Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-07-20


be endangered, but she has set her heart
on attending the dancing school ball.
But she is just recovering from sick
ness, and the exposure on such an eve
ming as this promises to be, may cost her
her Jfe--surely you have no. consented.'
Il have-for | cannot long oppose
Amelia; in thwarting her, | punish my
SELF answered the weekly indulgent
mother.
'Ah, my dear Mary exclaimed Mr..
Meredith, and will constant course of
self-indulgence prepare our child to bear
the necessary ills and trials Of life? No
believe me, though opposition may not
meet her here while under our care,
though we may shield her from suffering,
the world will not be slow TO disappoint
her,
Mr.. Meredith was a man of principle
and sense, he loved his own family circle,
but the increasing calls of his profession
left him lite leisure for home, little time
to devote to his daughters education,
though there were times when he deeply
regretted the weak and mistaken indul
gence which Amelia received from her
mother; an only child, she was the cher
ished object Of affection to both parents;
but far different was their mode Of mani
+! Testing it. While Mrs. Meredith weakly
yielded to every caprice and whim which
the spoiled child of fortune could form,
her husband, with more judicious affec-
ton, looked forward to the future effect
upon her character. He thought Of the
time when the fond paternal love would
be withdrawn, and the world would come
with its disappointnlents and he would
have given to his child those principles,
which would enable her in the hour Of
trial to resist it's influences. Yet, with
many cares constantly pressing upon
him, engaged in profession which obliged
him to pass much of his time from home,
the mothers influence was more power
fully felt, and the little Amelia was not
slow to learn the lesson that she was beau
tiful, and the sole heross of her fathers
wealth. With an affectionate heart and
fine powers Of mind, under the withering
influence Of fattery and indulgence, she
was daily becomming selfish and imperi-
Gus; her will had SO long been law with
her mother and her mothers servants,
( that the idea Of sacrificing it never once
entered her mind. How little do we re-
aIize the fatal influences of such course
until some startling proofs force them
selves upon us.
Years passed away, the beautiful but
wil(ul child was just entering upon the
. world of fashion, of which she was so
likely to become an idol, when her fathers
death left her the mistress of fortune,
which by no means lessened the powers
. of her own personal attractions. Sur
rounded by admirers, drinking the intoxi-
eating draught Of adulation from all, Ame-
4 liza became the reigning belle in the large
2 town Of b. Accustomed to seek her
own selfish qualification, she triaed on,
now rcpulsing, now encouraging her nu-
merous admirers, and while trifling with
all, seriously interested in none. Their
attentions were grateful, because they
fattered her vanity---as to her heart, that
was still untouched, and she could hear
and say brilliant nothings, receive their
homage day after day, and turn from
them without one feeling Of marked inter-
est. At u large evening party, where, as
usual, surrounded, the centre Of attraction,
she was talking and laughing, her atten-
ton was arrested by a gentleman, who
leaning pensiyely against a marble bust,
at short distance from her, seemed
wholly abstracted from, and Indifferent to
the scene around him.
'Who is he?' said she to gentleman
, who stood near her.
BE a little more definite, saidhe, smi-
, ling at her air Of interest, sand will
endeavorto answer your question. 'Oh,
said she, II Penseroso, | should call him.
Imean the stranger whoisleaninig against
the bust yonder-he is 'just speaking to
Mrs. w.
That, oh, that is Mr.. Ludlow,a bright
star in the literary constellation, the law
, yerwho has distinguished himself so much
!, by his successful plea in a late important
case. You have surely heard Of his elo-
quence--all the papers Of the day have
Fl rung with his namo-he passes few
weeks in B. on professional duty, Anne
i lila remembered having heard MIR. Lud-
lows name mentioned in terms Of high
encoailm. But whom her companion
:. enquired ifhe should introduce him, no,
+ certainly not, said she, 8 never seek the
i acquaintance Of any gentleman her man.
Ener having evidently proved she was moi
n ayerse to making this an exception 10 her
\ general rulei--and the gallant Captain
& 8. 8 -. t,,,,,,,,,:t IS M, ,,,hapo ho