The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-12-26

a sum Of money muchlarger than any had
before lent him. Icomplied and be went
away, promising 10 return 70 supper.
I'VE waited for him some time, at last we
sat down 10 nupper, snd Just as we did 50
one OF the neighbors entered with horror 10
his countenance.
'Ah, HeavenP cried he abruptly, poor
Mercer has just shot himself
Never shall | forget my feelings in that
terrible moment. The fata! news was In.
deed true. The unfortunate man had been
| for q long time addicted 10 gambling. Seeing
himself on the brink of ruin he determined
to make a desperate effort to retrieve his
affairs; he failed, and wanting the courage
to lace lgnomy in the world, he rushed into
the presence OF an offended deity.
This was the beginning of my misfor-
tunes, grief and horror overwhelmed me;
| sunk under the weight OF my feelings, and
a violent fever reduced me to the brink oI
the grave. While was suffering under it,
losses came thick upon me, and with the
return Of my health | found myselfa beggar
nay, worse, for | owed large sum of money
which ! could not pay. My Julia inherited
her mothers fortune, il was settled upon her
out OF my power 10 touch, but no sooner
did she learn the state OF my affairs, than,
unknown TO me, she sure ndered every shil-
ling to my creditors
Noble girl cried Villars.
Noble, indeed, but how was her oontluct
appreciated where most it ought 70 have
been felt? She had lover; they were both
brought up together, and believed him
truly attached TO her knew that her affec-
ton for him was only that of sister but she
conceded to my wishes, and consented to
give him her hand; the day was fixed-when
my Illness delayed the marriage; bui neither
Julia nor myself ever doubted his truth
No sooner did he learn that she had given
up her Inheritance, than he wrote her an
eternal Il rew.ltv
The sCoundrel
SO ! called him. Julia uttered no re-
proacb; her cheek was pale, but her voice
did not falter-wben throwing herself into
ms arms, she exclaimed:
Father, from this moment we have moth
ing in the world but each other'
I'VE quilted Lyons. l sought employ
ment in Paris; found it; my salary WINS
scanty, but Juia's industry al the needle ad
deda little TO it, and if we were not happy,
we were at least content.
But fortune had not done penecuting me:
the loss OF my place and the illness OF nv
daughter, reduced us to The state in which
you found us. Your benefcence relic we'd us
from certain death. Ah, mt yer from that
hour W. we addressed prayer to Heaven,
in which you were not numbered!
"a few days after Providence had sent you
TO our assistance, we received intelligence Of
a most unhoped for reverse of fortune. The
lover who had SO cruelty deserted my child
was dead, and repenting of his conduct had
left Ter the whole Of his immense property.
He had no near relative-thus nothing him
dered us from profting by his will; but we
lost no time in returning again to Paris,
where only we could hope 10 discover you
Till to-day our researches have be. n unavai-
ing. Thank Heaven we have at last found
you twas the only thing wanting to our fe-
licity."
Villars replied only by grasping with fervor
the hand that belmont extended d 10 him. and
from that day they were inseparable.
Treated by Julia with the easy freedom of
a sister, Villars believed, during some time,
that he regarded her with an affection merely
lraternal. Happy in their society, he never
thought of asking himself whether he could
be happy without it.; but tho moment corac
when he was obliged TO put the question to
his heart
One morning when he went as usual 10
Delmont's, he found him alone and more
thoughtful than common.
"Have you not something on your mind
my dear sir, which renders my company lust
now importunate 10 you? If so, Tell me at
)nce TO be gone"
"On the contrary, shall tell you to STAY.
Tor want 10 consult you about q proposal | |
nave just received for Julia"
"A proposal for julia y
''Yes-what is there in that to surprise
you 2"
"Nothing, nothing" stammered Villairs,
'only thought-that is did not think"
He stopped. belmont looked at him in
luiringly, and finding that he did not proceed
be finished the sentence in his own way:
"You did not think, / presume, that my
child ever meant 10 marry. Well what her
determinations may be cannot tell you; but
At any rate, the Count st. Maux is very anx-
lous TO lea,n it. You know more Of him
than. | do; tell me what you think ofhim."
Villars hesitated; he knew nothing but
good OF him and yet he could not bring
himself to say so. At last he uttered with
effort.
Ibelievehim to be worldly man; but who
is there that can deserve JulisY
you are partial, Villars; my daughter is
good girl, but there are many who deserve
her.
Il don't know one,' cried Villars warmly
4 do, there is man whom | would select |
or her-but do not know that she would |
De his choice, and own it would. hurt mt
hat my child should b. refused.
Refused! Julia refused! Impossible!
There was no need of more; the look and |
one was sufficient.
She is yours cried belmont; 'wby did
'ou not ask for herat onceY
But what said Julia? Her tongue said |
Nothing, but her eyes and blushes spoke suf. |
iciently. Villars received her hand, and de-
Jared himself the happiest of men. 1t is
what all newly married men say, but the hus-
'and who repeats il at the end of ten years,
IS our hero does, has right to be believed.