-" he cx-
claimed are The golden opinions of
those scoTn? DO they adj one ,jot
TO the measure ofmy happiness, or do
they dctrac,in the laintest degree from
the purity of my heart? Neither
What | have been, | am wiling to ac
knowledge. What am, or will b.,
fniurity alone may tell. Maa under
AL dispensa!ions Is the creature OF CIR
cumstances. have eyer acted ac-
cording 10 my nature, and in concord
with the feelings Of that nature
Those feelings may have been dictat
ed by false motives, but inasmuch as
! have not been the regulator Of my
own destiny, ! could exercise 40 con-
troll over the desires %! my heart
That | have been si,uer, a yonns.
dark a"d daring sinner is the fa',h Of
my nature. The circumstances of my
iIlc, have kept my heart in IA Constant
icr'nent, the singnlariiy ofmy thoughts
has strangely tnged my propens!lIe,,
and nur,urcd The food Tor the actions
winch the world condemns. My cx.
cesscs have been those ofan indcpcn-
dent spirit. l have not skunk like a
coward amid the resorts of the idioiic
sa'iatc the wan,Oancss Of my pro.
penSitIcs My deeds have been per-
inruru onruIv 'Nno yynrId has lnnk