Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-03-29

dependence and we also acquire by our
talents, considerable share of reputation.
The happiness we have enjoyed has lately
been disturbed by love on one side and pride
on the other. In the street of st. Dominic
lives picture. merchant, who is, himself an
ordinary parsonage, but who has daughter
eminently beautiful. The city of Lyons,
extensive as it is, contains not another mas.
ter-piece worthy of being placed on level
with this charming creature. Possessed of
every accomplishment, and endowed with
every grace, all her amiable qualities are
shaded by one single defect; and that de-
feet is insupportable pride. Vain of being
the object of general admiration, she fondy
imagines that none ought to aspire to her
hand under the rank of prince. Her ia
Their, who is a tolerable good connoisseur in
paintings, but has a very limited understand
ing with respect to every thing else, has en-
tirely spoiled her by adulation, amounting
almost to idolatry. Novels, her looking.
glass, and habitual incense from all around
her, have raised self-love into vanity, and
vanity into arrogance, and the most lofty
disdain towards all who are not decorated
with marks Of eloquence or the distinctions
of rank. had the honor--for why speak
in the third person, when it is my own his
tory which l am relating--I had the honor
of engaging her notice, from my connec.
tons in business with her father. Sorne-
times she accorded me the singular privilege
of giving me her hand at ball, or attend
ing her to the theatre. These slight favors
turned my brain; thought myself below
ed, because was preferred to others; and
ventured to unfold my pretensions to her
father, who lent favorable ear to my offers.
Indeed my family, profession, fortune, and
situation, gave me right to presume that
my alliance would be agreeable to the young
lady. Judge of my surprise when on the
first overture respecting marriage, the in.
solent girl, in my presence, answered her
father in tone of the most naughty AFRO
gance-'Do you think, sir, that young
woman like me was born for nothing better
than an engraver J"
confess that this insolen: and imprudent
remark extingushed every sentiment oflove
in my bosom and love when fled is easily
followed by revenge. My friends ex-
claimed to those who now surround us, 'this
disdainful girl has in my person, committed
general outrage against us all. Espouse
my cause, and let us form such plan as
shall serve to show her, that she has not, In.
| deed, been born to the honor of being the
wife of an engraverP
'Such is my history do you feel sufi,
cient confidence, and think yourself endow
ed with sufficient discretion to merit being
raised above your present condition. Be
meath the abject covering which now dis
guises you, it is easy to discern that you have
some soul, and no common share of under
standing. Will you venture to become til,
husband Of charming woman (; who, t.
attain perfection, wants only to have he
pride mortified, and her vanity punished!
Yes answered l, with frmness Il per
fectly comprehend the part which you woult
have me act, and will fulfil it in such
manner that you will have no reason t.
blush for your pupil
The following day we conferred togethe
as we did ever after, with extreme precau
ton, during whole week, bathed tw'
hours morning and evening, to get rid of my
tinkering skin and complexion. In the in
terval of bathing, the most elegant hal
dresser of Lyons gave my tresses the form
most in fashion. My ten friends furnishes
me with assortments of the finest linen, an
the most elegant dresses for the variou
seasons and were soon so fond of thei
work that we became inseparable. Almos
their whole time was employed in giving m
|. Instructions. One taught me to read, anoth
, er to write another some notions of draw
, ing; few lessons in music it'll e, j
short, of every thing. So that during tire
months my time, thoughts and attention wer
wholly absorbed in my studies and 500
perceived that this kind Of life suited pei
|, fectly my taste,--I felt the utmost ardor
carry to perfection these fine rudiments {
my new education, which had become m
chief delight nature had furnished me nc
, only with disposition for study, but with
memory so retentive, that my young friend
observed with astonishment the rapid Pre-
, gress of their disciple.
, At length they thought me sufficiently aC
) compished to carry their project into fu
, execution, and was removed from my ii
l tie closet, to take possession of spacior
, suite of my apartments in one of the fine'
hotels in Lyons. The bellows-mender di
! appeared altogether to make way for ii
rich Marquis of Rouperon, principal prt
p prietor of the mines Of Dauphiny. 1t WI
9 under this title that | presented myself
d the picture merchant as purchaser wi
k paid but little attention to few louis; pr,
: vided he met pieces that were original.
r most perfect imitator of my experience
e tutors, had learned to twirl my seals, di
n play my repeating.watch with an air of il
difference, show the brilliant which VOL
9 on my finger, or handle an elegant snu
Q box on which was painted fancy portra
: which | modestly observed was a picture
y beloved sister.
e Twas DESTROYS Of pleasing and easily su
n ceeded. But it was not enough to impo
e on the father: in order to fulfill the viey
o of my patrons, the daughter must also
4 deceived. While was meditating on Il
}, point, the picture merchant gave me noti
d that he had just received superb cole
!, ton Of engravings from Rome requestil
!. me to call that same morning, since he won
h not expose them for sale till should ha
], made my choice.
!. FASTENED to his house, unconscious
d the fate that awaited me. Instead of
9 ing received as usual by the father, it W
;. the daughter, whom till then had in va
N | ,,;.I,eJ a. COO or rofhar a xuoc bcot,tv