Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-01-19
A Chapter on Stale Bre ad--or the Graham
lite yictim:


sympathy. while write the history Of one of your
class You will all agree with me that it is from
choice that you stem the cold current OF lite solitary
ard alone Each will acknowledge that when first
setting out the worlds tempestuous wave that did
not think OF raversng its dark alone without
a star to guide you--and that star woman No!
your hearts will respond 10 The truth OF my position
and each of you will exclnm with my bachelor friend,
II shoul now have had partner participate in my
joys-sympathize in my alictionshad not cruel fate
in unthinking moment robbed me y !"
Reader, pcnder--I shudder TO relate-my pen trem-
bles in my hand while tell you tina, the awful
phe which robbed him oil companion tor liiea bosom
friend-a INTERCHANGEABLE bread yes, stale bread!!
"Ye devotees of Graham, who hold your crusty NOR.
SCI like half starved dogs, and prefer sawdust bread
fresh superfne four-see! ah see! what your unhal-
lowed warfare on the fresh staff of life has done =
Hopes blighed friendship slighed and my friend the
bachelor doomed wander like lone star in this ter
res,rial hemisphere
Reader this is no fancy sketch; It's said that
- Truth is strange
Stranger than fiction"
Hundreds be brought to bear witness who have
seen the victim attempt to describe, writing IN fear
fol agony, and shuddering and misfortune
places in his way his cursed enemy.
Months have now passed since first came in contact
with this enemy of stale bread and never forget The
scene was called To witness.
1t al Mrs. W'*-N*.'s fashionable boarding house
down town TIE hour Of dinner had arrived and each
boarder was at his station the able-for few
there fearful pausenothing was hcard but
the ndescribable noise which each carver occasioned
he gracefully divided the smoking joints.
Servants were stationed at intervals, ready to bear
dispatches to the master OF ceremonies and each
fulfil ing the wishes of his constituents by the
turning plate filled with the choicet relishes.
Our hero the bachelor seated at the head of the
table and having been help 10 the meats, in the
act Of taking bread.
His eve glanced at the waiter and then the bread
but unfortunately it was staie-sta!e- i.
Ghos, Of my ancestors, he cried with the voice OF
maniac will ye continue 10 tormen, mel" but he
said Pale and helpless he sank back in his
chair in fainng f from which with the assistance of
little cold water, applied his temples, he
cred.
After he had gained strength sufficient to 10
the previous scene, ventured TO ia,errogaie him as TO
the his insanity
At first he appeared reluctant to give me any salts
faction but insisting further he consented and here
follows his history nearly in his swn words.
time left the green fields and fragrant groves of
Wethersfeld CT. l was then youth of ls-young en-.
thusiastc and filed with fond anticipation. for the f
ture. / the happiest ef mortas
Zone day, as was walking alone in the fields, and ad
mrng the beauties Of and the growth OF onions
for all who have any knowledge of Wethershela must
know that its associated with pretty girls and
onions had walked tar before was awakened
from my revere by the appearance of female form,
who unconscious ofmy approach. was engaged in weed
ing a small bed Of onions. A plain nuns bonnet
partly concealed from my view face OF surprising
beauty. Dark raven resses hung IN luxsrant ringets
forehead of alabasier whten-ss undr which shone
pair OF jet black eyes, brilliant than thousand
diamonds.
"The nose was pure Grecian-cheeks blushing with
youthful beauty and ioveliness-and lips-ah how
shall describe them ?-benutiful far too beautiful f
one of earth-hi only to grace angel such as she
" Her form was faultless, and as the poet says,
Grace in every saep-heaven in her eye"
al was in rapures feeling unknown before had taken
possession of my heart. Ii was love But alas for
me. yet the object of my alteration was fair un
known; and how was l TO become acquainted!
al first thought Of introducing myself and was
the point of throwing myself her feet-snd there
der the blue heavens and in the green fields to my
love. But / did ] returned TO my home in a state
of excitement that be described The fair form
haunted me; she in my thoughts by day. and in my
waking dreams BY night.
Fortune however soon placed me in a favorable situ
alton, and became acquainted with her which, in.
sead of dampening my attachment only increased the
flame.
"All that Ihad reamed before found than real.
red iu her acquaintance: and 1 thought my happiness
would now be complete If could but call her mine
Success unknown in the history Of lovers attended
and led me An opportunity soon arrived and !
vowed my attachment 10 her, and told her how much
loved-my love recproca;ed and we were engaged.
Ny happiness now thought compete-ny cup OF bliss
full-a that remained consummate my earthly fell.
city was to lead her up TO the holy altar and there be-
fore heaven in mutual affection 10 swear to love, cher
ish and obay But alas how uncertain is all the things
o; earth, and how the old adage, that
"There is many lip between the cup and lip
the sequel will show.
The day previous to the we had appointed for
our nupals messenger arrived in great haste with
letter addressed 10 and requested to take
back. received Il. andtrembed as placed my hand
on the SEAL and hastily broke 1t open.
IL from her-writtcn under great excitement and
in the following strain.
WETHERsFTELD.
DEAR acknowledgements is the day appointed to
celebrate nuptias-would TO heaven II might pass
oahsppily.
You are all l desire and all could have wished
But fortune has p need me in situation peculiar that
cannot without violating my pledge, consent to our
union. am member Of the Bran Bresd Society.
have affixed my name TO the pedge-wnich requires
Of each member sacredly abstain from touching tast
ured from equal quantities of bran and sawdust IL also
forbids joining the holy bands Of s,rmony any person
who is member Of sale society. and 10 good and
aular standing You see how am uaied and hope
you will pardon me for putting of so important dis
closure 70 this late perod-if you love you have
vowed land you dol you will lose no time TO
comply with my wishes. DO So and our happiness Is
completed till then farewell
remain your ever loving
JULIA.
Till then FAREWELL member Of the Bran Bread
Society. Gracious heaven can II be possible She the
lovely and adorable Julia is 10 be my tormentor will
"a our union unless | member of that
Society. abhor stale bread J never could endure
and must now be compeed-I cannot, will not
Oh OH OH
Such the effects Of this latter hero that he
became delireus, and apprehepsions entertained
that he might drown himself in the neighboring mill
pond. He. however, recovered and still lives bach