The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-12-25

Helen nor yOurSelI nave counted the cost OF
the matter. Reared as she has been, in afflu-
ence and fashion-surrounded by the rich and
gay-I really fear that should you continue in
your present employment she as well as your
self, will find many distractions to your hap
piness, which may not now be regarded"
"Then you consider wealth and fashion.
with the distinction they give, all essential to
favor and happiness, do your? inquired Sum-
merton.
"No-not exactly answered Bouting-
"yet as society now is, almost So
" However that may be-" replied Summer
ton, am resolved that i'll my life shall be one
exception at least. And think you will ad-
init, have made no unenviable beginning. l
have no fears that, with proper regard for my
own character, l shall command all the
respect and consideration necessary to happi-
ness-or necessary to the happiness of my
wife, if am so fortunate as to get one."
Do not say it, Bob; it is impossible. Ger
tainly your own good sense-your sense of
honor is too correct to permit you to think of
reducing such being as Helen to the position
you speak of" remarked Bouting with emo
ton.
&C. have yet to learn that there is any dis
grace in labor. You do not admit it in prac-
tice, Mr.. Bouting. True, yours is different
honest or lucrative. The man who works out
his own prosperity by his own head and hands,
is. in my opinion, far better entitled to respect
than the useless cypher in community, who
consumes what fortune has bestowed upon
him, while despising honorable industry"
" That is all true, Bob-but then we cannot
change the customs of society, you know"
I'VE may not be able at once to change So
ciety, but we can do much toward rectifying
existing evils by our own example, and where
there is conscious merit, there will be means
of happiness and usefulness. Besides, mans
object in life should not be the distinctions
which are conferred by mere lovers of fashion.
He should have higher aim. He should seek
to elevate all-and to assimilate to such as he
seeks to elevate, where he can succeed in no
other way"
81 must confess, Bob, am down in argu-
ment. Your views are in theory, correct"
"Then I should be false to myself and to
the world, not to act accordingly"
"That is true. But have you property suf-
fcent to enable you to carry out your princi-
Piles, and to maintain your positions Much
depends on that"
"All is uncertainty, Mr.. Bouting riches
are quite as uncertain as poverty. But so far
as wealth is concerned, I am happy in being
able 10 assure you I have abundance for all
common contingencies"
Summerton upon saying this. arose to de-
part.
Mr.. Bouting called him back-a new idea
seemed to have entered his mind and he en-
quired
"How would it suit you to become part
ner in my businessT
81 should have no objections to investing
few thousand dollars in profitable business,
nor to being employed in business with your
self-but not as condition of respect. l
cannot consent to an endorsement of the doc
trine that one kind of honest employment is
more honorable than another. But as | have
few thousand dollars not in immediate use,
if you can invest it to advantage, it is at your
service
How much can you spare. Bob ;" said Mr..
Boutng.
Fifteen or twenty thousand, think !" re-
piled Summerton.
Mr.. Bouting appeared greatly surprised at
this amount of wealth, as he had been pleased
with his views-and resumed
"You certainly must have been very sue
cessful in business"
eyes, very ; but I suppose many people
would think it miracle that drayman should
be either wealthy or intelligent.
"There is one honorable exception, surely,
said the merchant.
Not wishing to remain longer, Summerton
arose to depart, still leaving the merchant ig-
norant of his real name, remarking as he did
So:
81 am to understand, Mr.. Bouting, that my
advances toward your daughter would be dis
agreeable to your"
"No sir, cannot say that. confess was
taken by surprise. But l own l am pleased
with YOU, and do not doubt you will be all
that could be desired. If Helen loves you,
snail not oppose you. l have resolved never
to interfere, authoritatively, in the choice of
her husband But it will crafty me, if II may
know a little more of your history, and your
real name"