Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-06-07

was surrounded by wealth and luxury
be dragging out the prime Of his life ir
proverty and distress. Yes, she still
remembered the companion of her child
hood. She is woman s constancy and
love. Alas, that it should be SO often
abused.
The evening was somewhat advanced
when Mr.. Merton approached Helen
locked arm in arm with young man
whose dark countenance, raven hair and
eyes, and tall straight form indicated a
native of the south.
"Mr. Thompson, of New Orleans,
my DEAR" said Mr.. Merton.
And then after conversing few mo-
ments, he sauntered to the opposite side
of the saloon.
"Who IS that handsome young man
you just now introduced to Helen!''
asked Mrs. Merton of her husband.
"That is Mr.. Thompson OF New Or
leans, the richest merchant in that city,
and his father was before him. He ar
rived here but the day before yesterday.
l was introduced to him yesterday, and
invited him here tonight, and if the i'm
preston is not felt on Helen's heart,
which has hitherto been so callous, none
ever will regretthe disappearance of-''
"Your protege, Charles Ellis,on, "
said his wife sarcastically.
Mr.. Merton did not answer her, he
only turned away.
AT first when the stranger was intro
duced to Helen there appeared an air of
embarrassment; but it gradually wore off.
and he entered into conversation with
his usual vivacity. In the course of it
she asked him if he had ever been in
the city before.
He replied that he had been when he
was about seventeen years Of age, and
that he had then became acquainted
with several Of mis- own age, whose ac-
quaintanee he. highly priced. Among
those he mentioned was that of Charles
Elliston in particular.
AS he pronounced the name, he bent
his dark eyes full on her and perceived
that she started while, for an instant, ag-
itation was visibly depicted on her coun-
tenaLce. After a moments pause; he
continued
"But l have made inquiries since my
arrival, respecting him, and hear that he
has returned the kindness Of his bene-
factor, your father, with ingratitude, by
leaving his house and going no one knew
whither."
"Oh no, sir; do not believe that; il is
an idle report. He had reasons for leav-
ing my fathers house," and her voice
trembled, and a tear stood in her eye.
Just then gentleman advanced to
claim her hand for the cotilion, and the
conversation was abruptly terminated.--
Charles resigned her silently, but his
heart was full.
1t is strange how the lapse Of few
years between youth and manhood will
change the face and disguise the form;
the slight trippling that little while ago
clambered on our knee, we can scarcely
recognise in the full, stately form, and
staid demeanor Of the man. So it was
with Charles Thompson, and no wonder
that Helen and her father could not see,
in the rich merchant from the south, the
poor lad, who six years before, had left
them with scarce dollar in his pocket.
1t was the morning following the bali
and Mr.. and Mrs. Merton and Helen
were sitting in the parlor, the former two
engaged in discussing some private af-
fairs, the latter with her head resting up
on her hand apparently in deep thought.
The ser want entered and handed Mr..
Merton letter. He opened it, and
after having perused il few moments,
uttered all exclamation Of Joy. Both
his companions looked up. Seemingly
overcome by the excitement Of some un-
usually pleasing news, he approached
his daug ghter and gently patting her upon
the cheek, said
"Come, come, Helen dear, cheer up.
Charles, our own dear Charles has re-
turned, he is in the city, and will be here
in half an hour. Cheer up my DEAR
And he began to pace the floor.
',Sce here" he continued, as splen-
did equipage drove up to the door, from
which young man alighted, "here is
Mr.. Thompson too; how glad ! shall be
to introduce them TO one another"
81 don't see why you should be, "
said his wife. "though perhaps your
Charles, as yon call him, may be as
rich as Mr.. Thompson. You know he
left word that he was going to seek his
fortune"
And she pronounced this last word
with sneer.
"And he hopes he has found it mad
am" exclaimed Charles, who entered
just at that moment; s'thanks TO an all
wise Providence that directed me to my
fathers house. II is Charles that stands
before you.'
With shrek Of delight Helen threw
herself into his outstretched arms, and
wept tears Of JOY on his bosom; and the
old man stood motionless but his lips
quivered, but not with grief.
When they had become somewhat
composed, Charles related to them wha,
had occurred, since he left them. The
joy that beamed in the swimming eyes
Of the delighted as she hung fondly on
her lovers arm. was ONLY euualled by