Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-09-08
WHOLE NUMBER So.

| Florence.
'sBecause am not the best person. Flo
| renee There is another. Florence, who wo'd
do II better. one whom he admires, who stands
IN position that would forbid his being an
cry "a person. cousin whom / have heard in
gayer moments say, that she knew how to
say anything she pleased, without offending
any one.''
.Oh, Edward said Florence, coloring,
''do not bring up my foolish speeches against
me-and do not speak if | ought to inter-
fere IN this matter, for indeed | cannot do it.
| could never in the world-I am certain |
could not.'
And so, you. whom | have heard say so
many things which no one else could say or
dared 10 say-you, who have gone on with
such laughing assurance in your own powers
of pleasing, shrink from trying that power
when neble and generous heart might be
saved by it. You have been willing to VEN
ture great deal for the sake OF amusing
yourself and winning admiration, but YOU
dare not say word for any high and noble
purpose. Do you not see how you confirm
what | said of the sefshness of you wo-
men?''
But you must remember, Edward, that
this is a matter of great delicaey.s'
"fhe word dehcacy is charming cover.
ing in all these cases, Florence. Now here
is fine noble spirited young man, away
from his mother and sisters, away from any
family friend who might care for him, tempt
ed betrayed almost to ruin, and few words
from you, said as a woman knows how to say
them, might be his salvation. But you will
look coolly on, and see him go to destruction,
the effort, like the man who would not help
his neighbor out of the water, simply because
he never had the honor of an introduction to
him.
But, Edward, consider how peculiarly
fastidious Elliot is-how jealous of any
attempt to restrain and guide him."
Sand just for that reason it is that no man
Of his acquaintance can do nything with him.
But what are you women made with SO much
tact and. power of charming for, if 1t is not to
do these very things that men cannot do9
1t is a delicate matter-true; and has not
Heaven given you fine touch and a nice eye
for Just such delicate mattersl Have you not
seen a thousand times, that what might be re-
scented as an impertinent interference on the
part of a man, comes to US a flattering eX-
preston Of interest from the lips of IL
man %
''Well, but cousin, what would you have
me do-how would you have me doitP ask
ed Florence earnestly.
50 on know that Fashion, who makes so
many wrong turns, and SO many absurd ones,
has at least made one right one, and now 1t Is
fashionable to sign the temperance Pledge
Elliot himself would be glad to do it, but he
foolishly commitnl himself against it III the
outset, and now feels bound to stand to his
opinion. He has been, too, rather rudely as
sailed by some of the apostles of the new
state Of tAings, who did not understand the
peculiar traits of his character; In short am
afraid he Will feel bound to go to destruction,
for the sake Of supporting his own opinion.
Now if | should undertake with him he might
offer to shoot me; but | hardly think there Is
anything of the sort to be apprehended in your
case. Just try your entertainments you have
bewitched wise men into doing silly things
before now; try now, if you can't bewitch
this foolish man into doing wise thing"
Florence smiled archly, but instantly grew
more thoughtful.
s.Wen, COUSIN" she said, 81 will try
Though / think you are rather liberal in your
Inscriptions of power, yet can put the matter
to the test of experiment"
Florance Elmore was, at the time we speak
of, in her twentieth year. Born in one of
the wealthiest families in - highly ed
ucated and accomplished, idolized by her pa
rents and brothers., she had entered society
as one born to command. With much native
nobleness and magnanimity OF character, with
warm and impulsive feelings, and a capabili-
ty of every thing high and great, she had
hitherto lived solely for her own amusement,
and looked on the whole circle by which she
was surrounded, with all its various actora,
as something got up for her special diversion.
The idea of influencing any one, for better or
worst by anything she ever said or did, had
never occurred to her. The crowd OF adml-
rers. of the other sex, whoas matter OF course
were always about her, she regarded as so
MANY sources of diversion; but the idea OF
feeling any sympathy with them as human be-
mos. or making use of her power over them
for their improvement, was one that never en-
tered her mind.
Edward Ashton was an old bachelor eous-
in of Floyence's, who, having earnee. the title
of oddity IN general society, availe'. himself
OF. il to exercise a turn for telling the truth to
the various young ladies' ofhis acquaintance,
-; Esloro5scn We