The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-01
WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, JULY. |, 1852


and now. after this first victory Of scll.contrOl
il will be easy for us still to maintain an APP
parent distance, quiet in presence
of the ignorant and unnitiatcd We shall no
longer cast down our eyes with the painful
consciousness that our secret will he read in
our confused manner we will freely and openly
look each other in the face; for we can say to
ourselves that we have chosen what is right
with what is best in our view
"Still, what it will be our duty to abstain
from before the world, we can practice and
enioy in private, in undsturbed retirement to-
gether. The purest happiness is that which is
unobserved by the world Why shall we ex-
pose ours to every eye? Too sensitive to i'm
part to you personally the true ground of my
adherence to the views expressed declare
them in writing; not, as you may perhaps sup
pose, tn; selfish considerations hinder me from
openly ). wing myself the son of my mother,
the brother of her children They are quite
different motives that lead and direct my con-
duct Solcitude for the reputation of every
one nearest my heart causes me to appear even
before them in a false light The world is
wicked and knavish; it might bring into ques-
ton you, spouess purity, OF which am con
WINGED, and ] could not bear to see your honor
touched Entangled in endless quarrels |
might fall in the combat for the legitimacy of
my name and the honor of yours; and your
conscience, that has already suffered so much
on my account, would succumb to this new
afiliction.
"NO, mother. dare not see you and myself
exposed to the assaults of slanderous tongues
dare not suffer your honor and mine to be
sulied by surmises. You as well as myself are
of more value than that should deliver myself
up to the thrust-blade Of satire
81 could dwell longer on this subject-could
trace picture that would appal you-but will
treat no longer on the sad theme for believe
| have said enough to deter you from the pos
sibity of an open conference.
"But now. lest you should need a verbal in
terchange, and your heart were not fully salts
fed am willing, as soon as ! have your SUI
frage. to hire a room in the suburb, where we
can see and converse with each other any hour
of the day shall depend on your wish in re-
gard to the day on which you may wish to see
me- and will also beg you to appoint the hour
at which such interview may most suitably
take place. without danger of discovery. As
indeed am alone, but not Independent of a
thousand little but important calls in society,
you will find my desires reasonable, and will
the rather yield to them, since in this man
ner only an undisturbed interview is posi-
BILE Soon rs | have your answer, will pro-
coed to the accomplishment of my plan, and
let you know the situation and number OF the
house that shall be designated for our visit in
common b."
When Baler sealed this letter, and delivered
it himself at the post office he was in a better
state of mind He believed that he had thus
cleared his conscience, and was convinced that
Mrs Muller would coincide with his wishes
and give up her own. He supposed her to be
too ignorant Of the great city and too tlmid, tC
walk so far without an attendant; and if she
were to reject his proposal, nothing would re.
main for him to do, and no rcproach would be-
fall him. But he had mistaken, had too little
value for, the feelings of mother, or the per.
sistence of hope of a loving heart. Mrs. Null
Ter had hardly read the cunningly planned
letter of her son, ere she was prepared for all.
The judgment of the world, the opinion of the
multitude, were of indifference to her. if only
she could succeedjn reconcling Baler to an
interview with his Kindred and she ceased not
to hope for u satisfactory result Of his lrequen,
verbal promises She therefore wrote him the
following;
"Iwait thy determination, my son, and hope
to see thee soon. No distance is too great fol
me- that brings me nearer to my aim.
"CLARA MULLER"
Baler saw himself caught in his own net, ant
new time of uneasiness broke in upon him.
TO BE CONTINUED.