The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-03-02
From the North american.
A TRUE STORY.

How often do the most triaing circumstances
chnnge the course of life. The game of life is a
lame of hazard--t is lottery luck decides the is
suc spent ball may turn the fortunes of a victo-
rious army. penny may lay the foundation for a
fortune. A word spoken at an unucky moment
may cost friend A look may make enemy.
Deep and burning prejudice is often created by an
incident the most trivial in itself: and where love
held its gentle sway, hate may rule and caDker /;
yes we are the creatures of circumstances the play
things of accident-made by one breath, ruined by
the next
dislike story telling, but there is fact to which
eye witness, that clearly illustrates by what
a feeble thread hangs our destiny.
My friend Tom is a clever feow-not in the
yankee signifcation, which means nothing more
less than fool one that has not self esteem enough
to resent an injury who is a mere machine, with
out wit to discover when he is used, or brains suf
fcent to distinguish when imposed upon, or treated
like man. Tom talented and noble; there
was no cringing, no fwning, no sycophancy, no
deceit; in word, he was gentleman; tall and
commanding, in his high well turned forehead was
traced genius and beauty; he was particular even
to fault, on points of etiquette and refinement Of
manners-atdent in his nature and hasty in his ac-
tions. This was his misfortune. His susceptibility
and warm temperament constantly involved him in
difficulty.
Tom was once engaged to be married to lovely
on the subject of his attachment his tongue flew with
thc rapidity Of trip-hammer; he would run from
one charm to another till worked into fever, and
always concluded wha favorite expression, she is
an angel
One evening having finished a rhapsody, and af-
ter spending extra half hour in adjusting his col
lar, hair coat, sc. he hastened in high spirits to
call upon his intended. Soon however, he returned,
sad and sorrowful. 1t was evident that change
had come over him on that knit brow, that curcd
lip, was traced wounded pride. He SAT- down, sour
and sullen. Bob said he, how singular it is that
some persons can never become tinished-always
something awkward or disgusting to break the en-
chantment-a pretty face without brains-sense
without refinement He relapsed into thoughtful
silence Tom said |, laughing, what has hap
pcned 2 was she out!' mo- WAS any one be-
mo- Did she refuse to singr NO. why
did you leave soon |! Tom said nothing; l per-
severed Does every one act so petulent when in
love = I'm not in love- snapped Tom. You
not in love = said L: Don't you love mss--r
No" said he, loosing all temper, do you think
am fool enough to love girl that spitsl Heaven
deliver me from splitting woman! Saying this
he left the room.-This then revealed the secret
She spit it was a death blow to Toms love he
never saw her afterwards.
Soon after this unfortunate incident, Tom and
myself were on tour through the State One even
ing have retired to my room out of patience at my
friends bad hours, in rushed Tom of breath and
in of his characteristic fits of mrth aud lawless
glec. lie threw his hat u one corner, his slippers
IN another, and giving me emphatic blow or the
shoulder, Bob, Bob, said he | was sleepy aud
surly, two situations rather to sociability,
and supposing his tongue let loose which would OBJ
obvate all necessity Of talking did not answer, L
say Bob, I've seen girl Have said mutter-
ingly-' But said he, I've seen sdch girl So
bave ], said |, and deliver me from seeing another
such.' You would not say so,' he continued, IF
you had seen the girl have; such head, such an
eye, such manner; Oh she is an angel To-mor-
row she goes in the boat with us, and you shall be
introduced Tom. said ]. with provoking smile,
does your angel spit = Tom colored, and again
turned pale Bob' said he, fixing his keen eye on
me, you are my friend and ask you, as friead,
never to remind me Of that splitting moaster' Know
ing that this was no subject for joke, made all
due acknowledgements, aud promised not again TO
touch that chord. His talking paroxysm returned,
and while descanting upon his new loves beauty
aud grace, fell asleep.
] was suddenly awokc. The moon shone clear
snd bright strange sight met my vision. dis
covered Toms shadow on the wall, brandish;nv his
arms as IN deadly conflict with an enemy turned