The Davenport gazette., 1851-07-17
PRIDE.
AN OLD MANS STORY.


| was left an orphan at an early age
bu, with immense wealth. After arriving
nj manhood enjoyed ali that unttamme!ec
leisure and money could procure me-
travelled abroad, and for some years pur,
sued those amusemcnls aud pleasures
which the old world, with its experiences oI
luxury, offers to the anoccupicd and veal
Thy.
When WINS about thirty. | determined
10 marry. As my property consisted most.
" Of landed estate, situated in my native
country, wished, when married, to re.
turn there aud make il my home. Then
Thought il would be better 10 select q
wife from my own country ywomcn'-onc
vino would be content 10 settle down 10 the
domestic life other own home. ! shrank
from selecting my future liie-companion
among the gay, brilliant bellies Of foreign
circles. No. was wearied Of out doors
life, md pined for some new sphere Of en-
joyment. A quiet married life would pro-
cure happiness for me fell sure; and on
ms VOYAGE home. built all sorts Of dolnes-
tic Chateaur d'Espdgne.
Thought it would be vcrv easy 10 ms
own country 10 obtain jnst the kind OF wo-
man / wanted. had 20 fears of my sue
cess. Iknew had a fine personal appear
ance and good address. which would, OF
course, secure the heart Of the happy lady
Of my selection then mr. handsome fortune
and excellent position in society would
smooth away all family difficulties. Bi
after my return home found there were
as many obstacles existing TO my marriage
as abroad; the women were the same
beautiful, accomplished, interesting, but
mere women Of the world.
became the fashion, Of course; and was
the mark for scores Of mannuvering mani
mas and fair daughters. No one asked
what faults | had, or whether my disposi-
ton was such as to ensure happiness In
married life. Ny passionate willtul tenn
per was termed becoming spirit, my self.
ishness was either overlooked or uncared
for. possessed every charm of mind and
person, because was an excellent match
Disgusted, almost resolved upon old bach
clorship, for the rest Of my life.
One summer, alter recovering from an
attack of illness, ! happened, by chance, in
travelling about il pursuit Of my lost health
TO stop at sea.bathing place, quite IN.
known to the fashionable world. II was
SO unlike every other watering place had
ever been at, that resolved 10 remain
there until wearied Of Il as badsol ever,
thing else. tt
Al this retired place | me, Emily Gray,
son. Her parents had gone there like my
self for the benefit Of their health rather
than for amusement. ] soon discovered
that Mr.. Grayson aud my father had been
college friends; and though they had bn'
rarely met after they had left college, the
recollection Of their boyish intimacy was
SO pleasant 10 Mr.. Grayson that he recelv.
ed the son of his old friend warmly and oil
iec,ionately. l pass over my introduction
to his family. From my first intervIe"
with Emily Grayson ielt interested IN her
and an intimate acquaintance but increas
ed that interest. soon penetrated hel
character-not a difficult task, for never
had seen face SO expressive oil the teei
ings Of the soul as hers. Her actions, TOO
were dictated alone by the impulses OF
pure heart. | found that she was artless
intelligent and atlactionate; these were 'he
qualities which determined that my tu
,urc wife must possess. Nevertheless, sht
had faults. Her curling lip, her expand
ing nostril and flashing eye, when clrcum
stances aroused her, indicated that she pos
sessed an impeiuous temper, with NJ
small quantity Of pride. soon found thai
she was rnther selfwilIed; but excused
this fault, for she had always heen the pct
ted plaything of parents, friends and leach
crs. These were her only errors; and
thought they might easily be corrected, to
while harshness but incensed her, she wa
easily controlled by geniloness as child
Suffice i, 10 say, tha, she came nearer m