Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1840-04-25


presence Of his child to the gay troops Of
guests that filled his house, and the thron.
ged places he was wont 10 frequent. II
was strange, yet touching and pleasant
sight, TO see that man who had all his
life been fashionable, lhoughtless deyo-
lee OF Pleasure, turn from its alluremenls
to caress, watch, and hang over his infant,
with all Of a Woman's and more than It's
Mothers tenderness and care. o, strong,
and beautiful, and holy, must be The ai.
lection, lhatcan Undue Mans heart with
softer, nobler, and better feelings than te-
long TO his nature and teach him Wisdom.
1t has, and not without Truth been
observer, that through our wedknesses our
rices are punished. It was so in the case
OF the Husband, and certainly so ia the
case OF the Wife, whose history we are
reading. The former so little suspected
the ialsehood of 40 beautiful Woman,
that he regarded not his Wife's increased
intimacy with their titled guest, bu! inno-
Gently rallied his friend on his romantic
attachment TO a married lady, while he
aughingly congratulated his wife on her
conquest. Thus through his Idol he was
punished. Alas! most beautiful Wife,
thy infatuated Husband had not IA dislrusl.
full thought of thee!
The noble sutton had not overrated his
power of judging when he marked that
Woman an easy Prey. who had taken
such unusual pains to win him slave to
her Vanity. The very manner Of his
yielding to it awoke her in n feeling of
deeper interest than SeI.Love: che could
not hask in 'the sun of Passions eye and
remain unwarmed by It's rays-and thus
through her idol, Vanity, was she won.
1t is needless 10 recount step by step the
farther progression Of that dangerous in
iimacy. Enough, that she at last broke
through her legitimate ties-ay, without
discernible mark Of weakness or irreso-
Iuicn at the step she was about taking
without a parting look at the innocent,
lovely boy. ENJOYING the rosy sleep OF
her lordly love on her way to a foreign
cline.
The blow came like lhnnderstrokc
TO the Husband; he had little anticipated
such an event. 1t is not easy to describe,
perhaps not possible to conceive the feel
mos that the first, wild, stunning shock
created. But as with magiclan's wand
the veil seemed suddenly rent from bis
eves--Cold of heart and light of conduct.
breathing only an atmosphere OF dissipa.
ton and fla,tery; admitting 10 her ianilIar
society many whose Morality might be
questioned; evincing few maternal senfi'
men,. for her child; loving hlmselt (as
the event had showu) by Profession, not
Principle; thus she stood before hm; he
wondered at and daplored his blind lnfai-
uation, and as he became more clearly con
v;oced of the utter worthlessness of his
beautiful, his adored Wife, he felt every
feeling Of tenderness for her hardening
into Stone.
But why did that deserted Husband
fee, in his iDmost soul consciousness OF
having meried his present calm''y that
rendered it insupportable9 Why did
this apgravation arm the elnpement Of his
wife with a double sting? The time had
come for him to think! Ay, now when
the hitter waters Of affection rolled around
him and his soul was whelmed in the deep
gulf Of despair, there came over him a
train Of agonizing and remorse'uI recollec-
lions. In the desolate waste Of his heart
there rose clear and distinct, pale form,
pure sorrcwlul, yet 'ouchingly submissive
"a very wan cheek, qnivering lip,
fears whose mute eloquence had often
pleaded for slight return TO the measure.
less love that was given--the noble and
true heart that been rejecied--all were
fastened on the eye ofnewly awakened
Memory!
Agnes! we'll were Thy days and nights
} of loneliness and slight, avenged! Iha'
! dark and bitter hour Of remembrance ane
penance, was thine. Yet from that peri
, cd through long and surviving pilgrim
. age Thy memory was cherished with {
> fidelity and reverence, worthy thine owl
. high Purity and Truth
And YET, Retr,bution did not end here
, The fair and beautiful boy, who had hrs
{ turned the farther's thoughts from the falls
I and hollow world-that boy who hat
D awakened wiser and better feelings-sick
} ened, and, though his couch was ,hronge'