The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-10-04


sneak as himself His mind appeared 70 have |
received sudden and tremendous shock, and
his faculty of speech for while was partially
suspended.
As no began to recover from its immediate
effects he entreated me not to leave him.
The suddenness and melancholy nature of
the call, together with the soemnity of the
hour and place, conspired TO produce an ex-
element which temporarily banIshed all in-
clinations to sleep, and accordingly seated my
self upon one of The rickety stools, onbeavor-
cd to draw from him some portion OF his histo-
ry.
Yielding to my solicitations, ho related the
following. which is given in his own words, as
nearly as can recall them.
1T is hardly possible said he that you should
recognise in the wretched person before you
the classmate of our college days, Harry Sum
ncrs. Full well / recolect you among the
friends / numbered thon Time has dealt gen.
tly with those features. and as knew you then
behold you now. But alas! how changed
am 1? How altered from whatl was; how dif-
ferent from what might have been. with
out friends, abandoned by my nearest relations,
despsed eve, among the companions OF my
wretched debauchments, pcnnilcss, victim
to tho Unsuitable cravings of a remorsoless
appetite, ruined in body, persecated boy con-
ciencc-lost lost!l Oh! these thoughts are
madness. Great God ho half exclaimed, half
whispcred, as his emotions overcome him, and
choked his utterance.
Making desperate effort he continued.
with my early history you arc already ac-
ouainted. At twenty two graduated and i'm
mediately commenced my legal studies at
R. 1t was there first met Emellne VIII
son. She was just such an one as in my dreams
of the future had painted for my wife her
| form was one of the perfect symmetry ana
grace. her department gentle and becoming.
And her face-how shall describe its ma
iestic beauties-rivalled only by the beautiful
simplicity and love.iness of her mind She
was then in her nineteenth year, possessing
mind ma urcd by diligent study, and tenn
per the sweetest with which woman ever was
| gifted. All these had occasion to know, as
.. student in her fathers Office and a frequent
visitor at Iii, house. Shall / say | lovedi-
Yes with my whole soul, and all the ardor OF a
first attachment. loved Iworshiped her.
Among her particular admirers, wa our
classmate Hammond. You recollect him and
our quarrel at college. He had abused anG
insulted me retaliated, blows followed, and
was suspended for six months. From that
houa nv heart became embittered toward him
and no sign of recognition thereafter passed
between us. She favored his attentions, ano
report said they were betrothed
The love bore her. was not a selfish love
and for her sake alone, could have forgiven
: him all. She meanwhile knew nothing of my
sentiments toward her, for | had ever, when il
her presonco, most scrupu'ously concealed
them. Conscious of my own inferioriiy, fel
that could never deserve her, and dispairet
of winning her affections.
An accident discovered her true feelings t.
me, and decided both our fates.
: Hammond "a ever, unscrupuious in the at
,aiument Of his ends, had suspected me as
rival. and had endeavorei to prejudice Emo
, line and her father against me. His first at
,empts at defamation having proved unsuccess
, full. he had renewed his efforts, and succecdo'
, in poisoning the mind of Col. Wilson towar'
me. Upon Emcline he had madc no impress
ion, however.
, One day, while pursuing my studies at th
office. word was received from Mr.. Means, th'
f Junior partner, then engaged in prosecuting
an important case in the Supreme Court, tina
' the presence of Col. W. Immediately was in
dispcnsable.
| hurried TO the house, whittier no had jus
: pone. to communicate the intelligence, and il
= nv haste omitted the usual formalities, upol
entering, a. was sometimes accustomed 4
. do upon similar occasions. The Colonel, Ham
3 mond, and Emeine, were conyersing rathe
: loudly in the library, and as passed throug
" tho hall, my own namo, several tunes repeated
f arrested my attention Pausing ono momen
! heard enough 10 convince mo that my char
! acter had been assaied, and that Emeline, tn
t dear creature, was my defender.
o. Willing as might have been to know mor'
q 1 felt that my curiosity should be grat1od in
n moro honorable way than by caves dropping
conscious that had heard too much already
f NV entrance abruptly terminated the cor
[, versation, and hastily delivering my errano,
:. returned Immediately.
IS The following day ! chilled at the residenc
of Col. W., in obedience 10 the request cot
yeyed in a neat little note from Emelino's sci
/. She was alone, and after kind and cordi
NJ welcome and "A fcw m m1ments o desntory col
a. versation, she apologised for the liberty 81
p was about to assume in explaining Hamm md
accusations; and requiring me, if possible,
r vindicate my character before her fnthor.
>. Immediately upon leaving the house l spug
"a out Hammond, and but for the timely bu-i inc
,e of an "urgent nature whicn in hastS no
TO Col. W., he assured him had called him u
,t denly away, he would certainly have receiy'
10 such corporeal punishment as the consciou
ness of hiswanton attempts naturally suggest'
Is 90 him.
! The effect Of his villainy remained howev
lie in the mind of Col. Wilson, upon which
NJ had made an indelbe impression, and altho
of remaining still il. his office, l no longer e
j. joyed the same confidence and esteem.
n what mattered that to me, so that retain,
10 the love of Emeline. We bad discovered G
secret of each others affection, and lived
N and for each other. The unaloyed bliss '
ed mutually enjoyed was destined to be OF she
duration.
n At the end Of two months, after the demon
al ment with Hammond, | was forbidden Z
a. house by her father. Our mutual faiths we
so pighted, and we had sworn eternal fdeli
ed and love, whatever circumstances might in,e
W. vene to prevent tho interchange thereof
words.
RS, proposed an elopcment. To this her pur
n mind objected, and endcavored to gain b
Id fathers consent to our union.
,ir He was immovable; ho who had ever be-
ce the kindest and gentest of parents, now .
at sumed tho tone of harsh dictation, aud asst
on ted his patornal prerogative' For time
wv were closely watched. but love laughs at loc
ng and bars. Their vigilance was eluded.
al short, we were married.