Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-05-11
THE JOURNA AL.
THE HUMBLE LOVER.
Hv WILLIAM coMsrocK.

were engaged in pleasing conversation, they
did not immediately preceiVe that they were
by a young man, who took every
occasion 20 approach The lady and. touch her
with his elbow.
At length, however, they we're surprized
by the tones of strange voice near them.
Let thai woman alone-she is married
woman-I know her we'll Dropher at once,
You ought TO be ashamed to play your praHks
with married woman
Both turned and saw the intruder, who
had, by this time, placed himself at the lady's
side, ants offering her his arm, continued
Let 90 ofhim, good woman, and come
with me. I'll take you home TO your family
Surprised and irritated, the young husband
was on the point of lie ling the officious med
dIer to the earth, with blow OF the fist,
when il occurred to him that the lad must
be either an idiot or a Bedaniiie; and, up
on closer survey of his countenance, he
was convinced that the offender was irres-
ponsible for his actions. The same high
sense of honor that had once induced the
Souiherner TO risk his life in single combat
with the asperser of his reputation, now check
ed bis anger and unnerved his arm. He
scorned 10 offer violence 10 a man whose
mind had lost the guidance of reason. He
commanded the youth TO desist, but he was
not attended 10.
The young man persisted in following the
couple, offering the lady his arm, and bid.
ding her husband release her and give her in
TO his custody. This singular scene began
10 attract the notice OF others.
Men and women stopped 10 gaze, and, as
the Soulherner lifted his eyes, he saw a
chimney-sweeper grinning from ear to ear,
while surveying the group below from his
lofty perch, in the top of chimney, on the
opposite side of the street. The situation
OF the gentleman was peculiar. He was on
The point of releasing the lady, and permit
ting her TO enter store, while he SHOULD
deal alone with The intruder, when another
individual joined the group. This was a
middle aged man, in The dress Of an ordna-
ry mechanic, who laid his hand on The shout
der OF the youth, and siernly dade him go
home.
The unfortunate obeyed, but not until he
had repeated his demand that the married
woman should be released.
The stranger, who proved to be the faith
er of the offender, then approached the
Southerner, and politely thanked him for his
moderation, apologizing on behalf of the
youth, with more grace, and in better language
than could have been expected from a man
in green jacket. The Southerner became
interested IN the conversation of the other,
and, when he reached his hotel, he invited
him TO his room, where the following histo-
ny ofihe unfortunate youth was given by the
father:
My unhappy boy does not always behave
in SO rude manner. In order TO alleviate
his distress of mind, he occasionally swal-
lows glass ofllquor. 1t requires but a
small quantity TO upset his reason, and then
he is prey of vain imaginalons. When free
from the influence of ardent spirits, he is per-
fec,ly sane, and behaves dscreeily. | have
already limited that he is suffering from dis
appointed love.
Several years ago procured HIM a situa-
ton in merchant house in this city. He
was an under clerk, and gave great satisfac-
ton TO his employer, who boarded him in
his own family. 1t was generally believed
that he would become an excellent accoun-
tant and salesman. The merchant had sew
eEal daughters. The younges, was near the
age of my son, and was very beautiful. She
was just ripening into womanhood, and her
graces made an impression upon the heart
Of the lad, which can never be effected. But
am little before my story, for | should
have told you that Edward-for that is my
sons name-was always remarkable for hI.
candor and sincerity. He knew nothing o.
art or disguise, and, even in his early child
hood, be never had recourse 10 assimilation
TO hide fault. Ii seemed impossible fo
him to swerve from the truth on any occasion
1t was this peculiar disposition which led hin
TO take every thing for gospel that was tolt
him, as he had no conception of fraud or de
ceipt. was pleased with the simplicity o
character which so strongly marked my son
and forbade any one 10 Jest in his presence
lest he might gradually lose his regard 70
truth. Thus his mind was guarded from er
ror, and he mover lost his sincerity. You ma
we'll beliege that my sons unwaveriug integ
Fiiy recommended him TO the merchant
He was, indeed, very much attached TO tn
boy, and Treated him more like a son than
hireling.
Il am sorry TO say the young ladies' did no
eccti ~ dutniiO thtS sImpltCltf Vi cudIdCio
in my son. They were rather disposed I,
take advantage of il. and appeared TO imae
inc that his want ofdupliciiy was an evidenc
of shallow inisllect. But, sir, my son wa
not fool. He was ignorant concerning
evil, but wise in that which is good Unde
waiting truth is not always adapted TO tn
furtherance of worldly purposes. The foun
daton is too broad for petty schemes or wore
ly policy, and its superstruciure pierces III
shadows of death, and is lighted with the gle
ries of eternity. The strictly honest and Sill
cere men is, therefore, thought fool for b
pains The beginning and the end of hi
work cannot be taken in at glance, lik
those works of human wisdom which are con
pleted on earth.
'My son frequently paid US visit, and h
atlength began TO speak of the merchant
youngest daughter IN terms of praise whic
let us INTO his secret. candidy told hi
that he was laying up sorrow for himself,
as it could not be supposed that the prou
daughters of wealthy merchant, would CO
descend TO smile upon the son of poverl