The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-15
WHOLE NO, 227.

they seemed made for each other
After their betro,hment, some disagree
ment occurred between their parents, which
threatened to put stop to the consulnmaiion
Of the marriage. The young countless be-
came alarmingly i'll from grief and the en-
thusasric lover threatened to destroy himself,
like Goelhe's Werther, or Miller's Siegwart.
However, TO restore the countess, and pre-
vent the desperate act OF the count, the pa
rents became apparently reconcied. This
saved the life OF the lovers but no sooner
was the young lady pronounced out of dan
ger, than the parents removed her, and sought
to delay their union for an indefinite period.
This was not 10 be endured. The young
couple contrived to meet one night, escaped
beyond the frontier, and under another GO
vernment were united before The altar. They
returned man and wife, having secured, as
they fondly thought, heaven upon earth.
From this time, they seemed models Of love
and harmony. From morning until evening,
never separate, they seemed but to think OF,
and live for, each other. The romance and
sentimental tenderness Of their love made their
existence like life in fairy tale. In winter,
as well as in summer, he filled her apartment
article OF furniture was hallowed BY some
association or recollection.
The second year, this enthusiastic fondness
seemed ratheran over strained false sentiment;
but still, IN all society whether in CAV routs
and balls, or in small circle of friends, thew
seemed to see and think only of each other;
SO much SO indeed, as to render themselves
almost ridiculous. In the third year, they
laid aside this amiable weakness before the
world, though at home their love still retained
its romantic fondness. In the fourth, they
seemed TO have recovered from this first in
loxicaiion of happiness, so far at least as to
be contented apart. They often passed the
evening, sometimes the whole day, in COM
pany he here. she there. This, however
Nut enhanced the pleasure Of their reunion.
BY the fifth year, the count could leave home
for week, without being almost heart broken;
and the countess could bear his absence with
fortiiude. But their letters to each other.
written daily, were as tender and impassioned
as those of telnise. The sixth, they became
more sensible; and even when separated for
several weeks, were satisfied with few
friendly letters. In the seventh, both felt that
they could love sincerely, without its being
necessary to assure each other Of it, from
morning until night.
So far, all was we'll In place Of the all
absorbing passion Of their first love, there
was that abiding affection, that silent conf,
dence in each other, that deeper friendship,
which is the height Of human happiness. In
the eighth year, they had gradually thrown
of so much Of the selfshness of love, rs to
he s %sofId. Gaiia ap HE claims "f the rest of
other, as if they were the only sentienf BE-
inss and the rest of mankind but pictures or
statues upon the stage of life. In nine, they
were amablc, sensible people, abroad as well
as at home. In ten, they seemed very much
like mankind in general and like excellent
people who had been married ten years, and
could take care Of themselves. They had
certainly grown ten years older; SO had their
love and, alas so had their virtues also.
Next, they began to see the faults and fol-
bles that had heretofore been covered with
the mantle of love They spoke not Of them,
but viewed each others errors with kindness
and indulgence Soon however, came
gentle admonition but if it wounded the
feelings, the offender was sure to make iull
and sweet atonement. Then these admonl-
tons came oflener; atonement was not so
easily made; yet still harmony prevailed.
I hen followed occasional irritation, and
anger. and differences Of opinion but they
still loved each other, and such things will
occur in the happiest unions At length
their mutual feelings dictated avoidance OF
too frequent contact.
you are sentimental, and sometimes lrrl-
table, said the count, one day, 10 MS we
= So am l. 1t is useless to have these idle
differences. We will not interfere with each
other, but each take our own way. We can
be sincerely attached, without letting our al
tao hment torment us 10 death.
The countess acquiesced in her husbands
sensible view of the matter, and henceioth
they led an almost separate existence. Rarely
meeting, except at meals, no one asked,
Whence contest or whittier goest thou I!
In this complacent manner, they lived in peace
and harmony.
One evening, in the twentieth year Of their
marriage, they attended The theatre, and were
charmed with the delightful picture Of domes-
tic life and connubial happiness which the
play represented. They returned full of the
feelings which had been excited in their sus-
ceplble hearts. The love Of their youth
seemed revived, and they sat conversing
afrec ionalely by the tireside, before supper.
'Ah' said the countess, it would all be
charming, il we could only remain young
You, at least. have no reason to regret the
loss of youth said her husband, ,enderIy.
Few women remain so youthful and lovely,
Indeed, can see no difference between you
now, and the day of our marriage. Some
liule faults of temper, perhaps, are discover
it not for these. our happiness would be 700
great for this earth. Indeed, were TO live
my life over again, YOU would be my choice
: You are kind and gallant, answered the
countess, with sigh; but think what was
twenty years ago, and what am now Z
Now lovely wiGe-then lovely maiden
| would not exchange the one for the o!her,