, 1853-09-17

!Ou"6 man WIN hdu 81 COIuuenU p.o-
nounced the cause Of that refusal TO be av-
arice, determined, without consulting the
others, that he would endeavor to remove
his objections, and called again upon Viii
liams for that purpose.
Gomez said he, "we want you very
much. Indeed we can't do without YOU -
The party will be incomplete, and have
taken it upon myself to try to set aside
your reasons, or remove your objections"
Williams smiled, but attempted no reply.
The smile was, however, forced, and the
subject evidently unexpected and disagreea-
BILE. The young man paused, sorry that he
had commenced, but feeling that it was nee
essary, since he had begun, to finish, he
went on TO say:
81 am aware that you have politely but
very firmly declined; but if your objections
are not insuperable, I must beg that, as a
favor to us, you will deny yourSelf-if it is
a denial,--and for the qualification of others
break through the rule for once which you
seem to have adopted, of partaking of no
amusement. Too close application will in
jure your health, and defeat the hopes of
distinction which judge you entertain"
" Pardon me-" answered Williams, " if l
tell you am not without amusement and
recreation. There are books over which |
can unbend-morning walks which take
daily while my friends are asleep, social
visiting, to which owe, suppose, the too
good opinion Of my powers of amusing 9TH
ers, which you attribute 10 me. There are
thousands of modes of relaxation - too
many, indeed, for one whose time is as
precious as mine is to me-quite too many
for young man who would be respectfully
prosperous in these days of competition
Distinction never have thought Of"
When man gives no reason for unu-
sual conduct" replied the other, "he must
expect that his friends will Imagine them
for him. You will not be offended, l know,
at what am about 10 propose. Go with
US as my guest-let me bear your expenses,
and the secret shall be safe between u.s.
Come, now, don't color 10 the temples and
shake your head. Distinguished strangers
who are wealthier than their entertainers,
are oflen free guests. Be our, 60 with u.s."
" If what you offer were necessary TO
me-" said Williams, " would accept ii and
thank you heartily. If were in want, or
in difficulty, suffering for assistance, or at
an Inconvenience for small sum, would
make free use of your generosity. Take
that as an evidence that am not offended
at an offer which, however well meant, il is
not possible for me to accept I cannot in
cur an unnecessary obligation, l cannot
break through the plan Of life | have COM
monced, and | am not obliged TO give rca-
son for what affects none but myself. lam
well aware that my singularity and apparent
asarice is the subject of remark and have
often been tempted to withdraw entirely
from social intercourse and would have
done SO, only that it would only expose me
TO still farther remark. One cannot bo in
the world and out of it at the same lime
know and feel the awkwardness of my po-
sition-but cannot help it,"
Farther pressing of the matter was out Of
the question; and the young gentleman who
had intruded ii upon Williams deeply re-
GREETED thaDhe had done so. The excur-
sion took place on the day appointed, and
was source of mingled pleasure and an
noyance to all concerned--as all such at
temPts at enjoyment are. Rasselas, Prince
of Abyssinia, was not the first nor the last
to whom a determination to be happy
proved only laborious ennui. Williams was
not Of the party, of course and as many
other amusements involving expense were
proposed, he continued deaf to the conver-
sation on such subjects. Yet, while he in-
creased in what nearly every one of his
friends voted meanness," it was observed
that he was evidently an object of great in
tercst, to the exclusion of others, with the
belle Of the coterie. No matter what efforts
Others made TO engage her attention--no
matter al what expense they strove to make
themselves agreeable - sordd Williams,
without any apparent pains on his part,
was, in his threadbare coat, preferred be-
fore them all.
The term Jealousy is perhaps TOO strong
word 10 describe the feeling with which
Williams soon came to be regarded but