Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1852-07-22
Pride.
A N Old Mans story

L Ndo 1O1o tlD Va pIleti1 a. oh Sui1y
age, but with immense wealth. Af-
ter arriving at manhood | enjoyed
all that untrammeled leisure and
money could procure me. | travel
ed abroad; and for some years pur-
sued those amusementS and pleas
ures which the old world, with its
experience of luxury, offers to the
unoccupied and wealthy.
When | was about thirty, l de-
termined to marry. As my proper
ty consisted mostly Of landed estate,
situated in my native country, |
wished, W hen l married, to return
there and make it my home. Then
| thought it would be better to Sc
lect wife from my own countrywo-
MEN one who would be content to
settle do wn to the domestic life Of
her own home. / shrank from Sc
lecting my future life-companion
among the gay, brilliant bellies Of
foreign circles No. 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, I built all sorts Of domestic
Chatcaur d 'EsPqgne.
/ thought it would be very easy in
my own country to obtain just the
kind Of woman | wanted | had no
fears of my success. l knew | had
fine personal appearance and good
address, which would, of course, Sc
cure the heart of the happy lady Of
my selection; then my handsome for
tune and excellent position in society
would smooth away all family diff
culties. But 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
l became the fashion, of course,
and was mark for scores of ma
neuvering mammas and fair daugh-
ters. No one asked what faults |
had, or Whether my disposition was
such as to ensure happiness in mar
RED life. My passionate, wllful tenn
per was termed a becoming spirit,
my selfshness was either overlooked
or uncare ed for. l possessed every
charm Of mind and person, because
| was an excellent match. Disgust
ed, | almost resolved upon old bach
elorhood for the rest Of my life. H
One summer, after recovering from
an attack of illness, | happened, by
chance, in travelling about ia pursuit
of my lost health, to stop at a, sea
bathing place, quite un known to the
fashionable world. 1t was so unlike
every other watering-plhce had ever
been at, that | resolved to remain
there u ntil | wearled of it as | had
of every thing else.
At this retired place / met Emily
Grayson. Her paren is had gone
| there like myself for the benefit OF
their health rather tha IN for amuse-
ment, ! soon discoyd red that Mr.
Grayspn and my father had been
college friends; and th pugh they had
but rarely met after they had left
college, the recollection Of their boy
/ ish intimacy was so pleasant to Mr.
Graysb bn that he recei Yed the son O
his old friend warmly and affection
ately. | pass over my introduction
to the family. From my first inter
view with Emily Grayson | felt in
terest ed in her, and an intimate ac
quain tance but increased that inter
est. | soon penetrat ed her charac
ter-not difficult task, for nevel
had l seen a face so expressive o
the fe elings ofthe soul as hers Hel
actions. too. we're dictated alone bJ
/ the impulses Of a pure heart.
found that she was a artless, intelligent
and affectionate; these were the quail
! flies which / had determined thai
nv fiiture wife must possess. Never
tbeless. she had faults. Her curling
| lin. her expanded nostril and flash
ing eye, when circumstances aroused
her. indicated that she possessed al
imnetuous temper, with no small
n,,ant;tv Of bride. | soon found
fb,t kbe was rather self-Willed; but
excused this fault, for she had al
waysH been the petted plaything o.
parents, friends, and teachers. Inese
we're her only errors; and / thought