Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-02-16
MIs0ELLANEoUs READING.
From the Union Magazine.l
A TALE WITH A MORAL.
BIZ cArHAR!NE sEDG WICK.

dreamed was sitting on an eminence
where the whole scene Of life was before
me; seas, plains. cities, and countryside
world and its actors. An old man, with I
the noble head and serene countenance
that BELTS wisdom, stood beside me, and
! turned a perplcxed gaze on this multi
tudinous human family, to ask him '.Who
is it that SO many seem confidently cx-
pccting, and so many others TO be bIindly
pursuing!"
..Shc is an immortal, he replied, "whose
home is no. in this world. In truil,, she
rarely visits it. Her companionship is re-
served for those, who, in the language Of
Scripture, "shall see God as he is, for they
shall be like hm"-her same IS Happi
ness. She is never found OF those who
seek her for her own sake
"Why, then, are SO many pursuing
hcr!" asked, "why do they not learn
from the experience Of others!''
1.-THE desire Of her presence he re-
Piled, sis born with them; the child cries
for her; some are ignorant Of the means
OF attaining her; some delude themselves.
and others arc deluded as to the mode Of
winning her; few are willing to pay the
price Of her friendship, and fewer still
will receive the truth that she does not a
bide on earth even with those most worthy
Of her presence. To them her visits are
80 .L
dwell among her kindred, Submission,
Tranquility, Contentment, and Patience.
Take this" he said, giving me curious
eye-glass. sit will enable you to see the
distant, to penetrate every secret path,
and 10 discern untold thoughts
took the glass: it fulfilled his promise.
] now behe!d the whole world in pursuit Of
Of this enchanting being. Some were
crossing the wide sea. some trcading the
wilderness, masses were crowding into
cities, and others flying 70 the country.
in quest Of her. They looked for her
where she was never heard of and what
at first was inexplicable to me, those that
most eagerly sought her, and sought
nothing else, never, by any chance, found
her.
Tired Of my general observation, fl
nally confined my attention to two young
persons who began the course Of life to-
gether. One was beautiful girl called
Brillianta, whom saw in French board
ing.school, with teachers in all the arts
and various branches Of learning.
"Why do they contine me here!'' she
exclaimed, pettishly. "they tell me was
born for Happiness, and | have not SO much
as heard the rustling OF her wings in this
tiresome place. Well, must worry it
through; but when school-days are over,
and am out, and surrounded by friends,
and followed by lovers, and go at will TO
operas and balls, then Happiness will be
my constant compartment
This golden future became Brillianta's
present. saw her wreathed with flowers
and sparkling with jewels; admired and
flattered, and hurrying from one Of gaiety
to another: but instead Of the companion
she presumptuously expected, there were
only Pleasure and Excitement, and at their
heels Safety and WEAKNESS.
"Alas!" exclaimed Brillianta, "IIappi
ness is not yet with me. but she will come
to my wedding-with the bridal gifts and
festivitics-she will take up her abode in
nv luxurious home!" But True Love
was not required at the marriage, so Hap
piness refused to be there. Vanity and
Pride were among the guests. and were
soon followed by the fend, DisaPpoint-
ment. Happiness could not breathe the
air they infected.
a few years passed. Happiness had
never been, never will be here!' eX-
claimed Brillianta. My husband is so
,iresomc! my children teasing my servants
tormenting! will go TO foreign lands. !
will explore other countres-surely where
so many rush to seek Happiness. she must
be found.' And away went Brillianta.
but the chase was vain; she never got SO
much as glimpse OF Happiness, though
she went on pursuing till death overlook
her. A mist that had been gathering
round her settled into darkness, and saw
her no more.
She whom had seen start in the ca.
rser Of life with Brillianta was named Sc
rcna. She came forth daily from home
where all sweet contentments were, from
God-loving and God-fearing parents, TO
her school-tasks. She had an earnest
and sweet countenance, but what chiefly
struck me about her was her unlikelyness
to the rest Of the world. She was not
pursuing happiness. She was too modest
to claim her presence, too humble TO ex-
pect. She was 50 occupied with her tasks
l..A;a. 4h el<, had f;r,,o To, think