Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-07-26
MISCELLA NY.
The following Tale was written by one oftle mos
highly gifted Poets in America.
CONFESSION OF A CONVICT.

am the only son of reputable and
wealthy parents. Early in life / enter
ed into a mercantile house in New. Y ork
for the purpose ofacquiring knowledge
of the business, preparatory to commence
ing on my own responsibility, a mercan-
tile career. At this time | was eighteen,
and had but recently returned from my
academic studies in New-Haven.. My
person, at that early period was good; my
mind polished by education, and my man
ners, If not graceful were. easy. l was
glad Of heart and ambitious Of distinction
eager for the reputation Of integrity,
and an enthusiastic in my admiration of
genius. My associates were reputable
and the sons Of geRtlemen-the prospect
before me was excellent, and my lie
glided onward like placid stream.
Twas within few weeks Of my nine
teenth birth day, that bee anne acquaint-
ed with Amelia Montfor She was a
being Of perfect virtue, Of transcendent
beauty, and Of uncommon mind-and had
an eye for the beauties of nature, and Il
soul for the spell Of pocsy. She was
three years my junior; her beauty rather
in blossom than bud, aud her intellect
more remarkable for its gift Of imagina-
tion, than for its power. She had ming
led little in society-knew less of the
hearlessness Of mankind-and her heart
was the temple of enthusiastic and ar
dent, but Of hallowed feelings.
For myself, ! had mingled much in
female society; and had pressed many "a
thin rcd lip" and bowed before many a
rich dark eye. But Amelia was a glad
creature, "girl in gentleness," and a
"high souIed woman" in dignity; and
when she elected admiration, il was even!
blended with esteem. Mingled in her
teI,rperameni, ui-v, there was a tinge OF
romance-it was the romance rather OF
devoted feeling, than Of affected senti-
ment; and even when her affections were
boarded up in the sanctuary Of her own
pure bosom, she acknowledged their
burning inte nsity, and confessed the idol
airy which would mingle in her love. In
brief, Amelia became the beau ideal of
my fancy, and ere l knew her many
months, was her worshipper.
My thoughts were all bound up in the
frenzy of my feelings-afiect,on had i'm
parted to my character new tinge, and
my habits another current. In my con-
munings with that being, l was supreme
ly happy. There was an enchantment
in the very atmosphere she breathed-l
my dreams caught their delrious raptures
from her memory, g. my waking thoughts
dwek constantly upon Amelia. She was
worthy of all my regard-worthy Of all
my devotions-and every hour seemed
but to unfold some estimable trait in her
character.
When i was twenty years Of age we
were married. My father relinquished
bis business in my favor, and life glided
on for another year, all sunshine and
happiness. Il
By this time, had gone out more fre-
lusntly TO mingle with the worId-be-
:ams Interested in politics and tbirsted
or power. Twas engaged in a lucrative
mercantile career-my family was inHu-
initial, and my aid readily accepted, IT,
'ot courted, by the willy and perfidious
pinions Of Office. Gradually became
seply interested in political warfare
radually i forgot the spell Of my wiie's
irtue and affections, and, gradually,