Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-12-02

had your supper neither have we, will
you accompany us We intend you no
harm, and may do you more service than
you suspect. Come with US, and after
supper we will make proposal to you,
which if you do no. choose to accept, all
we shall ask OF you is to keep our secret,
which will never bring you into trouble. !"
There was something so mild and pre-.
possessing in the voice and manner of the
young gentleman who addressed me, and
the offer in itself was so inviting to one in
my situation, that all my fears were at an
end, and accepted it at once. After
passing through several streets, my new
acquaintance conducted me into room
furnished with great elegance, where we
found six young gentlemen apparently
awaiting the arrival of our party with no
little Impotence. My companions ex-
planned to them, in few words, the cir
cumstances under which they had met
with me, and we then all gaily took our
seats at the supper table. The whole
scene was so new to me that felt highly
excited, and succeeded so well in contri-
buting to the entertainment of the party,
by the humor and shrewdness of my OBJ
servatons and good-tempered repartees,
that their favorable opinion of me was
confirmed, and they decided to make
choice Of me for the accomplishment Of
their object.
AS soon as the dessert had been placed
upon the table, and the servants had with
drawn, the party, which had hitherto
been noisy and merry enough, sank for a
few moments into profound silence. AT
length he who appeared to be the master
Of the house, turned to me and said ::
" The ten persons with whom you have
just supped, reside in Lyons. We are en-.
gravers by profession and with the prof.
its Of our business, and the fortunes we
inherit, we enjoy an agreeable independ-
ence, whilst our talents command consld-
GRAFTON and respect. Pride and love
have, however, united to disturb this tran
quillity. In the street of st. Dominick
there lives a picture-dealer, an old gen.
tleman, who is himself by no means ex-
traordnary, but who has daughter so
exquisitely beautiful, that the city of Ly
ons, large as it is, contains no woman who
can be placed in competition with her; and
she possesses all those graces and accom-.
plishmen,s of mind and person, which
would make her the object of unrivalled
admiration and love, we're they not OBJ
secured by one single falkland that is
pride, overweening pride. Spoiled by
universal adulation, she looks with the
most sovereign contempt upon those lovers
who are her equals in rank and fortune,
and scarcely deems any one beneath the
dignity of prince, worthy to aspire to
the honor Of her hand. Her old father,
who, though good judge of paintings, is
very weak and ignorant in all other re-
spects, has completely spoiled her by in
diligence, and devotion which almost
amounts to dola,ry. The reading of ro-
mances, her mirror, and the unceasing
praise and hattery of those by whom she
is constantly surrounded, have turned
her head ; and what at first was nothing
more than vanity and self love, has grown
into arrogance and contempt for all those
whose rank and opulence do not fatter
her pride.
"But why should | speak of others,
when it is my opn story | would relate.
During my professional intercourse with
her father, became acquainted with her.
She was affable, and thought she be-
slowed more attention upon me than most
of those around her. She often allowed
me to escort her to balls and the theatre
so that deceived by these trifling marks OF
favor, | fancied | was beloved, because
treated with more federation than many
others; and with the rashness of lover,
ventured to make my proposals to her IA
Their, who received them with appreciation,
and promised me his countenance. My
family, fortune and profession, were all
such as to justify me in thinking that my
would be acceptable to the young
Indy. Imagine. then, my surprise. when
this arrogant girl turned to her father, IN
my presence, and said, with smile of de-
rision upon her naughty lips:
"Do you think, sir, was born merely
10 become the wife of an engraver r.
al was thunderstruck. Such excess
of impudence ex,inguished my passion in
an instant. L lel- Her Win piCSiPtoAoh,
burning with the desire Of revenge, and
meditating upon the manner of accom-
plshing il. sought my friends and re-
unto them, that the insul, had
received reflected upon our whole profess
sion. They warmly took my part; we
have formed plot, and vowed to make
her feel in reality, that she was not born
TO so great 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 confidence for this I'M
dertaking, and feel an ambition to raise
yourself above your present station? BE-
meath poor exterior you have shown us
that you possess spirit and intelligence
equal to the task we propose to you. Are
you willing to become the husband of an
accomplished and beautiful woman, who
only needs that ner pride should be hum
bled, and her vanity punished, to render
her worthy Of esteem 7"
Yes" | replied, with confidence, 81
comprehend the part you wish me to act
and | undertake to perform it in such
manner, that you will have no cause to
regret the choice you have made"
The next day we arranged systematic
plan, by which we regulated all our pro-
ceedings. bathed twice a day, to clear