Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-12-07
For the Constantine Republican.
A FRAGMENT.

~ would not live this life again for all the
joys that Heaven itself bcstows. Long, ah! too,
long, lave lnbored with the sad vicisitudes of
human affairs. Many are the dangers have
encountered. and yet oh madness, have gained
nothing" This was tho language of a young
naid-hpman. as no walked along the shores of
ly fixed on the sand that left an impression
wherever his foot was placed. William N
was young man, born of respectable parents,
and Of parents who had endeavorsd to instruct
him in useful knowledge to guide his tender
mind, while yet in its infancy, in the ways of
happiness and truth. His father was resident
in small village in Western New York, and a
man of considerable wealth. William vas a boy
Of uncommon mind. and it was noticed by his
fond father, and watched with an anxious solici.
tude. He was placed, at an early age, in school
at some distance from his native town, in order
that he might be weaned from home and all
itsjoys. so that he should never be under the nc.
cessity of laboring under that disease common.
ly called home-sickncss."
Here no applied himself diligently to his stud
les, and soon was prepared to enter college in
one of the New England states. Here too he
was distinguished for high literary taste. He
distinguished himself also, for great love of
learning, and polite and gentlemanly behaviour
to his suporiors, his equals, and those under him.
One particular, interesting and commendable
trait in his character, was humanity. Not posses
sed of quarrclsome disposition, he was prompt
in the resistance ef an injury. He was in truth
what many may call young man of honor and
integrity. He graduated from College, loaded
with honors, at the premature age of 10. His
father had intended that he should become pro.
fessional man, and for the purpose il was his in
tention TO place his son in law Office in his
native village, with a man who had greatly dis
tinguished himsclf not only at the bar but in tho
halls Of legislation! But the son was entirely
averse TO the plan Of life and he determined to
make il known to his father as soon as he had
fit opportunity. In pursuance of this determine.
ton he sought private interview with him, and
alter making known his knowledge ofhis fathers
intentions in regard TO him begged of him to alter
them, and not doom him to a life of incessant
trouble and sorrow!
His fa0ler heard him at first with astonish.
ment; but when he asked him to alter his de.
termination, he absolutely turned into the very
image ofrago-his color went and came again,
and he gave fat refusal to all that his son
had said. ,4 frr Es
At first, William stood amazed, to think that
his father should thus seek, at once, to ovcrturn
all his former projects of imaginary gains and
anticipated pleasures. At length, however, he
said (as his spirit became tamely subducd at being
thus thwartod) a. Father, I submit" Hs even
went 20 far Is to say, that his fathers decision
was pleasingto him, inasmuch as he had by this
decision, given HIM an opportunity Of remaining
at homo, near to tho bosom Of his family, and
surrounded by his friends, who all sdorcd him.
o. the Pagan adoros tho idol which he himself
has made.
He thanked his father for thus forcibly, and
against his own will, keeping him at homo, and
placing him in on Office where he might obtain
profession, which would enable him to gair
credit and ronown to himself, and be an honor Il
his friends and glory TO his country. II wei
improved.
II was soon made known TO his friends and I,
The inhabitants Of his town. that the accomplishes