The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-08-24

least touch his regard Tor Mary, to whom
he wrote long letter, fully declaring the
nature Of his feelings for her, and begging
her to give him an interview. They met
according to his wish, when pledges Of at.
lection wcro exchanged From that hour
Edward Baldwin was all tho world 10 the
true hearted Mary. They met frequently,
at the house OF friend. In due time,
thoughts ofmarriage came, aud the lovers
began to look forward to union. The de-
sire on both sides TO csnciliate the father and
gain his consent, was very strong ond mn
attempt was made BY the young man to el-
feet this lie called upon the old gentle
man, and stated the relation that existed
between himself and Mary, and earnestly
desired his appreciation and consent To n
marriage union. But all awaited not. The
young man he looked upon as carna' mind
ed, and given to worldly ioilIes. In his
eyes mere pleasure seeker; enc who,
without religious principles, was nilont up.
on tho ocean Of life, possessed Of neither
chart or compass. To resign his daughter
into the hands Of such n man. he consider
ed little better than M act Of insanity, and
he would never consent TO il.
The final result was, TINT Mary left her
fathers house secretly, and WINS married To
Baldwin. When she wrote home, conioint-
~ with her husband, announcing tho fact
and earnestly desiring that opposition to
what was inevitable might no longer exist,
the old man returned no answer. They
wrote again, but he remained silent. With
her baud upon her heart 10 rcprcss its az
i.a,ed pnIsations, Mary then went back to
her fathers house, aud sought forgiveness.
But her fearful, impIoring, face could not
move the intlexibIc old man. Sternly he
wnvcd her away, uttering as be did so, the
words
You have dissolved the ties between US
yon nrc no longer my child"
With q isinting spirit, Mary went back
TO her home, and fell, with gush Of tears
and cry OF pain, upon tho breast Of her
husband. lie asked no question, for he
understood all too well. But ho held her
tightly to his bosom, while he cursed the
evil spirit Of unforgiveness that had 30
wrongcd his innocent, loving, gcntlc-hcort-
cd bride.
| No farther attempt was made on tho part
Of The Young couple, 10 bend the old man
from his stern spirit Of rcscntmcnt. Month.
passed, nav, even years went by, and Dca-
con Prescott, in all that time, had not once
seen his daughter, who shortly after her
marriage, removed to another city with her
husband. Mary correspondent with her
sister md mother, but her father would not
sec her letters nor hear with patience any
allusion that was made 10 her. But he was
not permitted 10 indulge his hnmor unoppo-
sed. The mother often strovc with him,
and sought bv every mems in her power,
10 restore Mary Ia her old place in her faith
cr's heart. She did not know how desolate
his heart was without the smiling image OF
his lavoritc child, nor how strongly nature
pleaded Eor her 10 he brought back ngain
into his acknowledged affections. But he
could not forgive m met ot dsoIcdicnce like
that. Mary had chosen her own way
She had gone from his side. and taken as
her companion, Que whom he utterly dislik-
cd and disapproved. Tho act was wrong.
and she must suffer tho full penalty.
II happened, two wears or so, from the
time that Mary left her fathers house and
wiliIo he still retained his unbcnding po-
siiion towards her, that the old man was in
COMPANY where some one spoke lavorably
of 'rnoral fctions.' Tho person who did 50
was stranger Ia the Deacon aud knew
nothing Of his family history.
moral falschoods, Won had better say
was hsl-rudcly uttered by the Deacon.
no. said the person to whom this was
addressed; 'moraI fictions, or rather, ilnng.
mary histories, in which we see, ms it were.
tho hidden impulses ol the heart embodied
in living action, and thence VIC are able
more truely TO understand aud sympathizc
with our icllow-men.'
Sheer nonsense" replied the Deacon
'No wirc-drawn apologies like that will do
They cannot mike lie the truth. Il is
lying, sir, lying! and yon can mako moth
ing else of it,
What is lieg was asked.
'Anvthing that ia not true
And uttered with m intent 10 deceive 2
Certainly
'Thcn a fictitious history, written with
intelligent skill, aud regard to Just prin-
ciplcs, is not lie, for it is true picture Of
human nature, and seeks not to deceive any
one. The end in view is 10 do good, and
the means employed injure no one, nor Vi
olate single law in the Decalogue.'
Is not living n violation Of the Dcca-
logueg said the Deacon.
In what commandment is il forbid
deng
Thou shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbour
Very well. Now. wish to illustrate a