Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-07-24
From the Saturday Evening Post.
AMBITION AND DESPAIR.
GAN OVER TRUE SKETCH"


mon in our day and generation; but MARIA
tives clothed with the air of romance, and
yet all fact, are not of very frequent &C.
currence. Of the latter class is the "ower
true sketch" we are about to lay before the
reader.
Ambition may exalt, or it may destroy.
1t may lead to virtuous renown, or it may
render its possessor the subject of scorn
and execration. To be emulous of deserv-
ing the regard of good men is noble am.
bition; to strive merely for self aggrandise-
ment, for the requirement of wealth and its
too certain accompaniment, transitory
power, is the ambition that blasts in the
very attainment of its object.
A person whom we shall call Stanly was
a few years since, thriving trader on our
western frontier. Early in life he had
married an amiable lady, and their mutual
affectien was rewarded with offspring. The
eldest child, daughter, was beautiful and
vivacious, and soon acquired place in her
fathers heart which she retained unshared
by those who afterwards came 10 call
her sister.
Stanly was esteemed as an enterprising
man, and, for several years after entering
on business, as good citizen. But he was
ambitious; ambitious of acquiring wealth
and influence, and above all, of rearing his
favorite child in manner that would in
sure her the eclat of society. Not an eff
fort, promising success, was left untried, to
increase his fortune. Extensive specua-
tons, guided by happy genius, annually
brought him their rich fruits, and wealth
l.
most sanguine hopes. But legitimate trade
was deemed inadequate to the success of
his cherished hopes; the art of the usurer
came forward with its aid, and extortion
and wrong frequently furnished their mite
to swell his golden Golfers. Meanwhile the
most lavish efforts were being made to CON-
plete the favorite daughters education.-
Teachers were sent for from distant cities
and ill-earned gains were not spared to
add to the accomplishments of a natural
brilliant intellect.
But new field of gain presents itself
and for time, all other thoughts are ban.
ished to give place to one which may exalt
its possessor to a station from which he
may command the sources OF untold
wealth.
An unhappy collision has taken place be.
tween party of Texan rangers. and their
old and unrelenting enemy, the Mexcans-
men who had often laid waste the bloom
ing valley of the Nueces, murdered defence
less women and children, and carried 9TH
ers of their victims into bondage. The
Texan party, however, it is said have OBJ.
served not strictly the arbitrary line OF
separation between the proper soil of Tex.
as, and that of the United States, and have
compromised the neutrality of the latter
by committing on her soil aggressions
against the people of Mexico. The often.
ders are arraigned, and some one is required
to prove them guilty Of the acts charged
Mexican gold is ready to pay for the ser.
vice, and power and influence over the ad.
ministration of Mexican affairs are prom.
ised to those who may accomplish the task
There lUaS man found base enough
for the business: it was S,anly. There
were creatures whose hopes and fears could
be controlled, and who proved ready instru
men,s of his will. They did his bidding
and the noble, the innocent, persisted!
Gold, rich treasure, abundance of wealth
and promises of future power were the
wretch's reward; but the curse of Cain
was on him. 1t followed him; it hung over
and around him; it pressed him to the mad
dening bowl-it claimed the tribute deman
ded for murder, and obtained it through
the murderer's own infatuaton.
But not to hasten at once to the sequel.
The lovely being so fondy regarded by
the doating father, is approaching woman
hood. Teachers have done all that teacher:
might, and accomplishments seldom attain
ed 10, even in more recherche circles, ar,
hers. Yet the last finish is wanting: tina
acquired by association in the most refined
society in the fashionable cities, and tn,
father and daughter have determined on
trip at once of profit and pleasure.
A few months have passed, and the pal
are about to return 10 the wilds of thu
West. With all the Establishments possess
ed by the daughter, evidences of heart ha,
never been predominant; yet amid the ga,
flatterers that had paid homage to her attrac
tions. was one whom she really at engl
began to regard with degree of prefer
ence. He was not wealthy however, an
the views of an ambitious parent wer
an insurmountabe obstacle, at that time, t
the qualification of any prediction sh
might have entertained for this admirer.
Stanly and his child returned to thei
homes. The facilities to an increased trad
with the Provinces of New Mexico, befor
referred to, soon called the ambitious ma
again abroad, and with an investment i
merchandise never before equalled in tn
commerce of the plains. he left his HON
for the trading marts of the far west.
The spoiled child he had left under