Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-03-10
THE ASTER NISHED.
By TiADDEUs W. MEIGIrAS.

| deep aflliciion, as il is made by the hoart tho
| black heart. which is its own destroyer, and
which enclosed in q well-clad form or rendered
| moro apparent to the superficial eye by m GU, i.
ward show OF rags, is all the sainc--a bad mont
tor, prompting to crime. and sowing tho seeds Of
wretchedness wherever the soil Of tho human
weakness or worldly credulity offers unbroken
| surface to tho wicked scedsman.-The owner Of
black heart never escapes tho consequences Of
his dorelictions. Sooner latcr tho wrath Of
offended virtue, or tho thunderbot of outraged
Justice, prostrates tho unfortunate criminal and
loavos. to those who hnvo boon spared the curse
Of national dcpravity, dreadful monument of
warning.
| Black is tho heart that can frame a woman's
| ruin; doubly dyed in awful wickedness 10 the
mind, which, regardless Of tho hottest huma OBJ
legations, can, falsely and by inuendo and dsin-
gen,ous insinuation, soil the name Of a vr,uous
female Such hearts and such minds Iegiti-
mate prey-heir eradication the need Of duty,
aud heavenly task
With swelling veins and quickened pulse We
have often listened to the following tale of retri-
butve justice, related by venerable South Car.
Gilman.
In a small village in tho state that Marion has
rendered famous, dwell young man Of property
and position, named Saunders. With ovcry bless
ing that renders life aught but burthen, Saun-
doris, w:s in the most restless, unhappy and una
mlablc person in town. His sole study was
deceit--his pleasure the gaming tablo-hs de-
light, his life, the pursuit of female ovelincss.
No character was pure, far as this young dc.
bauchee was concerned. BY the force Of his
social position he gained the best society
and seemed on terms Of tho greatest intimacy
with all the ladies' in tho vicinity; and, as he was
progressing In personal appearance, gifted with
an intellect which ranged far beyond the ordinary
estimate OF talent, his company was sought by
many fair demoiselle and dame. More than
ono promising flowor had boon pluckcd from the
n Sfp an hVS nd
to wither and die. Notorious for his wicked pro.
Pensties, no ought 10 have been Stunned by owe.
rything that bore the imprint of humanity; but
there Is something unaccountable in the foibles
and whms of poor human nature; and as tho
moth hutters about tho fire after its wings are
singed in the flame, 80 do we rush into glitter
ing pit, or knowingly embrace knife concealed
IN elegant drapcry. So much for moralizinr--
now for sketch.
In overy village there orc always moro bellies
than on. as we'll as rival factions in favor of
males who claim the right to lead tho fashion.
and set the tastes and opinions of the miniature
community of which they form part. BY the
gay-fiies and would-bo gay and fashionable pco-
plc all that Saunders said and did was emulated.
He drank vino until it got the better of him
his companions often become intox.
lcated. He gained deeply-so did his associates.
virtues (spears of grass in desert Of sandy we're
suffered to rcmain unnoticed. Tho sensible DOR.
ton OF the inhabitants despised him and pointed
TO poor young lawyer, named Wright, az tho
model of a moral, honest, industrious and WELL
meaning man, whose heart was in the right place
and in the horizon Of whose future were stars Of
brilliant promise. As a natural CONSEQUENCE
Saunders hated Wright, and urged his companions
10 insult him whenever the proceeding would b
4 measure of safety. These insults, up to tho
lime to which we about to refer, had been
few for several rensons, viz: The parties rarely
met, inasmuch as Wright never frequented the
village pot-house, and Of course did not ioin tho
extravagant pleasure parties made I'd
'y his wealthy enemies. The most Of his leie.
ire time was spent at the cottage of q beautiful
Toung girl whom no nrdently loved, and whose
condition IN life, humble his own, offered no
bstacle to their union. Saunders had mover
'ecn able to mako the acquaintance of Mary.
Though no had, Mt dinner, publicly sworn to
accomplish her ruin. She had always manifest.
ID disgust of his character. His name had never
'assed her lips save whom coupled with m avow.
i of her dislike for him. " Saunders can van.
uish any girl in tho village savo Mary Buridon!''
vas the common assertion jestingly made whom
lis gallantres were brought up a. matters Of
conversation. Thus affairs stood in tho Docsm.
er Of 10.
II was coda bitter cold night. The snow
7as unusually deep for that region, and the fros-
Y dir pierced oil tho wooens that careful aad
lrifty house wives could heap upon their son.
III Husonnus' IN SNORT tho weather wan 50 cold
tat seighing party. composed Of Saunders and
IS clique, had abandoned their project Of going
Ut, and settled themselves comfortably beforo
'e -" broad and comprehensive fro place in tho
ar-rocm of the village tavern.
" Hurrah! To the ladies who were to have {
one with tonight" said Saunders, mersily,
Using glass Of punch to his lips.
The toast was drunk uproriously. and tho noise
I'd hardly subsidized, ere the door opened % I'd.
it young Wright! Had q congrevs rocket On.
red the room. greater Advertisements could not
i've been depicted on every countsnanee. Glass
were uneeremonously set down. and inouirine
ances were rapidly thrown, from ons rsvelss
the other. 20 palpably that Wright must have
,ticed them.-HoXeyer hs very nuiaflx fnoIr !.