Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1849-12-12
Alisfellanp.
From Godey's Ledy's Book for December.
THE GENTLE WARNING.
BY ANNA w1LMor.

sDo not accept the offer, Flor
ence," said her friend, Carlotti.
! A shade of disappointment wen,
over the face of the fair girl, who
had just communicated the pleasing
fact that she had received an offer o.
marriage.
"You cannot be happy as the wife
of Herman Leland,' added Carlotti
elbow little do. you know this
heart" returned the fond girl.
cit is because | know it so well,
that | say what | do. Ii your love
be poured out for Herman Leland,
Florence, it will be as water on the
desert sand.''
"Why do you affirm this, Carlotti?
GA woman can truly love only the
moral virtue of her husband
81 do not clearly understand YOU
cit is only genuine goodness oil
heart that conjoins in marriage
"Well?'
"Just so far as selfish and evil af-
fections find place in the mind OF
either the husband or wife, will be
the ratio of unhappiness in the mar
riage state. If there be any truth in
morals, or in the doctrine of ahini-
ties, be assured that this is so. 1t
is neither intellectual attachments,
nor personal attractions, that make
happiness IN marriage. Far, very
far from it. All depends upon the
quality of the affections. If these be
good, happiness will come as ma
tural consequence; but if they be
evil, misery will inevitably follow so
close union.''
"Then you affirm that Mr.. Leland
is an evilminded man?"
''Neither of us know him we'll
enough to say this positively, Flor
ence. Judging from what little I
have seen, | should call him a selfish
man and no selfish man can be good
man; for selfshness is the basis OF all
evil"
81 am afraid you are prejudiced
| against him, CarIotti.'
''If have had any prejudices in
the matter, Florence, they have been
in his favor. Well-educated, refined
i'll his manners, and variously &C
complished, he creates, on nearly all
minds; favorable impression. Such
ali impression did | at first feel. But
the closer | drew near to him, the
less satisfied did I fell with my first
Judgment. On at least two occa-
sions, l have heard him speak lightly
of religion
"Of mere cant and sectarianism,
perhaps
"No; he once spoke lightly of a
mother, for making it point to re-
quire all her children to repeat their
prayers before going to bed. On
another occasion, he alluded to one
of the sacraments of the church in a
way that produced an inward shud-
der. From that time, l have looked
at him with eyes from which the
scales have been removed; and the
more seek to penetrate beneath the
surface of his character, the more
do | see that repels me. Flor
ence, dear, let me urge you, as
one who tenderly loves you, and
earnestly desires to see you happy,
to weigh the matter well ere you
assent to this PROPOSAL
"Pm afraid, Carlotti,'' said Flor
ence, in reply to this, "that you have
let small causes influence your feel
ings towards Mr.. Leland. We all
speak lightly, at times, even on sub
jects regarded as sacred; not because
we despise them, but from causul
thoughtlessness. 1t was, no doubt,
so with Mr.. Leland on the occasion
to which you refer"
awe are rarely mistaken, Flor
ence," replied Carlotti, Gas to the
real sentiment involved in the words
used by those with whom we con-
verse. Words are the expression Of
thoughts, and these the form of af-
fections. What man really feels
in reference to any subject, will gen.
orally appear in the tones of his
voice, no matter whether he speak
lightly or seriously. Depend upon
it this is so. 1t was the manner ir
which Leland spoke that satisfied
me as to his real feelings, more then
the language he used. Judging him
in this way, am well convinced
that, in his heart, he despises religion
and no man who does this can posi-.
bly, make right-minded woman
happy"
The gentle warning of Carlott
was not wholly lost on Florence
She had great confidence in the
judgement of her friend, and did not
feel that it would be right to wholly
disregard her admonitions.
"What answer can l make?' sale
she, ,lrawing long sigh. "He
urges IN early response to his suit?
| GsDutv RI vourself Florence dc.