Worcester daily spy., 1851-07-18
p" Correct Thyself."
FROM THE FRENCH.


Some years ago, there lived, in the neighborhood
of Paris, retired military officer of high rank and
large fortune. Possessed Of many valuable quail
ties-brave, just and honorable, there were two sad
drawbacks to his characterize was violent-temper-
ed and avaricious. He married beautiful and gen.
tie girl, whom he fondly loved, but who, neverihe-
less often sought her chamber, weeping bitterly at
the harsh and unjust reproaches which her husband
heaped on her when the meres trile had excited his
ungoverned temper. Often, indeed, she felt terri
fled lest his violence should be more than verbal
and although his fits Of rage were regularly follow
ed by penent apologies, she trembed at the thought
that he might day forget himself so far as to
strike her.
1t was very sad to see the happiness Of union
formed under the most promising auspices, thus de-
stroyed by blata and unmeaning fits Of rage, which
each day became more frequent. Ii required all the
young Mlfs tie snaasHpge 9f and tefTor Which she felt
One day when the husband, in the presence Of
several visitors, had given way to more than
usually outrageous explosion of temper he retired
to his own apartment, whittier he was followed by
one of his riends-a true friend, who never shrank
from administering faithful reproof. Without re-
garding the officers anger, the dying embers Of
which still gowed ercely, this friend earnestly and
severely lectured him for his unkind and unjust
duct. The ulprit listened with gloomy air, and
then replied: -B
|
my own conduct far more strongly than you can do,
and make many resolutions of amendment, but with
out avail My unhappy temper Is too strong for
me-; and consequently, in few hours after the Bit
terest repentance, find myself again breaking out.
IT'S terrible!''
''It is, indeed, very terribleH'
81 have need Of strong lesson, and shall give
myself one.' So saying, ne took several turns up
and down the room, pacing with determined step,
ia on tha
closed Evidently some internal conflict was going
on. Suddenly he stopped, opened a casket which
lay in his scruoire, and took from bank note Of
thousand francs His friend watched him will,
curiosity not knowing what he was about TO do.
He twisted the bank note, applied one end OF it to
lighted taper and then throwing it on the hearth
stone, watched until the curling fame had quite de-
voured the Igh: and precious paper.
His fiend amazed at an action which would
seem strange for any one, but especially for
whose parsimony notorious, ran to him and
caught his arm.
"Let me aone,'' said the officer in hcarse
voice.
care you mad?''
"No.';
''Do you know what you have done?''
81 do: have punished myself" ~
Then, when no trace of the note remained, save
little light dust, the hero, for so we may call him,
added firmly
81 solemnly vow that, whenever lose my tenn
per, will inhict punishment on my love ofmOney"
81 admire your conduct, and approve Of your
sacrifice said his friend
The promise was faithfully kept. From that
time, the avaricious man paid for the faults Of an
ill-tempered husband. e'
After every outbreak, he appeared before his own
tribunal and submitted to its self-imposed penalty.
The condemned culprit then opened his casket, and,
pale and trembling with suppressed agitation, took
out note and burned it. The expiaton was always
in proportion 10 the crime: there was regular
scale Of penalties, varying, according to the nature
of the offence, from 100 to 1000 francs. a n
A few of these chassements had the happiest ef-
feet on both the defective phases of our heros char
acter BY degrees he became not only mild and
good-tempered, but generous and ready TO dispense
his treasures in ways which, if agreeable 10 his
friends, could not, however, be esteemed more use
ful to himself than the notes he had bravely con-
signed to the flames.