Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-03-16

did not make her entry for above half an hour When she did appear, how shocked, how sadly grev ed was l, to look upon her.-She as but the spec Ire of her had known; the blooming girl haf
 left, was -, but it is needless to partcularist i-she had become the slave of fashion she had sa crifced herself at its ruthless altar. There was no thng-no, that even my memory, vivid as it was 1T its remembrance of her, could rest upon of Emma Vernon: for changed WAS her appearance, hel manners more altered. She received me with all the elegance, indeed, of the most finished politeness-the most fastidious etiquette could mol have pointed out single fault; but there was nc he0rt in it--it was dead and cold as was herself to every feeling, the expressed one, of iashoh. Icould not bear to witness such wreckof feeling dared not further trust myselfto allude to our for mer intimacy; and l attempted few less exciting questions, although the attempt was answered with no better satisfaction. inquired after her sister but she knew little of her proceedings; of her ch- dren-but they were such plaques, she never per l mitted them to come down, they were best m then nursery. asked after her husband; but she knew | not whether he had gone, or when he would return she seemed to have little interest in anght concern ing him; to care, indeed, for nothing-to feel for nobody.
 was oppressed with bitter regret; l looked earn estly at her in sonowing silence. She started at the sudden pause her eyes for moment met mine but they shrunk from my gaze, and one deep uncon- scous sigh told too surely the desolation that riot | ed within
 hurried from her, my heart was too ful and my feelings still but too imperfecty under my con- 1 trol to risk their further excitement.
 "And is this the envied lot, which the world boasts of as its chieest goods Is this cold nsensbiity to every better feeling-is it, can it be called happi- ness! "ris base prostitution of language to term it such, to call ausht but misery and despair; 1t is | indeed!' But checked the current of my painful reflections as approached the residence of the poor neglected Alicia.
 Her house was, indeed, contrast to that of her sister, it but cottage; and, instead of the l splendid footman whe had there announced me, a woman servant opened the door. But there was m air of comfort, which more than pleased me; there seemed peacefuness around it-an elegance and refinement about its arrangement that delighted me and my first feelings were those of almost envy that it not mine. And then too her reception, there was greater contrast there; it was my own dear | sster-the same warmhearted Alicia that welcomed me-the same wild gentle spirit had known in earliest times She asked anxously after my past weliare-listened with interest to the account of my | proceedings-heard with pleasure of my present comfort; and when alluded to her marriage, the glistening eye,and smiling acknowledgement of her looks, convinced me of her happiness more than her words. She had, she assured me, every bless ing her heart desired It true, indeed that their income was only small-but then, their wishes were also snial-and they were too happy in each others affection, and too well satisfied with that happiness, to desire more.
 II like my dear--," she added, with smiling cheerfulness, ''to be happy in my own way Poor | Emma, indeed,"- sigh accompanied the name
 fancies that happiness is alone to be met with in wealth and fashion, and truly, do hope she finds
 there you know she was always ambitious; but for myself, am sure that my aspirations after qui- etness and retirement. l might have been as rich and as gay Emma, had wished it but did not wish it preferred comparative insgnfcance, with the man loved, and Tn whose everlastng affection
 could confde without fear to all the false gifts of fortune nor am disappointed in the result" | had already spent a delightful hour in her socie ty, when engagement called me away and with
 promise ofsoon repeating my visit, to be introduced | to her husband and again talk over the remembran- of the past took my leave, full of gratifed and happy feelings
 | "Oll, world, world l"-such was my exclamations, | as turned for parting peep at little paradise was uuitting-'thou false idol-thou dcceiving deso- lation alas how do thy votaries, for meetrcious bauble cast away real treasure, and then seek to gild the base cheat, with the tinsel of fegHsd robbcst them by of every native feeling and givest them-what dost thou give them in return r. heart of insensibility-a mere mookery of hap piness "
 Perhaps was somewhat over caustc in my phil ppic-exclted too far by deep and present emotions; and had waited the soothing effect of the good din. ner to which was hastening, might perhaps have viewed this same world with more indulgent feel ing. But like pure unadulterated emotions-they come and free from the heart; and though they may occasionally, be little too fervd they seldom deceive us-nct unfrequenty prove our best and tru- est monitors.
 Happiness, most certainly, is is opinion; and not unlikely, in spite of all that has been said, or that may be said to the contrary each individual will de- eide according to his own experience; but heaven preserve me from the happiness offashion