The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1841-10-28
THE POISONED NET;
OR THE SMUGehER'e KEYENGE.


spread across; ,he heavens, and all was sert
and still, save the rolling waves dashiug a.
gainSt the shore, and the shril tones of the sea
birds that we're walled from distance from the
airl Why was she lingering aboutthe dreary
scene, at one moment pacing with rapid foot
steps the fiinty beach, and the next reposingher
arm upon craggy piece ofrock, stretching her
neck as far as she could over the precipice, eV-
idently in search ofsomehing that came not
a in the expectation Of that, Of which no signs
appeared Margaret was anxious for her below
ed husbands return. Ha.. -.4
She was youAgan gentle creature, deli
cate as one "that brealhss the ptefumed airsof I
Peace;" nursed in the lap ofaffideuce, she was
destined in after yearsto taste the bitter cupof
affi ction, and from the pride Of wealth and sta.
ton her soul was humbled, to miugle with
class ofpersons inferior and lowly. Still the
spirit Of Margaret rose superior TO the turn Of
fate, and though she felt The deprivation Of
those elegancies oflfs which her previous sta
tIon afforded, still she looked on her present
conditiOu without repining, or embitteripg it
with vain regrets or wishes for that which had
passed away from her for ever That father of
Margaret was ruined merchant, unable 10 bear
the rush Of sorrow, his heart broke under it; he
had been too familiar with the use Of high, sta
tion to look, with contened eye upon the
poverty which attended him, and he died. His
wife had more forlitude, more resignation; che
retired from the busy hauns of the world, and
by the work Of her hands supported herself and
her infant daughter, weaving the young mind
OF the latter from the things with which her ear.
3 lyt aspirations had beel associated, and at
length moulding her deposition TO that con-
b tented mood, which en- ble her 10 enjoy the
blessings heaven still be -towed upon them.
But the good and the vIriuous must be with
''lhe common heart of men," and The mother Of
MMgaretsWelled the triumph Of the destroyer,
and passed away from world which bad in
deed been faihsss to her, and wen, 10 join her
broken-hearied partner IN the skies. Margaret
/ wasthen an orphan. Many friends however,
crowded round the desolae gifl;.il could not
be that tvirtue and beauty, sUch as hers, could
( fail Of obtaining ffiends; and there was more
energy, more truth, in tho appeal which the si-
I lent tears with which Margaret behaved the
llfesss corps Of her departed mother, made 10
the hart. tban in the fnost studied oration or nois
ed regret, JsH that she was alone inthe world
|, she beheld the one being, the only one upon
!. whose friendship and affec,ion she haa any
claim, lifeless'belore her. Friends como about
her and offered service; but where was the be-
ing whose attention could be SO disin,erested;
whose enthusiasm could be go warm as that Of
the departed onel When could she seek for
that consolation whichehe was accustomed 10
find in mothers love?t 'i tas.n
Among all those who interested themselves
IN nhant h. ocp piaba II
Maynerd and George Forster, two young fish
ermen, who already by their great iOduslry, and
perhaps their good fortune had not only raised
themselves in the estimation OF their associates
but were beginning to look forward lathe world
and were generally considered to be saving
money, were most conspicuous. The dull
hours Of Margareps employment we're treguent'
ly cheered by the gay conversation Of the
young men, who, when they could snatch IA
vorab!e opportunity, were certain OF being at
trac,ed towards tile cottage OF Margaret. Al
first the guileless girl received their visits as
those Of friendship and common regard, but a,
length whispers floated about, reached her ears,
and her eyes we're opened 10 the improperly Of
her coaduct. and then Maynard and Forster
were Immediately requested to discontinue their
Visits. ~'
We none Of Us know how lenderly an object
| is endeared 10 us, until circumstances deprive
us Of the nfeaus Of connection. Once shut out
| from its society, we Instantly become acquain-
Ted were a thousand feelings that were un-
known before; thousand desires spring up in
our breast andwe pant after lha', which, while
| we were possession Of it, " scarcely es-
teemed or regarded. So il was with the young
| 6shermenphe youthful Margaret possessed TOO
| many attractions to render il possible for a
| young man TO be long acquainted with her, not
| 10 feel some desire for a nesr connection;
Maynard and Forester loved Margaret; aud
when they found themselves prohibited from
visiting her cottage, they became very dull
and melancholy; neither Of them knew how to
pass the few leisure hours they had, and ne-
lher ofthem knew time to pass with such lea
den feat as he appeared 10 possess now. Al
length they determined upon putting an end 70
their discomfort, an each ofihem named a for-
NAL offer Of his hand.
4 Margaret regarded Maynard as fiend-
sho was grateful for the Eindressee which he
had shown her, but she could not entertain any
warmer feeling. There was something for
bidding in his appearance. aud though his con-
duct was even correc, and honorable, there
was siih something repllsiye in his man1erI
| that breVpnad Anv oiher CealinU than that N