Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-09-17
MISCELLANEOUS.

n Fortune acknowledgements and
hospitality have always been the lead
ing features in the Southern character
Here, indeed,
Stranger Is aholy name -
And as it generally happens that those
born under burning sun are " extreme
in all things these two good qualities
are carried to excess--if one comes a
mong us, from foreign country
Such is the fact, and too often imposter.
under the garb of gentlemen, witbou
being master of single quality neces
sary to constitute that character, stea
into our families, and rob them Of il:
brightest ornaments. Thousands have
stepped into the area of the world, with
no birth-right but their honor, and won
their way to wealth and fame. When,
therefore, a man, forgetting his nature,
deceives her he is bound to cherish and
protect, by pretending an affection he
does not feel, and will stoop to become
a pensioner for subsistence. contempt
In his just portion. That such Prov
Ter might be known in the community,
he should bear, like the mark of Cain,
5lazoned on his forehead, "Behold q
fortune hunter"
But, to commence my Sketch-a
village near one ofthe capitals, was the
birth place of Joe Tomkins. Of his
parentage, and early years, nothing
need be observed. At the age ofman-
hood he started for the metropolis; en-
igrated on the, sea of commerce, and
fancied nothing easier, than to become
merchant. He was rather awkward
ly formed; his countenance was Of an
effeminate cast, and wore a smile for
every one. His character was imbecile,
and his education was scarcely suffici-
ent 10 fit him for the transaction of any
business. Finding his affairs irretrieva-
BILE, Joseph unused while, and in a
momentary fit of enthusiasm, exclaim-
ed, with ancient Pistol,
"Why, II en-, the worlds mine oyster,
'Which with sword will open.n
Having uttered this chivalric express
sion, he commenced to reflect on the
place he should select for his debut
and the plan to adopt for his advance
ment. When on mature elaboration
ne resolved to seek the shores of Vir-
GINA, confused mixture of anticipa.
tons floated on his brain--amonp
which aplantation held conspicuous
place. Other men, cried Joe,
strutting up to his glass, and viewing
himself with complacent gaze, have
made their fortunes by marriage with
out half my accomplishments, why
should not | succeed2 This face, a.
lobe, where the cheeks project like the
joIe of fat hog, will surely captivate
an heiress, and if | fail, my situation
will be no worse" Thus soiloqusing
Joseph turned from the mirror, fully
persuaded that success would crown
his first efforts. Already the castle,
suspended high in the air, began to de-
scend towards the earth, and he beheld
1t in his "mind's eye," settle in the
midst Of large ,o1ooo, plantation.
But no time could be spared, as his f.
nsnces were daily sinking and in the
course of week, Joseph was on his
way to fortune. Now our hero, altho'
a modest, unassuming looking man,
was endowed with sufliciency of as
surance. Frowns could not repel, cold
ness could not intimidate him. Miss
Sarah Henley was vister in the
neighborhood, and as soon as Joe dis
covered that she possessed an abun-
dance Of the worlds goods, he paid her
his deyoirs. "She will exactly suit
me-, thought Tomkins, as he reclined
In his chat; but, alas, the lady did
not coincide in opinion, and would not
allow herselfto be overcome either bv
MS sighs or protestations.
SO intent was Joe OH his quest after
an he'reSS," that one evening he at
tended ball given by very fastidious
society, and no doubt, to do him JUS
tice, he forgot that the ticket which
gained him admitlance, was the pro-
perry Of another, who was con6ned by
iudisposition. The consequence was
inevitabIe-Mr. Tomkins vas I'M
known, glances were significantly cast
towards him; whispers begar to circu-
late, and by way OF conclusion, one Of
the managers requested him to retire.
Reader, you must know tina. obedience