The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-12-16

means extraordinary, but who has daugh-
ter so exquisItely beautiful, that the city of
Lyons, large as it is, contains no womaD .
who can be placed ~ competition with her;
aud she possesses oil those graces and accom-.
pEshmenis of mind and person, which woald (
make her the object Of unriyalled admiration
and love, were they not obscured by one SIN. +
gle fault-and that is pride, Overweenlng
pride. Spoiled by universal adGlaiion, she
looks with the mos. sovereign con;enp; up.
on those lovers who are he: equals IN rank
and fortune, and scarcely deems any one
beneath the dignity OF a prince, worthy 10
aspire 10 The honor OF her hand. Her old
father, who. though good Judge Of paint.
ings, Is very weak and lgnoEaui m all other
respects, has completely spoiled he. by
indulgence, and devotion which almost
amounts 10 idolairy. The reading Of no
mances, her mirror, and the uuceasiDg
praise and lattery of those by whom she Is
constantly surrounded, have turned her
head; and what al first was nothing more
than vanity and seltloYe, has grown Iuto
arrogance and a contempt for all those
whose rauk and opu,enee TO 20. Aatier her
pride.
"Bat why should | speak Of others,
when il is my oipn story would rotate
Daring my professional intercourse with
her father | became acquainted with her.
She was atfabie, and though, she bestow.
cd more attention upon ne than upon most
Of those around her. She often allowed
me TO escort her to balls and the theatre SO
that deceived by these lrding marks Of ia
vor, | lancied was beloved, because treated
with more federation than many others;
and with the rashness Of q lover, vcn.ured
TO make my proposals 10 her father, who
received them with appreciation, and prom
ised his counienance. Ny family, fortune
and profession, were all such as to justify
me IN thinking tina, my alliance would be
acceptable TO the young lady. Imagine,
then, my surprise, when this arrogant girl
turned 10 her father, 10 my presence, and
said, with a smile Of deTsion upon her
naughty lips;
"Do you ihiEk, sir, was born merely
to become the wife Of an eugraveri ;"
was lhundars;ruck. Such excess OF
impotence eXIingulshed my passion in an
instant. | left her with precipitation, burn.
ny with the desire OF revenge, and medi.
ialiog upon the manner of accomplishing it..
4 | sought my friends and represented to
them, that The iasulI | had received reaec.
ted upon cur whole profession. They warm.
ly took my part; sc have formed plot,
and vowed 70 mako her feel in reality, that
she was not born 10 so grea, an honor as TO
become the wife Of an engraver. There
is my story, my dear Perou rou and now,
tell me whether YOU have sufficient conf
dence for this undertaking, and feel an am
bIilon 10 raise yourself above your present
station Beneath poor exterior you have
shown US that you possess spirit aud incl.
llgence equal 10 the task we propose TO you.
Are you willing to become the husband Of
an accomplished aid beautiful woman, who
only needs that her pride should be hum.
bled, and her vanity punished, 10 render
her worthy Of love and esieeml'
Yes" I replied, with confidence,
comprehend the part you wish me 10 act;
ard | undertake to perform il 10 such
manner, that you wi, have no cause to re
greet the choice you have made"
The next day VIC arranged systematic
plan, By which We regulated all our future
proceedings. 1 baihed twice DAY, 10
clear ny complexion, and soften my skin /;
my hair was arranged by the mos, fashion.
able hair. dresser in Lyons; my friends be-
slowed upon me complete wardrobe, aud
attached themselves SO closely to me, that
we were almost inseparable, and all their
leisure was devoted to my Instruction.
Oae taught ufe to read, another to write.
I Music, drawing, and various other studies,
occupied my time and unremi,ted attention
for three months. I soon perceived that
this kind Of life SO entirely accorded with
my tastes, that teil an ardent desire TO
perfect myself in my new education.
Study became my passion, and Nature had
endowed me with such capabilities for &C.
/ quirement, and memory SO relentive, that
my young friends bebeId with astonsh.
neut and delight the rapid progress Of their
scholar.
( The period having arrived when ny
friends thought me sufficiently prepared TO
carry their project into execution, quilted
M little study, auj took possession of 81,
perb apartments in one Of the first hotels in
Lyons. The poor belowsmender vanished,
and 70 hia place appears the rich Marquis
. de R1Peroy, one Of the principal propue-
tors Of the mines o. Dauphiny. |, was IN.
der tais tile, that presented myself to the
old picture dealer, as ar amateur DESTROYS
to crafty his taste, aud careless at what
cost. had learned from my masters how
to show % to advantage my large diamond
ring, display a handsome repeater, and
strike II with preoccupied air, and grace.
fully present an elegant snuff. box, upon the
4 lid Of which vas beautiful fancy portrait,
which moIes;ly said was the likeness Of a
sister to whom | was greatly attached. In
short, | endeagored to please, and was sue.
cesstul. But It was not enough to deceive
the tathsr only 10 gam our end, The daugh
Z 1 4