The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-11-18
.WFSCELF..E.s'EDUS.
THE ORDEAL ;
or TIE
TRIUMPH OF NATURAL AFFECTION

AMI Ml II vi Na I'M Il AZ IL 1 1@'-fs
BY LADY or MsrIisD.
al sbalI certainly never forgive him +; on
that am determined" said Mrs. Walslng-
ban, as she folded up Letter she had jus!
received from her only son.
"Of course not, my dear friend" said
her companion, q young lady Of damure
aspect, and of the age which Byron has
pronounced to be of ell ages the mos, I'm.
certain,) "a due regard TO Jour own char.
acter for consistency, and your dn.y to SO.
ciety, alike demand tina. yol should no,
safer so fragrant an instance Of dlscbedience
TO pass unpunished."
"AOd Jet, Rebecca, be is my only child,
and it IS hard 20 resolve never TO see him
again"
/. may be hard, bat uevertheless, your
duty and am sure 700 Will 90, shrink
from performing il. FlliaI dsobedieace is
q crime Of the darkest dye, and one which
shorld be frowned upon by all respectable
people"
But 10 Henrys case, tdefe are SO many
exteuuating circumstances; you know this
match was planned by his poor dead father,
and that although | had never seen the
young lady, ] did not oppose it'll became
acquainted with yea NY love, and fels how
much it would add to NY happiness to have
you become my daughter.
sand TO have increased your happiness,
I would have overcome my repugnaaGe 10
marriage, though Heaven knows the sacri.
Gre would have been most painful one.
al appreciate your affection, my dear
Re5ecca and 1t makes cry sons conduct!
in refusing to give Up . childish engagement
for my sake, appear the more iaexcusabe
No, | am determined viii neTer see either
hin or the foolish girl he has made hp
wife," a1d Mrs. Walsingham, withou
another glance, consigned to The flames ihc
letter which had gwen rise TO the above
conversation.
Henry Walslngbam was the only sen 0
a gentleman Of high responsibility, and 0
considerable talent. Mr.. Ta!sngham ha
been bred TO the bar, but having married
wealthy Southern heiress. be had abandon
ed bis profession, and retired to beauiif1
estate he possessed IN the ueighborhood c
Richmond Twas, however, the Grst wis
Of bis hsart lha. BIS ouiy son should becom
distih. G!sbe3 lawyer, and accordingly, al
ter completing bis collegiate studies, Herr
had been placed Yi,b 4 professional gentle
MADAM early irlend OF his father. Dir
hongfotd vas q sldowef, with an onl,
daughter, whose bea1iy and amiability ecol
attracted The regards of her fathers pupil
An uninterrupted intercourse Of seyera
years, produced strong mutual attach
nent, which was encouraged by both faith
ers-and day was already appointed 70
the marriage Of tie young couple, Who
their happiness vas interrupted by the sue
den death Of Mr.. Walsiugham.
Heury arrived at lone only in time I
received his fathers last blessing and b
marriage being Of course postponed, he al
gOmpauicd his mother on visit to her re
alive 10 Charleston. Here he LEFT her an
returned TO his professional pursuits, aud |
tbe society of his aiIianced bride. Whe
Mrs. WalsiDgham, after an absence Of seq
eral months, returned TO her home, she wa
accompanied by young lady, disiar
yelallVe who had con.riyed to render hei
self 50 useful and agreeable, tha, the lionel
widow found II impossible to part with hel
Weak and vain, Mrs Waisingham was a
easy dupe 10 any one who would be at III
pains TO Aatier her, and Rebecca Thornto
noon acquired an unlimited Influence owe
her mind This influence she endeayore
TO turn 10 the most profitable account; On
not satisfied with securing to herself CON
Portable home with her relative, she aspire
TO become the wife Of ner son. With tht
view, she redoubled her attentions, an
while she seemed 10 desire only tue happ
ness Of her friend, she led her, BY mporceI
tibc degrees tn the very point she wshe,
II became the earnest desire of MIR
Walslngham 10 break of the proiecie
marriage Of her son, and TO promote his u
ION with her protegec. This, ho.eya
she found Il impossible 10 accomp sh.-
Tic idea Of marrying a woman fall te
years has senior, seemed 10 Henry so al