Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-06-13

wealth, and the command of train of obseouious
servants, could create were still allowed to iii nm
the measure of her days
Among my few tried and valued friends If tho
opposite sex, was one who afforded living proof
OF the doctrine of compensations: since Heaven.
ID denying him all appliances of fortune had bes-
lowed upon him every thing most desirable in the
human character. Frank F. possessed the richest
gus OF commanding and powerful intellect; his
brilliant Imagination, his sparkling wit. his fervid
fancy, his clear judgment, his correct taste. were
equally exhibited in his writings and in his daily
conversation; while his fine, genial qualities his
kindness OF heart, his warm affections his tender
ness oil nature and his susceptibility to all gener
Gus impulses, made him of the most attacbable
as well as one Of the most admirable of men. His
person was remarkably fine, his head would have
charmed phrenologist and his sparkling, vivid.
expressive countenance, left one no opportunity of
crlticislng the irregularity of feature which would
nave married less noble face. He had passed the
green sprlng-time of youth, but was in the very
PRIME OF manhood and had been called to depict
tne character which came nearest my beau ideal of
the sex | should have drawn the portrait of nv
friend Frank
Such was the person who accidentally met Mrs
weldon, when, in the third year of her wdowhood
she discarded the more ungraceful portion of her
weeds and returned to the gay scenes she had once
adorned. Her long seclusion, and the quiet touch
OF sorrows had given soitness to her manners and
added new charms to her beauty, and Frank soon
became deeply and desperately in love with the
gentle widow. | must confess that was both dis
appointed and greved by this uptoward chance. for
esteemed Frank too much to contemplate with
patience his attachment to so frivolous character
The devotion of such heart to such an idol SEEM
ed to me little better than Dissertation. But the
voice of reason has little influence over the die
taes OF passion, and though availed myself of the
privilege of long tried friendship, in nv remon-
STRANGE against the folly of such an attachment
found all my arguments of no avail.
" You do not know Mrs Weldon" said Frank 10
me one day, when had been discoursing at some
length OF her utter incapacity of loving as he de-
served to be loved "you do not know her, if you
believe her to be incapable of strong emotions
There are some hearts in which, as in the burning
soil OF tropical climate, passion-fowers spring up
spontaneously, but there are others where are found
only the sweet wild-fiowers of the gentler affec-
lions, until culture brings forth the perflmed bios
SONS of summer cline. The full strength of
Lizzles womanly nature has never been called
FORTH The ioyousness of temper, which TO YOU
seems an evidence of frivolty, is but the overflow
OF deep and living spring of tenderness which
lies unstirred within her BOSOM"
And can you believe, Frank, that in all the
changes which come over womans character
from childhood to youth-as a maiden and as
Wlfe-can you believe that those deep affections
could still remain hidden, if she really possessed
them?"
surely, surely" was the earnest rcply;" she
never knew the strong love which binds daughter
to the mother who watches over her infancy and TO
the father who guards her youth; a feeling some
what fal, but less devoted in its character feel
ing OF mingled respect and gratitude bound her to
her husband; the maternal instincts, which in SO
many hearts supply the place of passionate emo
tons, have never been awakened in her heart; her
duties have all been performed without the need of
earnest afections her character is but half devel-
oped"
"And now, at eight-and-twenty, you expect to
discover and bring to light these precious treas
ures:"
81 do; nay, more, have already succeeded in
inspiring emotions such never before disturbed
the calm current of her life"
wait till the moment of self-sacrifice comes,
and then test the value of that which you deemed
fine gold, Frank; if she could renquish all her
selfish indulgencies, and adapt herself perfectly
and entirely to your fortunes, | might give credit
for some energy of feeling and action, but her po-
sltion places herself above the reach of such tr-
al and you will be more likely to be spoiled by the
luxury with which your marriage will surround YOU"
Good heavens my dear madam, is it possible
you do not know the penalty attached to her union
with me? Miss Weldon upon whom her husbands
sudden death left her entirely dependent, has de-
cared that in the event of a second narriage she
shall withdraw the allowance she has hitherto per-
mitted her to derive from the estate"
"Can it be possible? What then is to be done 2"
"For my part, l am glad OF it, since it obvi-
ates my only objection to wedding the object of
my tenderest love. | would not have the world
give me credit for prudential marriage, and when
we are united Lizzie will be as poor as myself"
Sand has she consented to be your wife at such
q sacrifice:"
81 have great mind not to satisfy your ungen-
erous doubts. We are to be married next week."
But what are you going to do, Frank with SO
perfectly useless wife,"
tt1o in +1,oNt a~t .I,tE I
of all imprudent and unsuccessful people,"
laughed heartily at this wild project. "What,
take Lizzie to q log-cabin, and expect her to cook
your bacon and knead your bread? Why, Frank
she never rises in the morning until eleven o'clock,
and then cannot breakfast except upon French
chocolate served up in Sevres china"
"She will learn better, and be all the happier in
the novelty of different kind of life"
l shook my head with most knowing express
sion OF doubt and dissatisfaction, and our CONVEX
saton ended.
second time saw Lizzie arrayed as bride,
and if she had lost some of the freshness of her
glad youth, fancied she had gained something
more elevated and noble from the daily contempla-
ton of moral excellence in her lover. But when
looked Frank, and remembered that he was
now, in the lowest ebb of fortune, and that he was
uniting to his own the destiny of creature nursed
in the lap of luxury could have wept at my own
melancholy forebodings.
Miss Weldon fulfilled her threat, for her indig.
nation at Lzzie's second marriage knew 10 bounds
and the gentle widow was portioness and penni-
less bride. few weeks were given to the enjoy
ment of society," and then the newly welded pair
wendell their way to the far West.
Twelve months had elapsed after their departure
when was gaddened by letter from Frank f.
"How you would WONDER he said "if you could
look in upon us now. Lizzie is actually cooking
piece of bacon for my dinner, and its savoury smell
mlnges with the rich steam OF corn bread which
she has just placed upon the table. Our house is
divided into two apartments-one is our paror,
kitchen and hall, the other is our bed-chamber,
and Lizzie's taste has contrived to give an air of
comfort to the desoate dwelling Instead of rising
at eleven, Lizzie is up with the sun, and her first
care is to bring me cup of soft, warm water for
dcv thon VIZ, , Ie nort Of pe cortry Oss every
weekly luxury) While am performing this OPP