The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-04-05
state for it, replied Edward; but yet it is

SO.
But is he really so bad 2
He stands just on the verge, Florence
just where word, fifty spoken, might turn
him. He is noble creature, full of all sorts
of fine impulses and feeling, the only son of
a mother who dotes on him, the iGolized
brother of sisters who love him as you love
your brothers, Florence,and he stands where
a word, or look-so they be of the right kind
might save him. @
And why, then, do you not speak to
him 2 said Florence.
because L am not the best person, Flor
eDce. There is another who could do bet.
ter-one whom he admires, who stands in
a position which would forbid his feelings
angry--a person, cousin, whom have heard
to say any thing she pleased, without often
ding any BODY
20, Edward, said Florence, coloring, do
not bring up my foolish speeches against
me-and do not speak as if ought TO in
terfere in this matter, for indeed, cannot
do il. l never could, in the world; am
certain could not.
And so,' said Edward, you, whom
have heard say so many things which no
one else could say, or dared to say-you who
have gone on with such laughing assurance
of your own powers of pleasing, shrink from
trying that power when noble and gener-
Gus heart might be saved by it. You have
been willing to venture great deal for the
sake of amusing yourself, and winning ad.
mIratIon, but you dare not say word for
any high and noble purpose. Do you see
how you can confirm what said of the sell
fishness Of you womenl'
But you must remember, Edward, this
is matter of great delicacy.'
That word dehcaey is a charming cover
all in all these cases, Florence. Now, here
is fine, noble spirited young man, away
from his mother and sisters, from any be.
loved family friend who might care for him,
tempted, betrayed, almost ruined, and few
words from you, said as woman knows
how to say them. might be his salvation.-
But you will look coolly on and see him go
to destruction, because you have too much
dehcacy TO make the effort. like the man
who would not help his neighbor out of the
water because he had never had the honor
Of an Introduction
But, Edward, consider how peculiarly
fastidiors Elliot is--how jealous of any Of
tempt to restrain and guide him.
And just for that reason it is that men
OF his acquaintance cannot do any thing
with him. But what are you women made
with so much tact and power of charming
for if it is not to do these very things that
we men cannot do? Have you not seen a
thousand tunes, that what might be resented
as an impertinent interference on the part
of interest, from the lips of woman
well. but, cousin, what would you have
me do q? how would you have me do it 2
said Florence earnestly.
You know that Fashion, who makes so
many wrong turns, and so many absurd
ones, has at last made one right one, and il
is now a fashionable thing to sign the tens
perance pledge. Elliot himself would be
glad to do it, but he foolishly committed
himself against it in the outset, and now
feels bound to stand TO his opinion. He has,
too, been rather rudely assailed by some of
the apostles of the new state of things, who
did not understand the peculiar points of his
character in short, am afraid that he will
feel bound to 90 to destruction for the sake
of his own opinion. Now, if | should un.
dertake with him, he might offer to shoot
me; but hardly think there is any thing
of this sort to be apprehended in your case.
Just try your entertainments you have be-
witched wise men into doing foolish things,
before now; try. now, if you can't bewitch
a foolish man into doing wise thing
Florencesmiled archly but instantly grew
more thoughtful.
We'll, cousin she said, 1 will try -
Though | think you are rather liberal in
your Inscriptions Of power, yet can put the
matter to the test of experiment.
Florence Gilmore was, at the time we
speak of, in her twentieth year. Born in
one of the wealthiest families in
highly educated and accomplished. idolized
by her parents and brothers, she had enter.
ed society as one born to command. With
much native nobleness. und magnanimity
OF character, with warm and impulsive feel.
ings. and capability of every thing high
or great, she had hitherto lived solely for
her own amusement, and looked on the bril-.
liant circle by which she was surrounded,
with all its various actors. as something got
up for her special diversion. The idea of
influencing any one, for better or worse,by
any thing she ever said or did, had never
occurred to her. The crowd of admirers,
of the other sex, who, as matter of course,
was always about her, she regarded as so
many sources of diversion; but the idea of
feeling any sympathy with them as human
beings, or of making use of her power over
them for their improvement, was one that
had never entered her head.
Edward Ashton was an old bachelor cous-
in of Florence's, who having earned the IT.
tie of oddity, in genteel society, awaited
himself of it to exercise turn for telling
the truth to the various young ladies of his
acquaintance, especially to his fair cousin
Florence. We remark by the bye, that
these privileged truth tellers are quite me-
cessary of life toyoung ladies', in the full
tide Of society /; and we really think it would
be worth while for every dozen of them to