The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-06-21

"
affections. 1t is true, he poor, but he possess
ed strength to work, and an ambitious mind that
bade him aim at perfection in his trade. He had
loved her long in secret, but had never ventured,
while her prospects in life renamed fair, to address
her lover, but now stepped forward to offer his
true and affectionate heart. Alas s!maice and vice
were at work to embitter snatch perhaps forever,
thathappness from her which was within her reach!
In the same house with her, on the first floor lived
female, Marie Lafont, smooth-tongued and fine in
appearance, by which means she knew how to lay
hold on Isabellas affections, who young and mex
perienced, deemed to see in her afriend interested
in her welfare and anxious to promote her happi-
ness.
Oh! Isabella, couldst thou but see that heart,
which, black and deformed, made it game to un-
dermine thy virtue and poison thy peace! it"was
in vain that Isabella tried to enumerae the virtues
ofyoung Louis to her whomshe considersdas ana
ternal friend. Lafont knew always when to throw
an unfayorable light on him, and pointed out, IN
sharp words, the course Of life which Isabella would
be compelled to lead at his slde-praising wealth
and luxury as earth's most desirable goods! Alrea-
ly had she the satisfaction of witnessing dispute
between the lovers, and seeing that Louis had left
the house in anger, she dared to accomplish long
contemplated plan-to persuade Isabella to lend an
ear to the offers off wealthy but unprincpled fash
ionable, who, enamored by her extraordinary beau
ty had prosecuted her with dishonorable proposals.
She had been now with her, exerting an her power
of persuasion, and, Isabella when left alone, being
conscious that her better feelings begun to waver,
tried to calm her agitated mind in prayer
"Oh! mother!' she cried; "thou who hast led my
steps OF infancy; who, with care and untiriDg love
hast watched my progress through life, thine eye is
closed, that sweet voice is hushed; no more can
crave counsel from thy lips; no more listen to thy
words of wisdom; descend then spirit Of my santed
mother, hover round me in the hanr Of danger, and
show which path to pursue"
she arose-Ait was utter darkness. Isabella sought
her couch, and, with the dear image Of her mother
floating before her fearful eyes, she closed them in
profouhdsleep.
CHAPTER II.
Five years had elapsed. In a saloon, decorated
in style where taste and magnfcence We'd with
each other, reclining on an ottoman of the richest
materials, we find Isabella again; the costly hat and
velvet cloak carelessly thrown aside, show that she
has returned from her morning ride, buth coun-
tenance, though glowing with the recent exercise,
exhibits to the penetrating eye, the bitter sorrow
which has taken deep root in her breast How Of
ten does outward splehdor hide an aching heart!
In vain Isabella tried to quiet her conscience; the
word GUILT met, in large letters her eyes wherev-
sershe directed them. And Lafont! the first cause
of this misery, where was she? Wen had she stu
died her interest. Knowing our heroine to be ola
generous disposition, she had calculated that Isabel
la, once placed in the possession of wealth, would
heap it upon those who knew how to win her favor,
wherein she succeeded but too well, by means of
fattery, and protestations Of love and friendship
While Isabella now sat and gave audience to all the
gloomy thoughts that came crowdins upon her, the
artist was announced whom friend had recommen-
ded to furnish some costly articles for the equip
ment of an adjoining room. As he approached,
Isabella looked up, but what language can portray
her felings when, in the renowned artist, she be-
held Louis, her former lover! Her excitement was
too great to permit her to speak; but after she had
mastered her agitation, she addressed him in the h
miliar tone offormer days, and, her voice trembling
with emotion, she gave vent to her troubles, and,
craving his forgivness, besought him to throw the
veil of oblivion over the past, and to make her his
A glance, in which pity was mingled with pride,
met her eye, as he repliedE"Madame, from my
ancestors inherited principles Of right and duty;
though poor and of humble origin, my family has
never vet numbered "a name not corresponding with
good and, before me, the ideal which is held out to
every American citizen who aspires to something
noble, will bow only TO genius and virtue"
He turned, abruptly, and left her to all the ago
nes Of remorse, which she in vain sought to stie"
CHAPTER III.
Among the many promenades which New York
boasts Of, the Battery is undoubtedly the most beau
tiful; thousand grand and striking objects greet
the gazers eye as he surveys, with delight, the char
ming scenery before him. The sparkling water,
bearing, proudly, many apufing steamer, to and
from the husting city; the foam-covered waves
dancing gaiy, and glttering like numbeEiess da-
mopds in the brilliant sun. and the many notes Of
the little warblers that have nestled in the surround
ing trees; all this forms one of the loveest spots in
the universei How bitter is the thought that vice
creeps with her destroying breath into such place,
and dares to rear its false yet enticng form into the
very face ofnature's greatest charms,
To tho left, alta corner of one Of the neighboring
streets, the passer-by could discern little cake
shop, where an old woman offered for sale all vari-
cites Of that line. Her appearance was miserable
-evilpassions had drawn deep furrows on her face,
and it was with difficulty that traces Of the former
features ofthe once dashing Lafont could be detect
ed-but she it was. And though on the verge Of
the grave, she had not given up her degraded habv
its, but had added to her other sins the base crime
Of pilfering. Thsre offers Itself, just now, an OPP
portunity to exert her diabolical faculties.
Ca ,t,ot ,,o<r aeaYnefraao d;racf;no har hirriad