Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-07-11
WHO COULD HAVE BELIEVED TT

There lived in Vienna young man Of
rank and fortune, who bore strong re.
semblance to many other young men oil
that and every city, for he was dupe to
all the folies of fashion and high life
He combined flexible heart with hand
some person it had cost his mother a
great deal OF trouble to make him what is
called a puppy; but, by indefatigable dill.
igence, she had at last effected her pur.
pose. All the ladies', consequently, loved
him, and he loved them all in return. Ii
| has been said that once or twice his at
tachments have even been of more than
months duration, but never did he inn
pose any restraint upon himself or the OBJ.
ject of his affections, by an irksome fidel-
I ity. He possessed the incest power OF
perception, whenever any word or look
summoned him to victory but he always
had the good manners to pay every at.
tention to the clock, when it announced
the hour of parting.
With these qualifications Ae was certain
of success among the ladies'. He paid
his devoirs to all, and was at last tired of
oil. In one of his moments of torpid sati.
ETY., our hero had returned home before
supper. Happy is he who feels the time
least oppressive when at home--ae be-
longs 10 the better kind of men. Our
young court threw himself upon the sofa,
stretched his limbs, yawned, and so forth.
Suddenly it occurred to him that he was
married. No wonder that we should
have forgotten it, since he himself only
just now recollected it. "Apropos, said
he, and rung the bell: servant entered.
$50 to your mistress, ask If | may have
the pleasure of seeing her." The servant
listened atten,ively, not believing the ties.
timony OF his own ears. The count re-
peated his orders, which the servant at
length obeyed, shaking his head as he
went. The countess was the amlable
daughter of country gentleman-she
was flower, which, from the pressure of
the atmosphere, dropped, but did not
quite wither; to avoid ennui, she had no
resource but to swim with the tide OF high
life. She and her husband sometimes
met--they never avoided, nor ever court
ed each others society. Before marriage
they had seen little Of each other, and at.
ter it they had no time to devote to sucn
employment. There were people enough
who spared the count the trouble of admir-
ing his wife's projections, and if they
made no impression On the heart, they,
at least, gratlied her vanity.
Her husbands message was delivered
to her at q moment when her state Of
mind was much the same as his; she knew
not what to think of this unexpected visit;
she replied, however. that she should be
happy TO see him. He entered, hoped he
was not oublesome--took chair-made
remarks on the weather--and recounted
the news of the day. The conversation,
as far as related to the subject of it, was
quite common, but bis vIvacty, and Ame.
LAS genius, inspired i. with interest
The time passed they knew not how; the
count look ed at his watch--was surprised
to find it so late, and requested permission
to sup with his wife. "With all my
heart" replied Amelia, "if you can be
content with my homely fare" Supper
was broug ht--lhey ate, and were merry,
without being noisy. This calm pleasure
possessed, to them, the charm Of novelty;
they were both pleasant wishing to appear
so, as is generally the case with most
people. They were quite new acquain.
tances-,he hours flew swiftly away, and
the time for retiring to rest being arrived,
the count took leave of the countess, high
ly pleased with his visit.
The next day he was invited 10 a con.
cert, and did not learn, till it was late,
that one of the vIrtuosos being i'll, the
concert was deferred. How was he to
pass the tedious EVENING" He inquired
as he passed, after his wife, and was in
formed she was somewhat indsposed.
SWELL" thought he. common civility
requires that should wait on her, and
ask her personally how she does" He
sent message, requesting that he might
be allowed to sit with her ill supper, and
was very politely received. He was
cheerful, lively and gallant. The supper
hour arrived, and this time Amelia begged
him to stay. He had been invited to a
cassine party after the concert, notwith-
standing which he remained with his wife,
and their conversation was quite as pleas
ant, and less reserved than that of the
preceding visit.
"Do you know" said Amelia, "that the
party to which you were invited, would
find a little trouble at discovering the
cause of our absence" He smiled and
paused for a few moments. 81 must tell
you something in confidence" began he
at length, while he was playing with his
fork, something which you will perhaps
think rather candid than gallant, you
cannot imagine how much you are I'M
proved since your marriage?
my mariage." answered Amelia, In
q jocose tone, 81 believe il took place
about the same time as our own"
every true. my lady," replied he, "but
it is fnconceivable how SO happy an al
teration can have taken place in you.-
At that time pardon me--yon had so
much rustic bashlulaess, it is scarce pos
sibIe to recognize you, your genius rs no
longer the same; even your features are
much improved"
swell nay lord" rejoined the countess,
without wishing to return the compll-
ment, all that you have said OF me,