Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-12-02
THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 2, 1871.

One taught me 10 read, another TO write.
Music, drawing, and various other studies,
occupied my time and unremitting atten-
ton for three months. soon perceived
that felt an arden, desire 10 perfect my
self in my new education. Study became
my passion, and Nature had endowed me
with such capabilities for requirement,
and memory so retensive, that my young
friends behed with astonishmen, and de-
light the rapid progress Of their scholar.
The period having arrived, when my
FRIENDS thought me sufficiently prepared 70
carry their project into execution, quit.
ted my little study, and took possession OF
superb apartments in one of the first ho-
tells in Lyons. The poor bellows-mender
vanished, and in his place appeared the
rich Marquis de Ruperou, one of the
principal proprietors Of the mines OF Dau
phiny. 1t was under this title, that pre-.
scented myself to the old picture dealer, as
an amateur DESTROYS to CRAFTY his taste,
aud careless at what cost. ! had learned
| from my masters how to show off to ad
vantage my large diamond ring, display a
handsome repeater, and strike it with a
pre-. occupied air, and gracefully present
an elegan. snuff box, upon the lid of which
was beautiful fancy portrait, which
modestly said was the likeness of sister,
to whom was greatly attached. In short,
endeavored to please, and was success
| full. But it was not enough to deceive the
father only; TO gain our end, the daugh-
ter must be duped and won; and while
tuning in my mind how 10 bring this
about, fortune seemed to clear the way
for me.
One day note was brought to me from
the old gentleman, informing me that he
had Just received from Rome number OF
fine engravings; and he begged me to call
at his house the next morning, and make
my choice before he offered them for sale.
went, unconscious of the fate which there
awaited me for, instead OF being received
by the father, as usual, his beautiful
daughter appeared before me, and dazzled
me by her charms.
II often happens, tina, calm and indif-
feren, exterior conceals heart alive to
the finest sensiblites Of -four nature. Mine
was susceptible Of the deepest passion,
and | felt at that moment all the power
and fascination of beauty. A new world
seemed opened before me; new serti-
ment filled my heart; and forgetting that
| was but acting part, one deep, absorb
ing feeling took possession of all my fac.
ulties. Aurora, perceiving her triumph,
was apparently flat,ered by my confusion,
and listened with complacency TO the dis
ordered expressions which escaped my
lips, showing too plainly the admiration
felt, and the impression her charms had
made upon me.
This interview fixed my destiny for
ever. Every obstacle disappeared before
my passion, which absorbed my whole be-
ing and from that moment, resolved to
devote my days and nights TO study, that
might become less unworthy Of the hap
pness to which aspired. Every day ]
found some pretext for vis; to the pic
ture-dealer's. always had some triflng
present to Aurora, or some object of taste
upon which to ask her advice. 1t was
the season Of flowers, and constantly pre-
scnted her with bouquets of the rarest and
most beautiful sort, to which my friends
frequently enabled me to add a complI-
mentary sonnet, or song, composed by
them, but of which had all the credit.
soon perceived that my gifts and atten-
tons were not Indifferent to her, and fire..
quently surprised the beautiful girl with
her eyes fixed upon me with an expression
of tender interest.
In this manner six months passed away.
The engravers, intent upon the full accom-
plishment of their revenge, were fearful
by too much precipitation, to endanger
the completion of their object. Every
evening they required of me an exact ac-
count of the events Of the day; and APP
peared so entirely satisfied with my con-
duct, that they even furnished me with
more money than needed. One day |
received formal invitation 10 a grand
fete al his country seat, which suspected
was principally in my honor. When |
arrived there, was received by his proud
and beautiful daughter with so much con-
sderation, and she bestowed upon me SO
many kind and delicate attentions, that
entirely overcome by her charms, height
ened by the brilliancy Of her dress,
seized the first moment of our being a
lone, to pour forth feelings | could no
longer control; and throwing myself at
her feet, offered her my heart and hand.
She accepted my proposals with dignity
and composure but tear which escap-
ed her downcast eye convinced me, that
pride was not the only sentiment that agI'
tated her heart. saw that | was below
ed
Having deceived the daughter as to my
birth, it was now necessary to blind the
father with respect to my fortune. Nor
was this difficult; for, having little pene-
tration or suspicion, he gave full credence
to my false story. | told him my father
resided upon the estate IN Dauphny; but
tina, his age and infrmlties were such as
to prevent his being present at my mar
riage, although he gave his entire and
willing assent to it. endeavored, in
some degree, to ease my conscience by
the resolution had formed 10 accept no
dover, declaring that my fortune was too
large to think OF increasing it by wiie's
portion. Before the end fthe converse
ton, we came TO an excellent understand.
ing, as left to HIM all the settlements
and money transactions, only requesting
II