Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-04-10

could not do il we were TO credit all that
was said against it. A person beholds, in a
swamp, an ignis Jatu9S, while he passes up
on the well-paved highway. He leave,
that highway 10 pursue the object, which
flees from him as be advances, and, as he
blunders along and splashes through water
and mud, now ankle and now knee deep
and is at last brought TO halt. because be
has stuck fast in the mre, while the object
OF his pursuit still dances on before. as if 10
allure him still farther, he exclaims, "AIis-
cradle, wretched, wicked swamp, TO hold
thus fast in your filthy embrace the person
Of so distinguished being as mvseifp'-
While another might, perhaps, be tempted
TO irreverently say, "Aiiserable fool, Ia
leave the beaten path, and place yourself
in such predicamcnt"
How often happens it thus that the incy-
perienced involve themselves, thoughtless-
ly, in difficulties which embitter the ioun-
tanS of life, and then blame the world in
stead OF themselves! Our error is that we
expect too much from it, and we murmur
if we do not obtain the "lion's share"
$50, Tourniquet, you say that you have
no fixed purpose for the future ~
."Yes as | have told You, ! intend TO
leave the direction Of my future life in the
hands of him who furnished ne with the
means of advancing thus iar.'
"Perhaps you are right but my father
can have no claim upon me in that way.
The means by which | have been enabled
to live here came like drops OF blood from
his avaricous heart, and now he meets
me to make my living by my requirements
without again troubling him. Therefore,
am obliged TO decide for myselfhow shall
do this; and ! have decided in part, lcav-
ing the rest TO mere chance"
"And what course do you intend TO pur-
sue, pray! ~
''Frst, | will engage myselfas tutor in
some respectable family until | have sccur-
ed sufficient means to enable me to acquire
a profession what that shall be, must de-
pend upon circumstances"
As you have planned so far, when, may
| ask, do you intend TO marry :"
"Whenevcr | may be able to suit my
self as propose"
"And how may that be 2"
"When have found, first, a wife who
will be rich; second, handsome; and,
third, accomplished but on the first quail
iicaton only Will insist"
$50 then you propose to marry for
wealth alone! Do / rightly understand ~
"You have understood me rightly. For
wealth, and wealth only, will l marry"
"You will offer upon the alter of Nam
mon the hottest impulses and Feelings that
dwell within your heart, 'leaping up like
angels to shed around your pathway the
light Of the only happiness earth can know
or Heaven realize. Oh Lalor, we have
long been friends, and I never supposed
that ! should think 50 lightly Of you as I do
since you have given utterance TO such a
determination"
"You may think Of me as you please ;
only do not suppose ne to be hypocrite.
When you have seen as much of life as
have seen, you will be less inclined TO sem
timentaity. From what ] have already
told you, you know how have learned to
value money. Every title of my educa-
tion, from childhood until | anchored my
little bark by this hallowed shore, has en-
graved upon my heart, in characters 10 be
never erased, the truth that money is the
great and only good and, therefore, will
the possession of it be my end and aim"
"The truth rather say the lalsehood.
Does il heal the wounds of the lacerated
heart? Can it add one moment TO the
hours of the wretChed outcast who is upon
the brink Of eternity? Can it restore life
TO the loved and dear departed? or can il
open for you passage to that better world
which is our reStng-plac hereafter? No
Struggle as you will for it, struggle honor
ably, and you will obtain il; for, though
not the greatest good, il may be to you a
means OF doing good. Struggle, then, fol
It; but never for a moment entertain The
thought OF bartering your happiness fol
what at best you can but briefly enjoy
Never deceive the faithful heart that may
bind itsel! 10 you, trustfuly confdng il
your promises Of love if you do, remem
Der TINT bH'erly, bitterly lrW you repent O
it."
''Talk to your moon and stars about YOU
marriages tor love, if you will nv pur
pose is fXeG, and time may teach you tc
think as do.'
"Sorry will be ift does"
The clear tones of the nine O'Clock bell
summoning all to prayer, broke out upol
the stiffness Of the night, and sent its echoe
away up the Blue Ridge, and from its top
to heaven, a notice that worshippers OF
earth We're humbly kneeling to thank tn
! Father who preserved them during the day
and 10 beg his watchtulness over thei
slumbers during the night.
Breakfast was over on the followin
morning. The coaches, which were t
convey US home, were waiting. Gu
trunks had been strapped on, and the gen
eral good-5y exchanged. Edward Lalo
stood upon the steps as came up, aud h
reached out his hand for the last clasp
! "Good-by, Tourniquet," said he, while tn
tears stood in his large eyes, sand, If eve
: we meet again on earth, hope / shall
; able to prove to you that am happy wit
my lot"
l could only reply to him, "Beware"-
; and away ratified the vehicle in which h
rode, followed, in few moments, by ih
one in which travelled, leaving behind ,
. all except the memories which hang roun