The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-06-14

five long years; and all that we car
tell him Of what happened in that pc
riod is, that Mr. Denison got safely tc
his new abode, and that he had during
all that time steadily fulfilled the duties
ofhis situation. That Miss Norris was
Miss Norris still, and that, as such, she
was evidently on the other or wrong
side Of that line which has puzzled US
so much; and that increasing years bad
brough, with them slight infrmity Of
temper.
At the period where our readers a1d
ourselves have just arrived, Miss Nor
ris had risen at her usual early hour,
and had hardly remarked to the sister
next in seniority on the beauty of the
morning, before she excIaimed--"Well,
| declare this very day five long years
since Mr.. Denison lett us; poor fellow,
| wonder how he is getting on" She
thrust her head farther through the
opened easement as she spoke, and be-
slowed sigh upon the fragrant creep
er that was climbing up to the window.
Then followed cross word for her
sister and scolding for the maid; and
expressions of pettlshnesS escaped her
till they sat down to breakfast. The
second cup of bohea was poured out,
and with her favorlte dish Miss Norris's
temper was gradually attaining its
equanimity, when the servant entered
with the morning letters. A packet
of rather unusual size caught her eye,
and induced her to depart from her
usual custom diminishing her meal before
attending to business.
"Why what have we here?m said
she. "Dear me, what can it be? Why
it bears the postmark, and sure
Iy, surely know the hand-wrtng."-
She was SO excited that she could hard
iy stop TO break the seal; she almost
tore the envelope, open, and there lay
a small piece Of bride-cake, decorated
with white satin bows, and embossed
card bound with silver lace, and on
which was neatly written-"With Mr..
and Mrs.. Denison's best respects"
Poor creature! The hope that had
so long animated her--the fancy she
had SO dearly yet so secretly cherished,
were annihAated in moment. That
alone which could have made life desi-
rabo to her was lost for the want of
asking. She was being by herself IN
the world, and all hope of peace or com
fort was gone forever. She pressed the
parcel convulsivtly between her hands, |
until its rich contents fell in crumbs at
her feet, and mingled with the scalding
tears of bitter sorrow which she plenti-
fully shed. "Oh!' cried she, in the
bitternessoi her soul, ooh! had | known !
it would have come to this! had | ever
dreamt that my foolish, wicked pride,
or my desire to make a prudent match,
would havI lost me Edward Denison, |
would have gone on my knees to him
ere he left the town. but am lost
and hapess creature. Henceiorth the
world will have no pleasures for me; I
nave no irIenu--tO one 10 care about
TO pity or comfort me; am
left to myself alone"
Should any Of our readers not imme-
diateIy perceive the lesson which "The
Bnde-cake" conveys, let us he permit.
ted to apply it. There are so many Of
both sexes who, like Miss Norris, tam
per with their affections from false DEL
Icacy, from reprehensibIe pride, or,
worse by far than all, from interested
feelings, that we cannot think the sim
pie history ofAnn Norris risaltogether un-
called for. The best and purest feelings
Of our nature are often s.iiled at the
moment when, perhaps, they would be
productive Of c life of consummate
and repentance comes at
lime when it is inetlectual--whcn those
who would have made fit and loving !
lelpmates for life have sought in others
he pleasures which we desired, and {
ire sharing with others the happiness
which might have been ours. /