Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-05-30
Cbuitf Iitrrature.
From Graham's Magazine.
PRIDE.
AN OLD MANS STORY

AN OLD MAN OIpht1s
was left an orphan at an early age, but
with immense wealth. After arriving at
manhood I enjoyed all that untrammeled
leisure and money could procure me. | trav-
eled abroad and for some years pursued
those amusements and pleasures which the
old world, with its experience of luxury, of |
feTs to the unoccupied and wealthy.
When was about thirty, l determined
to marry. As my property consisted mostly
of landed estate, situated in my native eoun-
try, wished, when | married, to return
there and make it my home. Then thought
it would be better to select wife from my
own countrywomen-one who would be con-
tent to settle down to the domestic life of
her own home. shrank from selecting my
future life-companion among the gay, bril-
liant bellies Of foreign circles. No. l was
wearied Of outdoors life, and pined for some
new sphere of enjoyment A quiet married
life would procure happiness for me, l felt
sure and on my voyage home, l built all
sorts Of domestic Chatraur d Espdgne
thought it would be very easy in my
own country to obtain just the kind of wo-
man | wanted. / had no fears of my sue
cess. knew | had a fine personal appear
ance and good address, which would, Of
course, secure the heart Of the happy lady
of my selection then my handsome fortune
and excellent position in society would
smooth away all family difficulties. But af-
ter my return home | found there were as
many obstacles existing to my marriage as
abroad the women were the same-beauti-
full, accomplished, interesting, but mere wo-
men Of the world.
l became the fashion, Of course, and was
mark for scores Of man@uvering mammas
and fair daughters. Not one asked what
faults had, or whether my disposition was
such as to ensure happiness in married life.
My passionate, willful temper was termed q
becoming spirit, my selishness was either
overlooked or uncared for. | possessed ev-
cry charm of mind and person, because ]
was an excellent match Disguised, al
most resolved upon old-bachelorhood for the
rest Of my life.
One summer, after recovering from an at
tack Of Hines, l happened, by chance, il
travelling about in pursuit. Of my lost health
to stop at asca-bathing place, quite unknown
to the fashionable world. 1t was so unlik,
every other wateringplace / had ever beer
at, that / resolved to remain there until
wearied of it as / had of every thing else.
at this retired place met Emily Gray
son. Her parents had gone there like my
self for the benefit Of their health rather thai
for amusement soon discovered that Mr.
N f,tba~ bo1
friends and though they had but rarely me
after they had left college, the recollection c
their boyish intimacy was so pleasant to MI
Grayson that he received the son of his oil
friend warmly and afectionately I pas
over my introduction to his family. Frol
my first interview with Emily Grayson
felt interested in her, and an intimate a
quaintance but increased that interest.
soon penetrated her character-not diff
cult task, for never had seen a face so G,
pressiEe Of the feelings of the soul as her
Her actions, too, were dictated alone /
the impulses Of pure heart / found tn
she was artless, intelligent and affectionate
these were the qualities which I had dete
mined that my future wife must possess
Nevertheless, she had faults Her curlir
lip, her expanded nostril and flashing ey
when circumstances aroused her, indicate
that she possessed an impetuous tempe
with no small quantity of pride. so,
found that she was rather selfwilled ; but
excused this fault, for she had always be
the petted plaything of parents, friends, al
teachers. These were her only errors; al
/ thought they might easily be correcte
for while harshness but incensed her, S
was as easily controlled by gentleness as
child. Suffice it to say, that she came ne
er my ideal than any one had ever n
with, and determined to win her.
l loved her as had never loved WON;
l read with her favorite authors and mir
l walked and rode, sung and talked with h
L told her Of the lands | had visited-of
wonders had seen and when, at last
gave utterance to my love, my words fell
willing ear and l soon obtained perm
son to ask her hand Of her parents. Or
was Their astonishment when they he;
their girlish daughter demanded in m
riage. They had seen nv attentions, it \
true but they had looked on me as 50 m,
her senior-she was but sixteen. I bev(
thirty-that they had never imagined
possibility ofmy becoming a lover. H
ever, when they found that Emily re;
1 loved me, they offered no objection. stip
ting, however, that our marriage should
deferred for one year, that We might st