The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-10-03

could make up her mind which 10 take
Then she vas long time IN selecting three
out OF Der dozen rings, The gifts oil her fond
parents and god mothers. 10 this situation
the lime slipped away so rapidly that til:
chick vas on The chime of four huiure she
became aware OF her idleness. Il was then
two late and she sal dove and wep, bitterly.
For fortnight the lesson did Sophia
good, and she was pattern Of puncluality
But gradually her old habits revived, she
became as careless as ever, and on every
occasion was too late. Her moher rea.
soned with her in vain, aud at length her
father spoke seriously TO her on the subject
"Sophy," seid he, one evening several
days after he bad requested her to pur
chase certain scarce fabric Of summer
wear for han which was in the MAJ ke,, but
which she had delayed going Tor until i,
was all sold, "your want Of punc,uai,y is
intolcrab'e. Your mother and | /, ard in
deed the whole family. are daily sufferers
by II. Ii you do uoI correct the habit ii
VIII be the cause Of incaleulal lc evil TO you
through life. Many battle, on which
hung tho fate of ao empire, has been los,
by some che being too late on the ground.
Many woman has lost the affections Of a
husband, never 10 recover them, by being
too late. warn you. my dear child,
agalns, the habit, for | see 1t growing
stronger daily, and unless you rally a, once
against u, YOU will find yourself enable TO
conquer H."
Sopby burst into tears, Cor her father
had never spoken thus TO her before, and
rlsng. leii the room, with a determination
to prof, BY his advice. And, again for
several DAYS, She struggled 10 be pulciual
IN her engagements, bot now she fund ths
effort so much harder than before that size
became discouraged, and biter several
am attempts TO cuuquar, she r,lapsed into
her old Indifference, and became the slave
0. her habit.
Al eighteen Sophia was one Of She most
beautiful girls OF her native city, and her
hand was soush, for by crOsd Of adm
fefs. or these she selected one every way
worthy of her. He was a young lawyer
rapidly rising to emineuce, for his legal a,
iainments and e.oquence sere both Of
superior order. lie had long been the
prize for which numerous Of her friends
conionded, aud hen Sophia found him at
her feet a natural thrill Of pride could aol
be avoided.
Bot II was from 90 selfish vanity that she
ACCEPTED him. His eslIpablr qualities had
dcopcncd tho impression which his iiae Por.
son at litss made on her, and she soon learn
ed to love " alter Conrad with all the IN
,ensliy Of a woman's first ati,ctiou. She
anticipated his slighes, Wish, and regulated
her conduct accordingly, aud her opiniuus
we're always moulded rs she though. hIs
would be framed, for Sophin was one Of
those trusting beings who give or 70 the
one they love, satisfied that 10 should be
their eAcmp.ar in e'ofy thing.
Conrad returned her love milh equal fer.
vency, but with more discrimination. AS he
became better acquainted with her he saw
nany faults at which he grieved bar Of a
sauguine nature, he hoped lha, lime and a
desire to please him would induce her 20
conquer. Nor was he wholly disappointed
Many Of lie slighier blemishes on her char.
acier disappeared Under the kind culture Of
her lover; bot there was Que fault which
Conrad found, for a long tine, al his ef
forts abor,lvn to remove. II was The fatal
habit Of procras,iuaiion.
! IL IS true that Sophia made many reso
lutte attempts 10 conquer thus habit, but her
chains had been forged 50 strong that she
found the task oil breaking them moro d.til
cult than ever. Her old weakness con-
slantly returned TO her, aud though she
continued her struggles, they haaly grow
weaker. Unable or unwilling 10 perseverc
IN Ihe arduous undertaking, and conscious
OF her lovers dlsapproba N Of tbs habit
she resorted to every means 10 conceal 1t
from his eye, 50 that, at length, Conrad be-
gan to hope tina, she was cured Of failing
as the slave OF which, he felt, she could not
continue 10 possess his respect, and with
him respect was necessary 10 love.
0oc evening" Conrad called on her an
hour after his usual ,lme. 1t was a bitter
winter night, and the snow was knee deep
in the streets, laying in drifts against the
doors where The - lnd had piled II.
| am SO glad you have come" said
Sophia, running TO him to assist IN taking
OF his cloak, " for was afraid something
had happcncd to you. Where have you
been -
81 have been dearest he said, taking
her hand aud leading her TO the sofa which
Ind been wheeled up opposite 10 tho ire,
"lo SEQ poor gid, once my laundress'
who, fear, is dying, and dying, too, 10 the
most AFFECT poverty. She broke blood.
vessel yesterday, and is very dangerous,
but with care, she may yet 1--we, the physI
clan says. There was no FIRE in the bare
room when went there, and the snow beat
ing through the broken panes had collected
IN a pile OF the foot Of the bed. Oh II
was miserable sigh, "-and be placed bis
hand before his eyes. AT length he look
cd up and resumed, "promise me you will
90 there tomorrow early to-morrow--for
| said would send one TO see after her
wants, and YOU know il would be more del