The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1842-04-07
For the Ohio Democrat.
THE COQUETTE
A SKETCH. by KoLANDo.

~ CtHrB, WREN VIII ihls cruel pro-
baton ceasel Think you that happiness can
scatter her choicest flowers DER heart like
mine, when the only source from which il de-
rIves it's existence, is shut up in sieucel'
AlEed no more! Have not already gave
the my heart. and pledged myself for life to
lhce alonel Heaven only knows how fondIy
love Thee! But two years long and bitter
TO my heart-musl WIND THAR slow, and 10.
diouS course along, ere we can be united
Crcum stances demand il, and a ndng, but
heartfelt sense of duty, Calls loudly for your
probation. Go, Alfred! and when in the gay
scenes ofsome foreign cline, you strain to your
heart some faIrer maid, remember. Clatas
heart is g,leving o'eI thine absence her lips
utterug a prayer for thy retun-and her tears
pleading TO Heaven for health and happiness 10
thee. Go, and remember, that iA life and in
death, Clara is solely shine
%, Cara, would tina, the family Pride were
done away-lhat | might now call thee mine.
Think how my heart will feel, when in for
eign land, behold others enjoying the smiles
and affections Of the ones dearest TO them on
earth, whilst am left TO mourn alone. without
thy soothing influence 10 comfort ne. Clara,
you little know the temptations to which youth
and virtue is exposed ere the Two years pro-
baton, imposed upon me has elapsed, another
may have supplan,ed me in your affections,
and my heart may be left to burst upon The rude
bilows Of turbulent world
'Hold! Alfred, hold! Dstrust has made cal-
lous thy heart, where once dwell the finer sem
sblies of love. have once spoken-now
hear me and then, farewell, until the
days of thy probation have EXPIRED and SIM
king on her knees, she exclaimed, "NOw hear
me Hcaveu to Danish the idle fears of him /
love best on earth, swear-ihat through life,
yea, even till the dark portals Of death, have
opened 10 receive my cold remains, this hear!
shall be betfolhed 10 none other Though
the fends of the neither region. should beset
me in visions through day, and dreams by
night, by the Holy Rood. swear, we shall
unite, though it be as the bride and groom Of
DEATH" and rising from her knees, she pres
sed The hand of Alfred, who imprinted kiss
upon her lips, and murmuring "Farewel!' fled
towards the dwelling of her parent, leaving
tine enrsplured Alfred 10 wend his way, with
lighlened heart, 10 the humble cottage Of his
widowed mother.
Two years had nearly elapsed. since the
parting of Alfred Castlelon with Clara Bern
wisel, the betrothed ofhs heart. Alfred had
sailed for the West lndies where he had aca
cumulaed an ample fortune by perseverance,
snd industry IN his mercantile agencies. Of
a warm and generous heart, he suffered not
The petitions of The poor 10 pass unnoticed-
he was universally beloved-the rich sought
| aInio oG hin NJ
whilst The poor adored him for the benevolence
Of his heart. Had Alfred CasleIon been en-
dued with no stad purpose Of mind, he might
have been aIlured from his pghted vows, and
allied TO the weahest Of The West India mai
dens. But, next 10 his God, Clara was up
permost in his Thoughts. Of her be dreamt
by day, aLd his dreams were influenced by her
vision OF night. He knew no other love, and
would have deemed it sacriege to have spent
a single smile upon another. Not 80, howe
yer, with Clara. The object Of love had been
removed from her sight, and believing in The
false code Of etiquette, that absence conquer
ed love- she wreathed her face in smiles-She
had smile for every body; her heart, like a
guided thing of fashion, contained an admra-
ton for all. With all she Arrted, nor dream
bout to burst upon her head, in consequence
Of her perjury-that the heart about TO be
wrecked by her heareseness, was pleading
for instant demolition that the ghost of pas
Joy was about to rend The ceremenls Of death
and stand before her in all its terror-to these
objects of fear her heart had become calIous
She had been wooed and won by another, anC
the day fixed for their nuptials, was The faleC
day Of AIfred's return Time, whose relent
less course is stayed for none brought rouuc
The hour He came, and with glad hear
bounded TO the cottage of his mother. H
found her pale and deected--a tear was steal
ing over her aged cheek. He kissed it ava
as be aSked Of her the cause. Alas, the frail
ty of the human heart. T was Clara's per
fidy, He heard no more, bu, fel senseIess 1
the floor. He raved of Clara of his bIaste
hopes; Of his old mothers loneliness, an
laughed as the demons Of madness fitted tbrc
The empty caverns ofh.s brain. The Sun wa
down, and Night was slowly dropping he
murky curtains around The couch Of Somnu'
HlSswOOn was over. lie sprang mady fror
! his couCb, and rushed from the house. I'll