Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-07-21

desire Of being beloved, had its full in
fiuence on the generous souls Of Bran
don and Clara, and from that moment
life wore brighter aspect, and each be-
came the charm Of the others existence.
Cynics may snarl at the idea, but there
is no period in the life of man so fraught
with pure unalloyed happiness "a the
hours devoted to youthful love. What
man in the decline Of life does not look
back upon that one sunny spot III his eX-
lstence with melancholy regret that
those happy days and hours have fled
forever! That one bright vision of fyouth,
seen through the telescope oitime, forms
the groundwork of all other rctrospcc-
tions. Lord Byron, whose whole heart
was given to love, fixes the end Of the
age Of romance at thirty-five, but the
age of remembrance and regret lasts till
the grey mists OF years have silvercd
the head Of man.
Old Howland was reported to be very
wealthy in consequence Of his brothers.
death, who, it is said had left him sole
heir TO his vast estate To the exclusion
of his own son, the young Henry Bran
don, who was named in honor of a rela-
tive, and who lived with his uncle How
land. Old Howland was considered, by
the vulgar, very pious and godly man,
but, by the more intelligent and dis
cerning, he was shrewdly suspected of
being a most egregious hypocrite. He
was at any rate a bachelor, and his
white household consisted only of HIM
self and his nephew.
The acquaintance of Brandon and
Clara soon ripened into intimacy. Know
ing the disposition and predictions of
the parents of Clara, they were under
the necessity of keeping their intimacy
secret, and of meeting in clandestinc
manner. The grove at the foot of the
garden was the place of interview, and
often, when all were wrapped in slum-
ber, she stole from her chamber to that
spot, and in the moonlight awaited with
anxiety the we'll known step of her be-
loved Brandon. And, as often as she
awaited him, as often came the ahec-
tlonate and enthusiastic devotee. In the
summer-house they sat engaged in maxi
ing VOWS and plans until the moon had
gained her zenith, and the star of eve
sunk below the horizon. The time, the
place, the circumstances, under which
they met, and the charm which romance
threw over, all bound their youthful souls
eternally to each other. Six months of
charming spring and summer passed a.
way, and yet no eye had seen their
meeting; and no ear drank the warm
words Of love that had flowed from their
lips.
The Summervilles, who had long con-
sidercd old Rowland to be Saint of the
first order, had, also, long looked with a
greedy eye upon his wealth, and had
long hoped that he would become a suit
er for the hand Of one of the Miss Sum-
mervilles. Unknown to them he had
bowed at the feet Of Miss Clara, but she
repused him with disdain, and for time,
extinguished his ardor. Unconscious
that his nephew possessed the affections
Of Clara, he renewed the fort with no
better success than formerly. The high
minded girl plainly told him that the age
Of fifty did not correspond with sixtecn,
and that, if he were even shorn of half
his years, he could not be the man of
Ter heart. Stung with disappointment,
le flew to old Summervile, and opened
o him the treatment he had received,
Who, was delighted beyond measure, at
he prospect OF uniting the fortunes Of the
wo families. On receiving the positive
assurance that he would intercede for
lim, and even have things ordered at his
command, old Rowland departed, grin
ming with delight at the idea of possess
ING 80 charming, so lovely creature.-
Poor fool, what pleasure could her hand
afford whose heart would be forever es-
ranged. The old lady Summerville,
vas so enrapturcd at the thought of her
daughters good fortune, that she imme-
liately fell into fit of the laughing hy-.
'terics, and only recovered from one
'aroxysm to relapse into another.
"Dear me, only to think" said the
bid lady, while her fat sides shook with
leIight, "what splendid style she will
i've in with her piano and sideboard, and
sofas and Turkey carpets, and then,
when she wishes to go abroad, there will
DC nothing to do but call out the coach,
md four, ha, ha, ha! Oh, ha, ha, hal.
never was so happy. Dear ne, my
lear, do go and speak to Clara"
Away went old SummcrviIle, to Clara's
as fast as the gout would per-
nit, to convey the happy intelligence,
having no doubt, hut that she would snap
It the bait like sturgeon. Out of breath
,e blabbed the purpor Of old iowand's
'isit, but was woeirlly disappointed when
lara dropped the novel from her hand
-nl hur.t into tonrc hnr e.,l.. ....-.....