Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-01-22

/, fortunate victim Of procrastination
and no alternative, but 10 cast him
self into the sea, or upon the mere,
! of his injured employers Their
; was no other conveyance, and to
morrow would be too late. Alas
, those words-too late! They ran,
in his ears like a death knell. HI
, felt that all was over. He knew tn,
, character Of his employers too wei
to think that they would ever repos,
. their trust in him again, after com
mitting so gross an error upon 81
frivolous an excuse.
A half hour elapsed when he re
turned TO the store with a heavy
heart, and a downcast head. i
needed no words to tell that he haC
been too late, and the consequence
terminated in his discharge from the
establishment OF Wellman & Co.
Again was he made to realize the
value OF a single moment, at such
crisis. Had his misfortune arisen
from other cause than his own perso-
nal errors, he would have given way
10 Encouragement under this most
severe trial; but shame and SELF
censure only prompted him to new
and more vigorous exertions, with
the hope Of redeeming his injured
business reputation.
| In the course of the ensuing year,
by the aid OF friends, James again
obtained a very desirable situation in
large importing house, which bade
fair TO give him a fair start in the
world. By his industrious habits
and his general knowledge OF busi-
ness, he soon worked his way into
the good will Of his employers, who
were disposed to pay him literally
for his services. Months passed,
and no unpleasant circumstances
occurred to mar the confidence Of
the employers, or the hopes Of the
unfortunate clerk. At the CON-
mencement Of his second year with
Messrs. Wilkinson & Co., such was
his usefulness in the establishment
they were pleased to give him an
increase Of salary, and with two
thousand a year, in permanent posi-
ton, il is only in accordance with
the practice OF men in all ages, to
suppose that he would deem it prop
er to take to himself a wife.
In an adjoining village, there
lived charming Miss who, though
stranger in our story, was no stran-
ger to James. He had been in the
habit Of riding for pleasure, and his
holidays were passed "out Of town."
and the pretty village Of M-was
no doubt the seat of his attractions.
The residence of the fascinating
Lille Hassam was in a lovely valley
in the suburbs of the village. Her
father was a wealthy sea-captain,
and during his absence on foreign
voyage, James hao improved the
opportunity to make the acquain-
tance and win the affections of his
lovely d lighter. 1t was a beautiful
retreat where Lille and her mother
resided in seclusion during her faith
er's absence, and the society Of one
so we'll bred as James W was
not unwelcome to them in their
retirement.
1t is not uncommon for mere ac-
quaintanceships to grow impercepti
blv into warm attachments; and in
the case Of James and Lille, though |
they were introduced at casual
and met for long time as
mere acquaintance, yet ere they
were scarcely aware Of it, the socie-
ty of each became an indispensable
requisite to the happiness Of the other.
As we NAV well suppose, there was
soon an engagement. and as they
were both Of an age, and had gained
the consent of one parent, the faith
sr's absence seemed to be no good
reason for deferring the marriage.
It was we'll known, too, that he
possessed high aristocratic ideas,
and the thought that he might object
10 the marriage, probably prompted
them 10 greater haste in the business.
The captain was not expected TO
come home for several months, and
he wedding was fixed TO come off
before his return.
The happy day was near at hand,
md James was in high spirits. His
ormer nisfortunes were past and
and he felt himself too ,
I'D and too well experienced 10 be led
o suffer again from weak habits.
All things were ready. and the NOR
'ow was to unite his fate with one in
very way worthy of his affections. S
SNOW be sure and be here at eight I
n the morning, James. You know
-ou are apt TO be tardy, and we are I
o start on our journey at nine pre-
isely," said the affectionate girl, as C
hey parted on the eve before the
Wedding day.