Spirit of the age., 1853-05-04
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ".
In private apartment of drinking es-
Enlistment, not many squares from Mrs.
11efg'hs inanss51. tsso young men were. sit
ting over their glasses The dress of each
gave evidence Of wealth. and Of taste lux
urious, and not entirely removed from cox
combry. Nature has been lavish of her fa-
vors to them both, but the elder one-who
seemed fairly on the shady side of thirty
was pre- eminently handsome. He was tall
and fine y formed and his thick, dark, wa
IVY hair was brushed back from face and
brow which denoted intellect and power,
yet the indoIent and somewhat dissatisfied
expression he wore told ofpowers unemploy-
ed for no high aim On the more delicate,
yet noble features Of the other, sat the same
vacant expression. while the flushed faces of
both, as we'll as their locality and surround
ings betrayed their mutual devotion to the
tabled Bacchus. After rambling conver-
salion Of some minutes, the younger of the
two. addressing his companion said,
You tell me, Leigh, you have spent part
Of the summer making excursions to some
of our most fashionable places Of resort no
doubt you have enjoyed yourself highly
Not over much the other replied with a
yawn, as he carelessly leaned back in his
seat. Been to those places before, and
they have lost much of the charrr and nov
city of other days There's not much diff
ference between the din and confusion Of Q
city, and the din and confusion Of water
ing place. Found good tables however
and excellent wine, and gay company ii
abundance.
| supposed such pleasures as you name
had fallen to secondary place in your re-
gard, and were indulged in but on occasions
like the present. when meeting an ole
friend. You have found higher source o
happiness in domestic ties, ! should like tC
have the benefit of your experience in mat
rimonial life. Come, Herbert you have nov
been several months Benedict, and shoulc
be able to advise friend. Let's have you
views on this all important matter
- Ve'.-~.,a -at.rare Md sas,liAl gHArhAn
Leigh, that do not despise the gooc
things of this life, neither do turn in con
tempt from the show, and parade and conse
quence which full pocket only can kee
up; therefore, to secure these inestimabl
blessings, and coveted privileges, am quit
willing to submit to the incumbrance of
handsome and courted woman.
True, was not at the moment, thini
j. ing Of the fair pecuniary speculation yo
made, but do not envy the happiness
n Mrs Leigh, if you and heartless wor
L have both courted her for her wealth alone
: Mrs. Leigh is in no way barred fro
the indulgence of her whims and tastes
IS She sows and reaps as her fancy and h
1t ambition direct, therefore your pity is u
'r called for
d No, Herbert, it is not, for you are bo
e really to be pitied if your chief sources
d happiness are such as flow from the indt
i gence Of selfish desires, aud from the shallo
II artificial stream of fashionable life.
e why, what influence has been at wo
ID to change so suddenly the views Of my g
= associate, and set him to moralizing for /
~ especial benefit 2
~ You sneer. Herbert, and do not hlar
t. you have been ard am .spendth
IS and prodigal. | have foated careles
rd along with this shallow current, but [ b;
We heart still, and if ever sacrifice my C,
bacy, it will be in the confident hope of Fl
We ing something deeper and more satisfact'
IS than the empty vAnities have pursued.
ed You'll have to begin your reformat
rs, pretty soon then, Ned, for Though J
AS hav Mt quite reached my years yet, you '
lst in time, and then you will find that ha
as will be stronger than the impulses of y
nd better nature. or even your judgment
~ As Herbert Leigh thus replied, desl
ul- the tone of Indifference in which he spo
rk a shadow fingered for brief moment on
est features, showing that he too, still ha
ng heart; but he quickly chased away the II
'ge sient cloud and remarked gayly-
re- By the way, Ned, have you heard of
md intended trip to England 2
mt No! Is it possible you mediate $
es' an excursion Z?
'rs, 1t is not only possible, but | have
and ready nearly completed my arrangem
al for the voyage.
the And your business, can you leave
without risk ?
the Ny business, you ought to know
Ions merely nominal, and easily set aside.
OF turned Leigh laughing.
use Well the other replied, ough
j TO have been wiser in my judgment, if ap]
5hts ances are to be taken f,r guide, but S
ich- how it seems to me that if you have en-
King means to support all these expenses
read would require considerable portion of
little time to take care of it; besides it is kI
over that you have invested certain sums
up, business that ought to receive some atte
and from you if you hope for profit. Blu
'ther is no affair of mine Does your wife az
they pany you?
ma Most certainly she does
pied 1t must be a sudden whim. Do her
Their lead her to seek such pleasures as are
did in travel-what is your object in 90
Y are and there was a slight degree of sal
day the young mans expression.
their | go, said Herbert, first to seek
owed city and change last, though not lei