The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-02


And in the midst Of this Elysisn dream,
To- GOd--the demon Gold! alas! the creed
or the false land ,n-Bult0er
"And now for the fortune
That hangeth above;
And to bury in battle
My dream Of iove!p
Barry CornVGA
"And so, Margaret you will not promise to
use your influence toward obtaining this appoint
ment for me ~
All, Herbert, do not urge me cannot do
this thing consistently with my own sense Of duty
and am amazed and shocl9sd that y9y should so
far forget your often avowed principles as to de-
sire to engage in this most unrighteous war-a
war without one just cause, or one noble object
but waged against an unonenoing pep PIE, IN tne
rapaci'y Of conquest, and for the extension and
perpetuation of human slavery. You surely are
not hoping thus to win true gloryn
"But am ambitious of distinction, which must
have and which can gain in no other way that
can seen
"And why this sudden thirst for Distinction
This intense ambition is certainly new develop
ment Of your character, and it troubles me more
than can tell. Why is it that you desire great
name more than ever before2n
"If you cannot guess, if you must be told, dear
Margaret, it is that may stand on an equality
with you. Now, your wealth and position hu-
initiate men
"Does my lope humiliate you, HERBERT"
@No, dearestn
"And, yet, is it not of Infinitely greather worth
All the wealth and honors Of the world could not
buy itp
81 know that, Margaret; but, before the world,
cannot be lifted up even by your dear arms to a
position have not earned. | cannot consent to
receive everything, where ! would give all. |
forgot my manly pride in the one absorbing sense
of my love, when sued for your hand but it has
since made itself remembered and you have felt,
without understanding it, in what you have called
my strange moods.' Your noble love is to me
the crown of life, yet can never wear it in
-Asce until the world shall acknowledge my right
to it.
"Now, as have said, your influence with your
uncle may gain for me the command Of volun.
teer company. have a bold heart and strong
arm, and, in q short time, I am confident can
gain distinction as a soldier"
"Aud lose my esteem. Herbert, ! never can
consent to this and tell you frankly, that what
little influence possess shall use against this
mad enterprise of yours Forgive me IL pain
you, dearest but out Of the very love bear you
must oppose you IN thia speak only of love,
though might speak of rights and claims too
strong, too solemn, to be lightly set aside"
"Then must bid you good morning, and try
my fortune elsewhere
Il was in the elegant parlor of a handsome
house in one of our Western cities that the above
conversation took place, between a pair Of be-
trothed lovers, on a morning in the year 1916.
Margaret Neale was an orphan, and the heiress
to great wealth. She was the ward Of an uncle,
with whom she resided. Herbert Moore was
poor obscure boy when he first fell under the no
tice of the father of Margaret, who employed him
in various capacities, gave him fine mercantile
education, and, short time previous to his own
death, advanced him to the post Of confidential
clerk In this situation, which was continued to
him after the death Of his patron, Herbert was
able to support himself well, and to assist his
widowed mother, who had but a small income Of
her own. He was young man of fine intellect,
of warm and generous heart, but Of quick,
passionate temper, and as we have seen, Of an ex-
cessive and morbid pride. His native independ-
ence was not subdue1, but rather augmented, by
the great obligations under which he had been
placed by the kindness Of Mr.. Neale; and when,
after the death Of his benefactor, he was thrown
much into the society Of the beautiful heiress 1t
was "against his very will and wish transgress-
inc y that he loved her and told her of his love.
And this he never would have revealed, had he
not read, in the involuntary blush, the downcast
eyes. and the low, trembling voice Of Margaret,
the sweet secret Of her own gentle soul. After
the ayowal had been made, and the first raptures
Of the accepted lover were past, Herbert Moore
began bitterly to reflect on the light in which he
might be viewed as the betrothed Of Miss Neale--
he, the psnniless protese, almost the creature OF
her father. He feared being thought merce-
nary, poor-spirited schemer, whe had made use OF
extraordinary opportunities Of access to the lovely
young heiress to gain her affection and her for
tune, giving nothing which the world would deem
an adequate return. These thoughts fretted and
stung the proud heart Of the sensitive young man,
until be almost looked upon himself as an upstart
and an adventurer.
Had Herbert Moore regarded the matter In
just light, he would have seen that his best vnd-
cation and assurance lay in the well-understood
character OF Margaret Neale. The parents OF
our heroine were Scotch, Of the true old Cove
nanter stock, and from them she inherited some
strong and peculiar characteristics Though
sweet and loving woman, she possessed vigorous
mind, clear judgment, and hearty independ-
ence--traits and powers which, Of themselves,
raised her far above the suspicion Of being blinded
by romantic passion, or duped into the accept
ance Of an unworthy love. Such was the high
estimation In which she was held by all who knew
her, that any man whom she might have honored
by the bestowal upon him Of her hand and for
tune, would from that circumstance alone, have
been deemed worthy Of all respect
trust that my reader will not think alto
gether i'll Of Herbert Moore, that he did not thus
understand the character and position Of his aff-
anced bride. To him she was all devoted love
and clinging tenderness, and be did not perceive
that her nature was to others more boldly de.
6ned--,hat In society she was strong Impressive,
decidedly, though delightfully."-, individual Her
berts very gratitude to his former patron seemed
] to impress upon him the unworthinsss Of taking