Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-19
MISCELLANEO EOUS.

AN OLD MANS STORY.

| AN OLD MANS STORY.
| was left an orphan at an early age,
but with immense wealth. After arriving
at manhood ] enjoyed all that untrammel-
ed leisure and money could procure me.
Travelled abroad and for some years pur-
sued those amuscments and pleasures which
the old world, with its experience Of luxu-
ry, offers to the unoccupied and wealthy.
When ! was about thirty, determined
to marry. As my property consisted most
ly of landed estate, situated in my native
country, | wished when married, 10 re-
turn there and make it my home. Then |
thought it would be better to select wife
from my own countrywomen-one who
would be co ntcnt to settle down to the do
mestic life of her ownhome. shrank from
selecting my future liie-companon among
the gay, brilliant bellies of foreign circles.
No. 1 was wearcd of outdoors life, and
panied for some new sphere Of enjoyment.
A quiet married life would procure happi-
ness for me | felt sure; and on my voyage
home, built all sorts Of domestic CAateaaz
d. Espagne.
l 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 fine personal appear
ancc 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
after my return home | found there were
as many obstacles existing to my marriage
as abroad; the women were the samc-
beautiful, accomplished, interesting, butmerc
women Of the world
| became the fashion, of course, and was
a mark of scores fmanmuvcring mammas
and fair daughters. No one asked what
faults ! had. or whether my disposition
was such as to ensure happiness IN married
life. My passionate, williul temper was
termed becoming spirit, my selfshness
was either overlooked or uncarcd for. |
possessed every charm of mind and person,
because | was an excellent match Dis
gusted. | almost resolved upon old bachc-
lorhood for the rest ofmy Ite.
One summer, after recovering from an
attack of Illness, Happened, by chance, in
travelling about in pursuit ofmy lost health
to stop at a sea-ba'ldng place, quite un-
known to the fashionable world. IL was
so unlike every other watering place | had
ever been at, that resolved to remain
there until wearied of ii as had ofcvcry
thing else.
AT this retired place | met Emily Gray
son. Her parents had gone there Ike my
self for the benefit of their health rather
than for amusement. | soon discovered
that Mr.. Grayson and my father had been
college friends; and though they had but
rarely met after they had left college, the
recollection of their boyish intimacy was
so pleasant to Mr. Grayson that he received
the son of his old friend warmly and aflec-
tiouatcly pass over my introduction to
his family. From my first interview with
Emily Grayson felt interested in her, and
an intimate acquaintance but increased that
interest. | soon penetrated her character
NOT difficult task, for never had | seen
a face so expressive Of the feelings of the
soul as hers Her actions, too, were dicta-
ted alone by the impulses ofa pure heart.
| | found that she was artless, Intelligent and
aheciionatc; these were the qualities which
had determined that my future wife must
possess Nevertheless, she had faults. Her
curling lip, her expanded nostril and fash
ing eve, when circumstances aroused her,
indicated that she possessed an impctuous
temper, with no small quantity of pride. |
soon found that she was rather self-willed;
but excused this fault, for she had always
been thcpettcd plaything ofparents, friends
and teachers. These were her only er-
rors; and | thought they might easily be
corrected, for while harshness but nccnsed
her, she was as easily controlled by gentle
ness as a child Suffice to say, that she
came nearer my ideal than any one | had
ever met with, and | determined to win
her.
loved her as | had never loved woman.
| read with her her favorite authors and
mine; walked and rode, sung and talked
with her. | told her Of tho lands had
visitcd-of the wonders had seen; and
when, at last, gave utterancc to my love,
my words fell on a willing ear; and | soon
obtained permission to ask her hand of her
parents. Great was their astonishmcnt
when they heard their girlish daughter de.
mandcd in marriage. They had seen my
attention, it was true; but they had looked
on me as so much her senior-she was but
sixteen, l beyond thirty-that they had
never imagined the possibility of my be-
coming lover. However, when they
found that Emily really loved me, they
offered no objection, stipulating. however,
that our marriage should be deferred for
one year, that we might study each others
characters more closely during that time,
with the additional request, that our bctro-
thai should not be made public. If at the
expiration of that time we both remained
unchanged, they promised that she should
become mine. | pleaded in vain for a
speedy marriage; feared that the prize
which had won might possibly be lost to
me; and with all my natural impetuosity
of temper, sought to secure Immediately
what | hoped would perfect my daydream
of happiness. They were firm.
Their daughter" they said, "was very
young, and might possibly have mistaken
girlish liking for a more serious attach
ment- |, too, might be influenced by pas
sing fancy"
| | welded TO what | could not control
but there was source of satisfaction min
gled with my disappointment. | saw thai
my wealth had no influence in their decis
ion, and the fear which had always haunted
mc---of being married from merccnary mo
tives, was destroyed; at length was loved
-fondly and devotedIy loved, and for my
self alone.
| The year passed away more rapid,
than had anticipated. Oh. what happ,
year was tha,l Friendless, alone, sorrow
stricken old man, ON the verge ofthe grave
look back upon that period as the sunny
bour of my existence. In nv dreams