The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-02-18
ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY ls, 1853.

Resolved to forget himself, and to occupy
his time in some interesting and usefI. pur-
suit, Album on the following day, bethought
him Of a number Of poor families in the neigh
borboed, who, report said, were suffering from
the severity of the winter. Going to visit
them and relieve their wants, he became
deeply interested in the novel task, and the
night came before he had scarcely thought Of
noon!
That evening Album drank less wine and
ate more substantial food than he had done
before for many months; and on retiring to
rest, he said to himself
"Joe Jarvis has revealed to me the secre,
Of happiness after all!''
And feeling quiet joy stealing into his
heart, he sank into a genial slumber, from
which he was awakened by the Growing of
the cocks on the following morning.
That day Album paid visit to the cot
tager's family, which he could not sufficient
ly admire for its order, neatness, unity and
happiness. Another long and serious con-
versation with Jarvis. strengthened him in
his resolution to waste no more time in sell
fish pleasures, which are only the counterfeit
of bliss.
In order to prosecute his good works to
the best advantage, Album associated him
self with an old man named Fisher, distin-
guished for his public spirit and his kindness
to the poor, but whom the heir formerly shun-
ned, with the repugnance which gayety and
folly are apt to feel towards sobrety and wis
dom. Delighted with the sentiments Album
expressed, the old man gave his hand hear
ty shake, and proceeded at once to make
him a confident Of all his plans of bcnevo-
lence, and TO give him necessary and useful
counsel. From that time he and his new
friend were united in nearly all their opera
tions; the former became interested in the
churches, the schools, and in al! public works;
and in few months, he found himself enga-
ged in politics, not from any low ambition,
but from an ardent desire to do good
So completely was Albums mind absorbed
in his new puruits, that he quite forgot to ask
himself whether he was happy, until to his
surprise, he discovered that he was as nearly
so as he could expect to be in his present
position in life. So complete change had
his ideas of life undergone, that he was now
convinced that DOMESTIC BLISS was the most
perfect from of all earthly happiness.
Gas have no mother nor sisters to cheer
my hearth and home, must find wife,
whom | can love, and in whose happiness |
can take delight"
Now MIR. Fisher had a daughter, whose
kindnes s, cheerfulness and good sense, were
subjects of remark. Album had seen enough
of her to be assured that report had net ex-
aggerated her virtues, and to feel that she
might exert an all-powerfu influence over his
heart. He sought her society, he portrayed to
her the despais he had conquered, the aspira-
tions he had conceived, his weakness, and his
need of help. Her interest was awakened
then her sympathy-then her love; and in
the course OF time, they were married.
Every one marked the contrast between
Album H House, of the bride and bridegroom,
and Album House, of the days of hard-riding
and hard-drinking-al was peace and
happiness where once all was revelling and
discomfort. Percival Album loved his amiable
W fe, and from that time he was safe from the
demons which seliShness fosters in the soul;
but it was not until he was surrounded by
children whom he loved, that he felt all the
truth of Joe Jarvis's definition of the secret Of
happiness.
Keep your conscience clear, and love and
labor for the happiness Of Others.