The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-10-03
SELECTED TALES.
From the Knickerbocker.
THE AMBITIOUS MAN.

"vaulting ambition which o'erleaps ITSELF
And falls on the other side. - Macbeth.
Were all the crowns, and columns, an
arches, awarded to successful ambitioa, L
be multiplied one hundred fold, they woul,
hardly equal the hopes which have beef
blasted, aud hearts broken in the wianin:
of them. Disease has withered, and acci
> dent and self destruction have found thei
victims, and men have seen the destroying
messenger. But all the while ambition has
been decoying us, and stimulating our low
er energies, and its only records are here
and there a wrinkled and care laden brow,
or an inscription on a tombstone. Ii goes
abroad fsuntng aud dazzling: its solitary
srrivings, its hesrt-burning, and its down
trampling nrts are unobsprved within the in
ner sanctuary.
My friend, Charles Edgarton, was law
yer who misuscd his profession : lie degra-
ded it into a means of political preferment.
At college, he was one of the mlldest fel-
lows in the world-winning respect by men
tai superiority, and retaining il by a thou
sand natural kindnesses. used to admire
his love for his mother, who was n widow,
and had met with such n seri"s Of domestic
losses, that the balance of her thoughts"
already " inclined to another world"
In conformity with her wishes, he was
first disposed to the ministry. BY degrees,
however, he proposed to himself n wider
6eld-a place anbng the names that never
die He might fail but he must strive TO
influence the world.-During all these
changes, his filial affection never cooled.
4" If my parent were not a widow" he used
to say, aud her love to me her last tie to
earth, ! would act for myself, aud the time
should arrive when she might be proud in
deed Of her son !"
Edgarton had one more iDdnceinent to
humble and patient exertion. Mouths and
years Of intercourse had attached him TO
one Of the most lovely spirits have ever
known. Annn Carlton-a gentle creature,
who had never seen the dazzling flstteres
of what is termed fashionable lIfe-was ut
first pleased with his boyish preference as
youth changed to womanhood, she found
her regard rather increased. For while,
she believed her interest ia his struggle, aud
her triumphs ia his success, to he no more
than friendly. and he was no glader TO
meet her bright eyes and modest brows,
than he should have been that of any other
pretty damsel. Both were mistaken, and
both at last perceived their mistake. IL
their atlachmen, was not formally acknowl-
edged, it was nevertheless warm, aud appar-
emily indestruciibie.
Anna was a humble being; unamlitious
but to atirac! by her lovely temper always
an0anaH nnI al, hergaH In
her friends. She had that tAOough self
devotion, that cheerful forgiveness, which
mark woman only. In warmer days used
to fancy, that her character was in no sin
gle point deficient; ! suppose she had fail
ings, but only because she WINS human.
Her mother died when she was in her third
year, and Anna had been kind Of sooth-
ing spirit tn a caprlcIOus father, nj iengti,
her gentle influence failed, he commended
her To- the care of friends and gave himself
To- temptation. She livrd at times with The
Egarton's and then he widows home was
bright and gladsome.
Anna Carlton was nearly eighteen when
Egsr,on resolved to relIDquIsh theology for
a more ambitious calling. often wish ey-
cry thing could be AS il was in those days
ambition came, and IN its train, struggling,
art, coIdness. But I have no desire to de-
tail more Of my old friends life-nor have ]
need. He is dead, and by his wish, ex-
pressed IN his closing hours, several Ms.
records have been put into my hands; part.
OF which ] have thought it no breach Of
confidence to extract. I have forborne TO
make alterations in them, leaving the cir.
cum.tsnces given above, to explain a rather
abrupt narrative, and apologrze for The tone
Of disappointment and repining occasional !
ly perceptlble. These desul,ory passages
shall be called
SCRAPS FROM eREEs BAG.
dark eve m, ad. ,,,o
a politician. I blush 10 confess it. I, cnr-
RES me back 10 years snd feelings from I
which { seldom draw the curtnin. Profess I
.innaI en,inence, Which Iusedto co,ei, now
,ha, I am leaving the scene, erumtles to
dus, IN the grasp. recollect my fret case;
events, condolences connected with 1t can
no, be forgotten.
my ms,her, vho was widow, wished