Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-04-11

wife very wisely accommodated her desires to
her husbands means, an he loved her ten times
mue for it. Frequentlythey had to go without
ia dinner for the want the ready to pay the
buther and the baker-uch is the fate of genius.
The ready Wi and hmor of Edgar gave him
la passport to the first cicles; for many a purse
prou parsonage, While he loves to mark the
brightest scintiatioRs of genius, little recks the
grleft that is cracking the heart-strngs of the
being from whom they eminate. He received an
invitation from a Southern nabob to dine, which
was, . course, aceepted.-His wife asked him,
las he odssed himself for the feast with an appe.
tite wei whetted, if he would think of her while
he sat a HE sumptuous table? The hint was
broad enough: Edgar kissed her care worn
cheeks, While blush mantled his own, and told
her he void not forget her.
All things yenton moothly-southerners are
noble hosts, thy know we'll how to cater for hun
CRY guests. The tabh was richly ladened with
viands of various kne Edgar's jokes gave a
zest to the whole, and, ad it not been for one
malapropos, the compay might have separated
grateful to the host al delighted with the hu-
morist. But there wamortifcaton in store for
Edgar, and, in fact fohe whole company.
AS the champaign VS. gong Its merry rounds
and as all hearts was lie with glee, the steward
informed the host thatwo of his massv table
spoons were missing, I'd, that the walters had
all been searched, and nat the articles could not
| he found oent}epsh irlmedltitviJ rt~F~~sa
that each one preseK should .e searched-but
the host most positiyYy decline6-he had too
much respect for his fifnds--he could not for
moment suspect any gdtleman present. But it
would not do, the colpany insisted on being
searched, and the hostproceeded reluctantly 10
the task. After examining the pockets of sever.
! al; he came to Edgar, d whose visage the white
and red might be seeA alternately coming and
going.
excuse me, Mr.. snclair-but it is the wish
of the conpany.o
"I-l-l-cannot lie searched, MIR. b. -
retorted Edgar, coloriAg highly,-'my standing
in society should place me above suspicion-and
| assure vSi, on my h9nor as gentleman, l have
not got thu spoons.
A slight murmur went round the table, and
Mr.. B." seemed ve,y much agitated. ooh
come, cdne Sinclair said gentleman. ~ gu
c. rtain would not be singular in this case
turn yoir pockets inside ou''
"Wlbn l need your advice sir, shall ask it,"
repliedEdgar, coorng still more deeply 81
cannoisubmt to the search-it is thing am
not usd to--though l fssure you all, gentlemen,
on my honor, know nthing of the spoons.''
! Al en'reaties were ,havalling, Edgar would
not allow his pockets to b touched; and he there
fore stood accused of thahef- Taking his hat
and cane, aud most busting over his wounded
pride, though he endeavdred with all his might
not to expose the contestpf feeling raging in his
bosom, he walked firmly b the door, and bowling
to me company retired. When he entered the
street his feelings found ent, and he burst into
tears-his honor stigmtized-his reputation
rained forever. His wiflreceived him with her
usual kindness; but he ieeded her not; he re-
tied to bed and passed anight more of phrenzy
than of repose.
In the morning he received note from MIR.
i, desiring his Immediate attendance, at
his loase. Thifher Egar went, conscious of
his innocence, and prepared to divulge his secret.
Veil me-" said MI B, taking him
kindly by the hand, ''tel me sincerely, why you
reius'd to be searched last evening, when the
IcomPny proposed it?--f did not believe you
guilty at the time, and my belief has since been
verIhd-the spoons we're thrown into the yard
by areless servant who shook the cloth with
out examining it. Speak to me with confidence,
haveever thought you an honorable man.
Ate several struggles between pride and du-
ty, Edgar replied
"Yor dsinterested generosity, sir, commands
my admiration; and am not ashamed to confess
TO you TINT have abused your liberaity. am
poor, slr--miserably poor-at your table stated
myself with luxuries-- thought of my wife, who
had not had dinner for two days. A tempting
leg Of a turkey lay on the dish, l thought it no
harm, you mighthave given it to your dogs-so
| silly slipped it into my handkerchief, and de-
posted it in my pocket. Judge of my mortif-
cation, sir, when thegentleman proposed that we
should be searched tr the spoons-my poverty
and meanness to be hposed-It was more than
my pride would bear, and refused-for, would
rather be accused ofrobbing the mail, than be
guilty of embezzlingthe left leg Of a turkey"
JOSEPH CFIARLESS & SON,