Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-07-31
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Saturday Evening Post.
THE EVILS OF EXTRAVAGANCE.
by SUSAN ANGUS WHELPLEY.

Huspdhui us lhey WeTe sedtSu "'o'0 az
late hour by the dying embers of what
had been cheerful fire. "But YOU seem
strangely altered 1t is now twenty years
since our desinies were united, and, dur
ing that period, | have discovered many
Of your folles, but not until tonight thi.
trait in your character" Yes thought
Mrs Flemming, who appeared absorbed
in deep reflection, he has discovered ma
ny ofmy follies, and yet he loves me-
Now, III can but accomplish my present
purpose may yet retain his Affection
Thus reasoned this woman, whose ruling
passion was extravaganza. Possessing
many virtues, Mrs Flemming was beloved
by her friends and the favorite ofthe fash
ionable world, and, had it not been for
this glaring defect in her character, she
might have held up as an example for the
imitation of others.
Mrs Flemming was the only daughter
Of parents whose blind indulgence, and
unbounded liberalty, had early sown the
seeds which produced so rank and uxur
Gus growth, Her wishes, from child.
hood, had been gra,ified Money in a.
bundance was ever at her disposal: either
to expend for her own qualification or that
of others. Her generosity was unbound
ed, and, for eighteen years, she had scat
tered her fathers wealth with a lavish
hand upon her lavortes; and although,
at his death, she inherited his property,
which her husband left sorely at her
disposal, it was all gone before her Sec
ond daughter, the subject of this tale, had
seen her eighth year
Mr. Flemming well knew the grand de-
feet in the character of her to whom he
entrusted his happiness but he thought, as
her good sense would correct this fail
ing; and there was so much about Caro-
line Eustace to love and admire, that his
strong mind was made captive. He knew
that she was capable of enduring alec-
ton, and that her whole heart was his
He knew that she possessed noble gen.
erous soul, and thought she would scorn
to do mean action; and, although he
had been her husband twenty years and
her prodigality and extravaganza had
been the means of his failure in bust
ness three times, he had not until that
night, ever supposed her possessed ofone
mercenary feeling. And now, that, which
in the present conversation had shocked
his feelings, was the discovery of her will
lingness TO sacrifice the peace and happi-
ness of heriyoungcst daughter for the gid.
ed phantom wealth. Little did he suspect
the motives that influenced his wife: tina,
she desired her daughter might become
the possessor of great wealth, that she
might have the means Of liquidaing debts
of long standing of which, he was per-
fectly ignorant.
Mrs Flemming had not dared TO re-
veal her repeated extravaganza and folly
TO her husband she loved, and whose "af-
lection she desired to retain; and yet she
ST. love by every means in her power, to
influence him to compel his daughter
Catherine to unite her destiny with man
whose wealth was his only recommends
ton, and who was old enough to be her
Grandfather.
Mrs Flemming had, within few months
made many solemn promises to her hus-
band, not to spend a cent beyond the
weekly allowance he granted her. Her
dupllcity now caused herto blush, and
she, thought, if the veil could be remov-
ed, and he could see her heart, he would
accuse her of something worse than that
OF cherlshing mercenary spirit. Often
had she determined to put bounds to her
extravagance;-often had she drawn a
line over which she had resolved not TO
step; oftened had she limited herself in
some purchase, and while rejoicing over
her self-denial in one act, before she was
aware of it, her ruling passion would
triumph in another, and her good purpose
be all swept away. So fatal are the ef-
fects ofbad habits, early formed;-s de-
structive is their influence in after life.
Mrs Flemming tenderly loved her
daughter Catharine, and, had she been
called to close her eyes in death, would
have been a sincere mourner. Little did
she realize that, in accomplishing her
present pursose, she might nhict living
death upon her. She beheld the rose up.
on her cheek, and the light sparkling in
her eye, and how could she think of death
aud her at the same time. She we'll
knew the affections of Catharine were