Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-11-29
4 Nig..st Before the Wedding.

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eve shall be very happy together"
said Louisa to her Aunt, the evening be-
fore the wedding-and her cheek was ting
ed with q rich color and her eyes spark led
with heartfelt happiness.
When u young bride says s'we," it may
easilyb e ina agined whom she is talking OF.
81 doubt it not, dearest Louisa answer
ed her Aunt, ''take heed only, that you re-
main as happy"
| go! no fear Of TINT, my prudent Aunt,
| | know my faults; but my love for him viii
other, we can never be unhappy, and oui
affections cannot CHANGE
"Ah!', sid her Aunt, 'syou talk like 4
girl Of nineteen on the eve Of marriage, III
the hey-day of hope and bright anticipa
tions. Dear child d-believe even the heart
grows old. The day must come when the
rapture of passion will decay--when the
delusion is over, and we stand revealed in
our real characters. After custom has
robbed beauty Of its dazzling charms-af.
ter youth has departed or shadows mingled
with the light Of home, then, Louisa, the
wife may talk OF the excellencics OF her
husband, or husband OF the amiable quail
ties Of lis vile But The day before the
wedding. such cncomums 60 for nothing
with me-"
81 understand you, dear aunt. You
mean to say the virtues only of each can
give lasting pleasure to the other. Now
tor myself say nothng-tor can boast
only will; but yon canuo. deny tina, my be-
trothed is the best and most deserving Of
all the young men of this town! Aro not
all the virtues that lead to happiness bloom
ing in hin?' +-.. -.
II will do you both justice,'' answered
her relative, ''and acknowledge that viz
tues bloom, in both; can say that to YOU
without Gettery. Louisa. my love, they
only bloom, and need lifeline Of rain
and sunshine to ripon thom. No blossoms
are moro deceitful at first opening We
cannot know in what s>il they arc rooted
Who knows the hidden heart!
NAY: my dear children, even could
you always be Us you are, youth and beau.
ty would lose the power to charm, with
habit and their constant presence. Men
grow soon weary of the 10, eliest face. Be-
sides, your husband mus! grow old himself;
and then youthful manners will ceuss to-
please him. Your habits, your tastes,
would not be congenia."
Louisa sighed. s3 -
81 could store your memory" resumed
her aunt, ''with precepls 10 gard your hap
piness. | would tell you TO beware Of the
first quarrel; never to contend, even in
jest; TO have no secrets from each other,
loast the springs Of confidence be insensi-
bly, snapped; to boware of the interference
OF relations. But these are maxns which
your prudence will sufficiently Impress up
on you, and their observance ai best will
have but a negative effect.
"W ould you have the Secret Of pe.petu-
al lovcliness? ltsiss treasu,s-not tea-
ture or complexion, but in the soul. Men
worship beauty for the inward graces Of
which il is the pledge. Wou.i you know
how to keep tho soul uir?-religion is the
only true secret for that.
"Thus we see, my love, how l:ulo we
can depend upon personal per ection; how
little on mental eyceliencies or ntuiable
traits Of character. But the virtues born
of, and nourished by religion, are INNER
lal-seek them from Him who is ths au-
thor Of religion; and seek them daily from
Him. Be assured thus, that you will ever
remain fair and amiabIe in the eyes of
your husband. and be blessed in every re.
la,on Of life"
Louisa flung her arms around her aunt's
neck and thanked her with fearful eyes for
her lesson.