The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1849-10-13
MiGS0LNlhl1ANMWUS
The Marriage CruCibic.
A THRILLING TALE OF HIGH AND Low LIFE

] a
TThose Of our readars who have ever seen actec
or have read that beautiful modern drama OF 81,
Edward Lytton Bulwer "The Lady oI Lyons
need look no farther than the following sNe'ch
for its foundation
was born in one of those little ham
lets situated in the neighborhood OF Mon
telmurt, in the south of France. My faith
er had made many fruitless effort to raise
himself above indigence. His last resource
in his old age arose from the exercise OF a
talent which he had acquired in his youth,
that of bellows-mcndlng. This, too, was
the humble profession which was destn-
ed to follow. Being endowed by nature
with quick and lively faculties, both of mind
and body, soon grew skiIul in my trade
and having an ambitious spirit, set of for
Lyons, to prosecute my calling there. !
was so farsuccessful, that became great
fayorite with the chamber-maids, who were
my chief employers, and whom my good
looks and youth interested in my favor.
One evening, however, as was return
ing home after my days round, was ac-
costed by four well-dressed young men,
who threw out few pleasanries on my
profession, which answered i'll style OF
good-humored railery that seemed to sur
prise and please them. | saw them look
significantly at one another, and heard one
of them say. This is our man. The
words alarmed me, ,butm fears were speed
lily dispelled. 'Rouperon, said one, you
shall sup with us. We have a scheme
which may do you good. If you do not
agree to it we shall not harm you, but only
ask you to keep our secret. DO not be
afraid, but come with us" Seeing all OF
them to be gentleman in appearance, did
not hesitate to accept the offer. They
conducted me through number of cross
streets, and at last entered handsome
house, in an apartment of which we found
six other young men, who appeared tc
have been waiting impatently for my con-
ductors. A few explanatory words passed
respecting me, and soon alterward we sal
down to supper. Being young, thought
less, and light-heartcd, gave way TO the
endowment of the hour, and vented a sue
cession of pleasantrics which seemed high
| Iy to please my chance companions. Bu
they all grew silent and thoughtful ere long
and finally one of them addressed me thus
'The ten persons whom you see before
you, are all engravers and citizens Of Ly,
ons. We are all in good circumstances
and make a very handsome living by ou
occupation. We are all attached to one
another, and formed a happy society, til
love stepped in to disturb us. In the stree
Of St. Domingo there lives a picture mcr
chant, man Of respectable station, bu
otherwise all ordinary parsonage. lie has
however, daughter, creature possessc
of every accomplishment, and endowe
with every grace, but all whose amabI
qualities are shaded by one dcfect-pridt
insupportabcpridc. As an example ofth
way in which this feeling has led her t
treat others, | will own that myself pal
my addresses to her, and was approved c
by her father, as one by birth and crcum
stances much their superior. But whi
was the answer which the insolent gi
gave to my suit? DO you think, sir, thi
young woman likeme, was born iornotf
ing better than to be the wife of an eOgr'
verP
'Hcr great charms and her pride hay
been equally felt by us ALL continued tt
speaker, 'and we hold that she has cast
slur on us and our profession. We, ther
fore, have resolved to show this diSdaini
girl that she has indeed been born TO Il
honor of being the wife Of an engravcr.-
Now, will you addressing me) venture
become the husband of charming woma
who, to attain perfection, wants only
have pride mortified and her vanity punis
edp Yes answered |, 'spurred on
the excitement of the moment; | col
prohcnd what you would have me do, a
| will fulfill it in snch a manner that y,
shall have no reason to blush for your =
pill
The three months that followed Il