Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-08-08
crushing weight can never shake Of.

III.
ITS Two years since TparIet with Charlie
Leslie. My children were assembled -,
home enjoy lag the Christmas HOLIDAYS will
youthful spirits, devoid OF care Their han
piness, their iond affection was like sunsbin,
W my desoia'e breast. felt cheered b,
'nelr Innocence and sparkling vivacIiy.
spared nothing 10 make them hsppy.
on New Years Eve, as I was returning
from my office, where had been ,aines
'a'er than usual, remembered I had no
YET purchased gili for my wife. s,uppei
my carriage at Stewards, and variety o
elegant articles were displayed. lcould no
luee'oe, however, until saw an eXpensiv,
osmeis hair shawl. Ii was crimson, and
remembered 10 have heard CorneIia expres:
a desire for one of that color though She
possessed variety, l knew she had none
IKE 'ha'. The price. indeed, staggered e.
ven me however, es the young man display
ed II in graccfulSiulds, mag incd how ~ ell
IL would become her gueen-like form. de.
cided 10 take il, md proceed homeward.
with my gift As was entering her spart.
men', 10 offer my rresent, l perceived a
young woman leaving it, whose pale and e.,
in'cIated countenance attracted my alien.
ION Her apparel was mean and her air
ae!ac'eh she held by the hand poor pale
na'' ieh boxing boy, perfect contrast 10
my own hearty one, who was bounding to-
wards me. A sorrowed countenauce ALWAYS
! strikes one more furcibly during the Loii.
days, when all are cheerful My wife was
speaking To her IN tone OF reproof, over
heard her, as approached, say
Indeed, l am much disappointed Icer.
taIniy thought had right to expect you
would make some exeriion 10 please me.''
Did you know, Madam" the woman re-
Piled, IN detected tone, whilst tears filled
her eyes, what il was TO have a husband in
bad health TO nurse-and, two children i'll " iti
the measles-with no one TO assist, YOU
would make excuses for me-
She departed, whilst passed on 10 Corne
| LAS room
Who WAS that woman you were scclIiug
Corneiin Z: said l entering the room
"Poor thing" she replied. "nerlaps 7
did speak too quickly but TO tell The truth
am very much disappointed She engaged
10 emoroIder merino iunic for Henry to.
morrow, and She has jus, been here TO tell
me she cannot finish il, He will have ia
appear on New Years day in his old one.
You Know how much he is noticed and adj
mlred. he ought To have a new dress. I
could have purchased an imported one mrch
cheareF-bui this person was 10 want, and
solicited work, and ! therefore let her do il
as had no other work to give her. She is
! pro'egee OF mine, whose distress have Of
len relieved, and I think she might have
found some means to oblige me-
| How lhOug hlless even the best DISPOSED
may become when accustomed IT, have every
wish grained as soon as formed
And who may this Interesting look ing
proiegee oil yours he :" said L. '.You have
never mentioned her before
"Oh, Henry. did not care 10 speak Of her
to YOU" Cornelia replied, "inr fear of an
noyIng you. She is Charles Leslies wife ;"
Charles Leslie's W lie ! Had a stroke from
iieaven smitten me down, | could mol have
tell more overwhelmed sank into a sea,
( GREATNESS, whilst my tumulluous thoughts
lovercame me. What-she, The rightful in
herItnr OF the wealth which supplied my own
and my wIie's eXtravagapce, by mental la
Dor supporting q scanty maintenance Con
science, remorse, could 10 longer he siienc-
ed-a!l my injustice stared me in the face,
and loaihed, deiesied my self What
she contend,ng with want, with sickness
whilst we induigtd in every luxury Oh,
what would moi have given 10 have cx.
changed my costly abode for the meanest
horel-to take from me the load Of guilt
which crushed me. tossed The five bund
red dollar shawl TO The faribest end of the
q! room. Ny agitation was so great as 10 a.
iarm Corn elia-she gaZPd at me " i;h look
oil anxious asio iishmeDt. lcnsped my hands
over my face, whilst deep and bitter groans
burst from my oppressed breast. All bave
suffered through SO many years seemed con,
cenirated in the agony OF that moment Al
length raised my head Cornela had seat,
ed herself opposite 10 me--hcr eyes were
I fixed on mine
| My husband, SAID she, in tone Of de.
termination, some secret grief has long op.
pressed you, which you have ever refused 10
communicate 10 me. The time has come
when must know il--wba'ever il is. /, is
/ iight, II is necessary for you 10 unburden
! yourself 10 me. am your wife, I ought a.
know i'll desire 10 know it! must snow
it,"
| She ceased speaking. felt impcllod 10
obey her-fO in her seemed 10 behold truth
personItIed-a power ! could not resist
II VIII tell you all, CorneIis," ] said
but the tale will annihilale you.-will Kill
ne, tor you will spurn me. But my agony
is so great, that feel now os ifeven your
contempt could not bring an additional
pang
! Then rapidly, concisely told her my tale.
She listened With cslmncss Tor she had
wrought herself ny 10 bear il, Whatever il
might be; but as proceeded, her features
were fixed, she became palcr and paler, Until
! she assumed rnarble.llke whiiepess. and
/ she looked like breathing statue. ! fn-
ishcd-a long pause ensued She stirred nor
spoke not. At length, starting up, she said
aud her voice was deep toned and hollow
! "A great wrong has beea done, Henry,
! ana There Is but one way tc act now. Rep
aralion must tie made-full, complete aud
/ Immediate