The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1841-11-04

which they hung. She eant her white on her low
er's shoulder and gazed upon him with delighted and
breathess attention. Who is it that has said there is no
happiness on earthi Had he seon Edmund and Flora
enco on that calm, blue morning, he would have cones
scd the absurdity of his creed.
Edmund was the eldest son ofthe village
rector; man ''to all the country DEAR Flor.
ence was the daughter Of an old, respected
soldier, who had served in many campaign,
aud who now lived in retirement upon the
small pension which was given him by govern
meut, as the reward Of his long and valuable
services. Sho dlost her mother almost be.
fore she knew her, and all her 6lial affection
was centered in her only surviving parent; her
heart she had bestowed upOn Edmund, and he
was by no means iusensible ofthe value Of The
gift. They hal bean companions from their
infancy. All their recollectiOns of times past
were The same, for III their amnsements and
studies had beeN sin liar But Edmun1 had
made considerably morn progress than Flor
ence. Nature had heaped upon him all thase
mental endoWments that con-'i'ule genius.
She had given h,m mind capable of tho pro-
foundest aspirations; heart tha, could feel
more deeply, fancy that coul wirg boder
fl ght, than those of most other youths of his
age. tie, as yet, knew nohin! cf the state Of
society beyondhe limits of WoodbIrI. He
had never been more than twenty miles from
home during his life.
Bu, he vas now eighteen. and Florence was
only year younger. They had ceased to be
boy and girl. She, indeed, would have been
conlenied as she was for ever best with hor
faiher's and her lovers affection; more than
happy 10 the discharge o. o dome tic duties;
IN her summer evenrg ramUlrs, in her books,
| her bees, her fruits, aud her flowers. But Ed
muhd, although no loved her with all tho en-
| thusam Of first love, had more ambition in
his nature. lie wished to mingle IN the crowd
| in The pursuit of glory; and he had hopes that
he might outs;Iip al least come of his compet>
itors. Beside, he was not possessed Of an in
dependent fortune, and eXerton therefore be-
came duty.
His resolution was al once formed; he deter
minod to fix his residence in London. for at
least couple Of years, and ascertain whether
in truth, ability was it's own reward. 1t was
sad news to Florence; but on reflection on the
advantages which Edmund might derive from
the execution oil the scheme, she looked upon
her grief as selfish, and endeavored to res
train it, The evening before he left Wood
VuluS tHoJ toVh IdIo"0u Wdlk lUboIHeTS VI
her fathers garden. Florence had succeeded
in keeping up show Of cheer!ulnees during
the day; but as the yellow beams Of the setting
sun came streaming in through the poplars and
elms that lined the wall, and as she thought
how often lhev had eeen the sun set before, and
how long it would be ere they should see il set
again, chord was touched which vbraied
through her heart, and she could no longer
restrain her tears. Edmund besought her,
with the utmos, tenderness of manner, not to
give way 10 emotions so violent; but she only
locked his hand more firmly in her own, and
amid The convulsive sobs, repeated again and
again Edmund we shall never meet more.
Her lover bad recourse 10 every soothing ar-
ghment he could think of; but though she a,
length became calm, gloomy presentmenI
Of future evil seemed 10 have taken possession
of her mind. -,
yearha elapsed, and Edmund's early
dream had been more than realized. He had
risen into fame at once; his reputation as a
man Of genius was acknowledged throughout
his native land. His fortune was secured and
his name had already become ilustrious.--
Every where was his society courled, and bis
opinions listened TO with Difference and adm-
ration. There seemedto be no honors Ia
which he might not hope 10 attain. HIS ar
dent spirit, and his growing ambition, became
only the more Unsuitable. Every difficulty hat
yielded before him; he had flown on upon The
wings Of success; his life had hitherto been q
brilliant drsam-a dream from which he saw
Doprospect Of immediate awakening. Ga'
1t was evening, and he was alone 10 he
splendid drawing room, with the loveIiest wo.
man in London-the daughter Of a viscount
A hundred lamps, reflected by hundred mir.
rofs, shone aro6qd them There was to be 9
magnificent entertainment, but the company
had not yet arrived Edmund and the LADY
Matilda, would not have cared had they new
er arrived. They sat near each other, anC
talked in low soft tones Of all that youth an,
beauty love bes, TO talk about. Edmund had
never felt so vain in his life before; for there
we're hundreds in the metropolis blest with al
the advantages Of rank and birth; who woulc
have given both their litles and their fortunes
10 have essecured one Of those smiles which The
proud maiden now lavished upon hia,. Ant
she-she had read his works, she bad though
Of his fame, che looked upon his elegant form
and handsome features, and forgot the hun
dred scions Of nobility who had offered uI
their incense al her shrine A carriage wat
heard to stop, and iheg were soon to be inter