Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1844-12-07

some of whom did sincerely pity him !;
and some who expressed pity felt no
sorrow !; for Merlin's industry and sue
cess had been silent reproof to their
idle and dissolute habits. But all who
saw him felt as men always feel for the
unfortunate, that he had fallen from
his sphere, and was no longer to be
reekoned in their constellation. Yes,
Pity, in her most amiablc mood, looks
down upon her object, as on one far
below her own station--a different
species of humanity. None who pos
sess the noble pride of independence
will sue for pity, or endure her sooth-
ing. Only the meanspirited, or the
crushed in heart, can love her voice.
"Merlin called on Mary in the cv-
ening. She received him graciously /;
and after the usual compliments, said
-'My father tells me that your loss last
night was very severe 1T was he
replied. 1T has left me only my
health, my faculties, and your love,
Mary and with these 1 yet hope to be
supremely happy 'But what course
do you intend to pursue p she inquired.
Il have not decidcd,' he said II hope
however, that your father will assist
me to commence again in the world
Il do not see how he can assist you,
except he were to give or loan you
money, which, of course, you cannot
wish him to do. Have you no wealthy
relation to whom you can apply T" q
Believe he said, shat ! have already
told you that am an orphan, and, as
far as l know, unconnected. have
none to look to if your father rejects
my suit III were in yonr situation,
l would go and seek my fortune in some
new country she said Il have heard
Of men who, commencing with very
little, grew rich in those new settle
ments.' Il fear,' he answered, that !
am not fitted to encounter the priva-
tons and hardships Of such an under
taking; besids, could you be willing to
share them with me 2 .Ihope you do
not consider me bound, under existing
circumstances, to fulfil my previous en-
gagement,' she said /; IF you love me,
sou cannot wish to take me from the
bosom Of luxury to the abode ofpenury
and care. No, no, Mr., M Rim, l
must be released. ] do sincerely pity
you, but ! cannot consent to make my
self an object Of pity by becoming your
wife, A pang like death-agony
quivered through Merlin's heart, but
with it'came feeling ofwounded pride
and contempt that sustained his spirit.
MARY Derwent,' he said, 'you have
broken a sacred covenant-you have
thrown from you a heart that truly,
deeply loved you-and you may
live to repent the words you have this
evening spoken. ! release you from
your vows to me; and here bid you an
everlasting farewell = And so they
parted.
"Mary smiled as he shut the door
after him. THAT fire. she said, was
a lucky thing for me it furnished a
good pretext for me to rid my selfof a
ehild's bargain.
"I ought to bless the fire = unused
Merlin, as he walked down the street
with a quick step, shut for it ] shold
have married heartless woman, and
been forever miserable =
6" He proceeded to the shop in which
he had formeIy worked, and was joy
fully received by his old employer
One day, lacking a peg on which to
hang a saw, he felt in his pocket, and
drawing me out, fastened me in the
wall, directly opposite the door. In
this situation / remained, witnessing
many things amusing to me, though un-
important in detail, for whole year /;
during which time, though Merlin sigh
ed frequently, he sang and ate, and
slept heartily, and kept his health and
its roses.
"Have you heard the news, Fredp
said fellow journeyman, entering the
shop rather hastily one morning
What news . asked Merlin, in an IN
concerned tone. 'Why, that Mr.. Der
went, being a hundred thousand dol
lars worse than nothing, has commit
ted suicide Dreadful dreadful y cri-
ed Merlin with deep emotion, and his
eyes filled with tears. what will be-
come of his proud daughter 2 She
will become a better woman, hope,
returned the other. She was tOoproud.
and has never been known 10 perform