The Columbian fountain., 1846-05-07


fortune, to feel that though we lose the OBJ
ject, the image can never be snatched from
our hearts; to feel that though the vicissi-
tudes of life may rob US ofall, it cannot de-
privc us ofthatjoy, which is entwined with
the very tendrils of our existence; and,
above all, to be blessed with that bright
hope, which none but the virtuous can feel;
that five cannot realize OH earth, we wiH
in Heaven. The vicious cannot feel such
love; the base, the low, the degraded never
love; passion may warm them, but their
souls do not feel; vice deadens the finer SEN
sibilities of their nature, and they are brute
in all but form; 'twould be blessing for
them if they could thus destroy the re.
sponsbilities of immortal beings.
But to our tale. Robert De We're was
one of those few individuals who appear
to have been brought into the world for
the special accommodation of fortune, as
sole objects for the tickle goddess to shower
her favors upon. Born of wealthy parents,
blessed with form cast in the mould Of
manly beauty; and, above all, endowed with
an intellect, mind capable of fathoming
the deep recesses of science, or soaring in
the lofty flights of poetry, a soul capable
of bearing the toughest storms of life with
the fortitude and resignation of man, or
smiling with almost boyish glee at "triaes
light as air." he possessed that happy COM
bination Of spirits which acts as the sun
shine upon the face OF Nature, clothing the
broad fields Of earth in veil of sparkling
light. Twenty summers had glided into
eternity since fond mother first bent low
ingly over his cradle; since father first
gazed upon his tiny features with pride
and joy, and he had arrived at that age
when men begin to feel that they must
mark out path for the future, or COM
mence treading, with energy and power,
the one that friends or inclination may have
selected. De We're felt this, and had come
to conclusion to commence the study of
law on the day he arrived at age. AT this
critical period of life most men imagine
they undergo change, pass the barriers of
boyhood, enter the busy scenes of manly
struggle, and strive to forget in exciting ac-
ton, the joys that have passed away, and,
though tits folly to regret, tits pleasure to
remember. But what trifles turn our foot
steps from the marked path-how slight
cause will suffice to change the whole ten
or of our EXISTENCE word, look, an
action, to which, at the time, we attach no
importance, will not only alter our future
course in life, but change the very princi-
Piles of our nature.
"WelI, Robert" said his father to him
one day as they sat in the parlor convers-
ing upon the future, 81 suppose you will
find some fair and bright-eycd girl in p
-, who will not only steal your heart
from yourself, but your affections from
your old friends and home"
Robert smiled at this idea Of his fathers,
for the thoughts of love had never entered
his mind in a tangible form, 'tis true, he
had dreamt, as the poet dreams, of press
ing to his bosom some fair and lovely be-
ing +; had raised in his mind an ideal of her
his heart could adore but, as yet, twas
all fancy.
"This is doubtful but if the first should
be so, she must be an angel indeed who
could induce me to perform the last"
"l hope SO Robert, but don't place too
much confidence in your own strength !,
few imagine the power of love until they
feel it. But come, Pm going to take a
short ride, to call upon new tenant of
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