Spirit of the age., 1853-05-18

that when once detached from the heartless ,
world we have served too long, and obliged ;
to labor for ourselves and our children, and
be dependent on each other for happiness,
the better feelings of our natures NAV come 4
forth from their long slumbers Nothing but
necessity will compel me to reform, and Mar
garet will never act the part of a true wife
and mother till gay summer friends have
flown. In poverty she may learn to initiate,
or at least to appreciate the lovely character
of the daughter whose tastes and inclinations
she has hitherto despised'
Then the delicate and tenderly nourished
child must be doomed to privations and |
hardships that the mother may 5e aroused
to sense Of duty. 1t seems rather a harsh
expedient. Surely, Herbert, for the sake of |
thasa ,l,;l.lronan --,...-alf It
fthah when poverty is staring you in the face.
Laura will rejoice in any expedient that
renders her parent less worldly, and gives
her an opportunity to perform the Office OF
daughter and sister. But Ellis it is useless
to talk. A wreck is inevitable, and IN my
present state Of mind | would not prevent
it if could | am Indifferent to every thing
or rather at war will all the world. Good
morning.
) Ellis was not altogether surprised to hear
of Leigh's pecuniary embarrassment, for a
whisper of the fact had previously reached
his ears, but he was almost shocked at the
strange Indifference manifested by the man
he knew possessed many noble qualities;
: At parting, Ellis repeated his warnings and
entreaties in an earnest and impressive man
|, ner, but he received no encouraging answer:
4 Herbert Leigh was left an orphan while
: very young, and the childless old uncle to
q whose guardianship he was entrusted, suffer
! ed him to grow up in habits of unrestrained
q indulgence of every whim and wish. The
Of result was the almost complete subserviency
IS of the nobler attributes of his nature to selsl
N desires and propensities. Soon after he at
10 tanned his majority, the uncle died, leaving
: him considerable portion OF wealth IN addl
" =, ton to his moderate patrimonlal inheritance
"a Wealth, wit and beauty, three most danger
ons oifts. were his, and no wonder he wa
e, courted, and fattered, and led on IN roun
ve of pleasure and folly that soon dlsslpated n
m means. At the time of his marriage, man
- supposed him still rich, but his intimat
!, friends suspected the contrary. 10 make
. show of business, he risked the last remnal
nn of his own property, and small portion
oI his wifes in concern which soon sWalloWe
as up both. The wife, whose passion for displa
we grew stronger as the years rolled on, suppo
on mo her income enhanced, continued to i
II crease her expenses and follies until even tt
~ urodigal Leigh became disgusted as well |
- alarmed at her extravaganza. We have see
ou how his warnings were received. Still, hi
am he possessed sufficient strength OF purpose
re- accomplish his own reformation, had he su
rift duad his temper, and clearly and calm
ro1l nm the dormant affections OF MIS-. helg
Iou ba m;9ht have averted a catastrophe ne ne
les ay,ited with stoical Indifference.
re- NJ drown reflection he drank deeper TN
+ at o,,ar and he often said to himself. w
in Maroaret's Marc pride is humbled, and her seih
ca noSs and vanity crushed, she may turn
INV bor duties. and then | shall have a motive
~ reform. but have none now. FOOT ma
hid he not know that all this while the
!; as trover was tightening his grasp with te
ully CITY that bid fair to defy the strength ol eN
Her motive, and every better prlnciPle.
here He ceased his efforts 70 nliAS
'''' - ronroached him with his Incidence
destination. Whenever he tauntingly MI
ice l &c their approaching ruin, he was answ
br some new and useless expenditure.
from Rnt the truth came at length, ana VIII
,r1r +o,,,',;,ra R4rr,-LAigh and llaI
sacri- had to learn that pride mortlhed IS !ir
- low hateful and implacable than PRIDE IN . a
- a;ou:- mower and glory. When MarsarGaU ~, ~
pur- al,nGu a hsbond sI With being the sole cause
Let and. in moment OF passion siie l.lo' =,
ormer bade him leave her, and never more al
# he T :" bor ,resence. He obeyed. In the
nfh;s lL l friend Ellis, he sat down and
-ou # Laura as follows:
q less .Dr,p JAURA-You will doubtless pe
,forn' moned home Immediately py youi III
For
ch you She will tell you nGl ~. lot iii your
strong too true. 1io'Io - baholf need not c
!. You W o, not to nerlect my little Walter, yor
ain pas {ber { Fl far know your gentle nature, a.
led, convinced Of YOUR deep love for him. al
sickly for YOUR parent.
zones in ~ Foraiye ~ me, Laura, and persuade
4hro, o+bor to forgiye me if she can. l y
~ ~ 41,ru 90 soon as can place you again
lef "no' onco Until then the little property
less at nSs n Tour own right, and which IS st
lpPiness! viii be sufficient to keep you from wa
will, but sAdieu. Be kind to my poor boy.
rapidly H. II
;, So YOU really mean to leave this I
yourself 800 ~ eirhteen years to the task Of
|. after a 80 for and taking care Of q perverse
"a - oxtravaoant mother, aud sickl.
:. ahrunt- oro]aimed Ellis, to whom Leigh relat
) Is con- had passed. ., .,od u
Ioa.o What am | to do !? returned !, 7,
aeSe'No II have been driven away, and shall
> reckless tnrn and humble myself to the won
has insulted me-. -
&c the tree You deserve her censure and reT
bleed Yes, but cannot submit to insu
:. ILL has been equally to blame and not
4 for mon leG,s 80 - iii I return to her,
else which, Bnt what do you intend to do!
look to for Il know not. At one moment
in me an impulse strong enough t. {
mean. Her triumphantly through any battle !
mo ! not fortune, and the next. IN the del
lne is no' and blackness.that gather around,
-, only leaden bullet and the sulclo
very little There was a strange, wild light i
hink a few of Teioh as he uttered these wo
very thing, seized his arm, e7clalmlnS S,o,abl ngr
20 ''N''''' of If such feelings Rise UP, look ;,
md ~, face your difficulties manfull
ontlnue your to- to work in a spirit of humble CO.
fort at once tbe mast. and, determination for
and YOU will succeed. Have yoT
all | INTEND left? a - :
is determin- None, have not reserved 70
=, o"o e.nnot "a Have YOU no hopes of the E.