The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-04-11
SELECTED TALES.
THE LAST OFFER.

proposition from him Z"
"Why not, Sybill replied tho gentle Ur-
sula.
"There is every reason why you should
not, returned The other, "nnd hone why
you should; why, coz, he's the handsomest
and wealthiest man in all Alesbury, and
you are poor, and turned of twenty-five in
the bargain. Who knows but this is your
last offer 7"
"Then be it even so,". replied Ursula,
smiling with pity at her thoughtless cousin.
I" Ii would not be an impossible thing to
live ones whole life out in celibacy should
Providence seem thus TO order il. Mar
rlage is not n covenant into which we must
enter; yet it is instituted by righteous
heaven, no doubt to promote the happiness
and good of mankind; but we must not
choose companion for life as we would
purchase garment, because we must hare
one and although it is not such as we
should altogether choose, still we Take it,
either because il is snowy, or we think we
cannot find so valuable one in any of the
shops for the same price, which is, perhaps
all we are able 10 meet. There must be
lose-sober, rational and disinterested af-
fection TO make the married state happy.
We should choose husband for his society
because it affords us knowledge and de-
light; aud not for his gold, because il will
purchase us gewgaws 10 wear, and coach
TO ride in T; nor for his responsibility or dis
tinction, because it will raise us in the eyes
of our fellow mortals, s,-We should SO love
"A husband that we could go with him
cheerfully from a palace to cottage, and
even feel II precious privilege to soothe
him in his day of adversely.
" j know nothing about your philosophy
co.," returned Sybil, more seriously /;
Il" but this do know, that many young la
dies reject proflered alliances with the hope
of obtaninG better, but in the result accept
of one far inferior. Now believe in secur-
ing an alliance which in every. respect
equals what our expectations ought to be,
and not running the hazard of what the un-
certain future may bring, for the hope OF
stepping higher in lfe."
do not approve young lady's re-
jectiDg proposition because she hopes 10
obtain. better one" replied Ursula (;
4" neither do disapprove her suffering it
to pass if it does not meet her wishes.
There can be no happiness in the married
state, unless the purest feelings of the heart
enter warmly into the engagement; not
that fancy alone is to be consulted without
due Difference to the voice Of reason but
these two should 20 hand in hand in max
ing up choice for life"
| do not think much of this love-" re-
turned Sybil, laughing; I" it will do TO
make figure in romance or ballad, and
even smooths off pastoral very prettily
sometimes-but l imagine it should have
but little weight when brought into the
common every day concerns Of life."
But our happiness, COUSIN" replied
Ursula " lives in these every day concerns
as you call them our whole lives are made
up of shreds and small parcels of time,
and if these be stript of their enjoyment, OF
filled up with cold, heartless views and
feelings, they will at least form an aggre-
gate of unhappiness extending over our
whole existence. How, can. we live happily
with those we do not love, especially in
that union which binds us TO their society
for life 2"
81 doubt not but love is a good article in
its place." answered Sybil; "but we
should not sacrifice the greater considera-
tion to the less. / could be happy with
young Bennington, not that / love him
better than you do, but should be happy
in his elegant mansion and fine carriage,
and particularly so in the idea that l had
accepted a good offer which might have
been my last; and should ] have had fifty,
how do know should ever love ?"
"God has not been so unkind to his
creatures, Sybil." replied Ursula, "as to
create in them the most holy and recipro-
ced affections, and then give them no OBJ
iect for their exercise. believe that every
person, by waiting suitable time, will fnd
full reciprocatlon, Of all the most tender
feelings of the soul; at any rate, if they do
not, suppose they we're designed for sin-
gls life aud this life every one had fer
better live than SO greatly to injurc aud
abuse fellow being, as to accept his dis
interested affections, and ayow a proper
return when the heart has no part nor lot
in the matter. But here comes young
Bennington; and as he has not seen you
since your London tour, perhaps you may
make conquest. this proved to be
prophetical for in just six months from
that day, Sybil was removed from her
paternal roof, 10 become one of the joint
heirs Of old Billey Bennington's possess
ions when he should have done with
them.
Ursala was poor orphan, n niece Of
SybiI's mother, who kindly gave her a
home, and protected her in oil respects as
she did her own daughter; yet she could
not solve the mystery of her rejection Of
Bennington, aud il was whispered among
the prudent ma,rons Of the neighborhood
as matter Of absolute mystery aud aston
ishmeni. Ursula, however, bad no regrets
on the subject; bsi when she saw hcr
cousin rolling IN ease and splendor, sl'