Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-10-11

upon beauteous thing, then leaves it
with coldness and disregard.
have seen him and his fair Ophelia
seated together in tho chaiso, with the
top thrown down back, and the crack of
his whip urging on with the utmost ve-
locity the pace of his noble steed, driv-
ing towards the cottage Of her pareuts
to partake Of tie rural repast prepared
for the young guests, and to spend the
quiet hours Of Sunday in company
with the old people, who were always in
readiness to give them "A hearty welcome.
This was Edwin's favourite retreat, dur
ing the summer season, to wander hand
in hand with Ophelia and pluck the wild
/ flowers which grew spontaneously in
their path. The two !ovors, uncon-
scious Of their future fate, let not day
pass, without enjoying all interview,
and their souls became almost as strong
ly united by their own affection, as the
bonds of Hymen could bind them; but
during those days Of sunshine the storm
was gathering, which would wreck their
londest hopes on the shores OF despair.
The time at length arrived when Ed
win became desirous of changing his
situation in life, and accordingly asked
the consent of his father to be joined
with the fair creature whom his heart
had chosen. The old gentleman unwill-
ing to connect his family with one so
! far inferiour, and knowing that his son
was still under his parental care, as yet
[ knu ho ,,I mi N hn
strongly demonstrated against the too
early proposal of 4" his boy" and at
the same time assured him that he
should never consent to the union Of
him and Ophelia. This sudden and
unexpected denial caused a deep wound
in the heart of Edwin-he tried to speak
but the agonized features Of his counte-
nance plainly told the emotion which it
had occasioned. Returning to his cham
Der in order to collect his scattered sem
ses, he seated himself in a chair, and
leaned his head on the table, in which
manner he passed the night. The harsh
words of his father still sounded in his
ears, and he imagined himself surroun-
ded on all sides by enemies who were
ready to destroy him. The sun arose,
and found him seated in the same pos
ure tn which he had placed himself on
the preceding night, and his swollen
eyes truly indicated, that the shock
which he had received, would in time
provo fatal. lie sailed forth from his
chamber, and met his father, who turn
ed deaf ear to his ontrealics, ,--again
repeating with parental authority the
words which the day before had distres
sed his unfortunate son,-and Edwin
returned dlsconsoiatc to his apartment
where he spent the remainder OF the day
in silent mediation. What was to be
done' He could not 60 to his lovely
Ophella, and proclaim with his own
mouth their destiny-he could not long
continue in his presen! situation. Three
days passed away, and he came to no
concluson-on the fourth, he received
note from her, inquiring the cause ofhis
long absence, and requesting him to see
her the following evening. Driven al
most to despair, he knew not in what
way to give her an answer. Onthe I'M
pulse Of the moment, he sat down and
scrawled few lines, stating the unsuc-
cessful application to his father, and
concluded by saying that business of an
urgent nature would for short time call
him from home. After completing this,
he rushed into the street, and observing
stage ready for departure, Immediately
got into it, without knowing whittier he
was going. In few hours, he found
himself in the midst of large seaport
town; he wandered through the streets
for some time, and at length strolled on
boa7e ship which was getting ready
for sea. Though totally macquainted
with the hardships of seafaring life, he
made application to the captain, as a
sailor, and was readily employed. In
few days the ship set sail, and Edwin
left bis native land, where dwelt all that
he valued on earth. The ship was
bound on trading voyage, oftwo years;
and scarcely had he lost sight Of land
before he began to lament the unwise
step which he had taken. His tender
hands, which till now had not known work
were obliged to labour in common with
others, and his delicate constitution
would scarcely admit of the duty which
was required Of him.
The reception of the letter, and the
sudden departure of Edwin, had most
shocked the feelings Of Ophelia,-and
the effect which it produced was still
greater than that which had induced her
lover to forsake her. A death-like stupor
settled upon her, and sho became at
times partially dcranged. Fears were
now entertained, that she would in fit
Of despair but an end to her unhappy ex-
istence. She could not abide in her
n,fvo land and hahold tho bounts of