New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-05-28

| "ihiASu attentions, ana hints thrown out by
some OF her friends, it was to her. under the
circumstances, source Of deep regret She
nad treated him with etiquette and kindness.
received ms visits in courteous, friendly man
ner, put nothing more, and however much she
might admire his Conversational powers and
n8Ieeaole manners, recent knowledge Of his
general character would prevent her from desi-
rIng 70 encourage his new born feelings. What
| course should she pursue' It was not long nm
I'll she and Irving met at a party. Irving es-
corted her to the tables and requested the 5lea
sure Of drinking a glass with her. She polite
! iy, yet firmly, declined. Irving insisted on the
ground Of custom and friendship
Neither custom nor friendship, Mr. Irving.
has the right to demand sacrifice Of principle
said Emma, sand should deem myself uuwor-
thy the name of woman or friend should grant
such request, and lure you on in the utter
ruin Of body and SOUL
Why, Miss Carson, I am really surprised to
hear you speak with so much elrnestness in this
matter, and more especially at what must con.
Flder an unnecessary reflection"
Mr.. Irving, any young man who indulgesin
ardent spirits even to a moderate degree, and
that restricted to the fashionable circle is, in
my opinion in danger Of ruin and assure you
| viii never knowingly, directly or indirectly,
couhtenance the evil and furthermore, no one,
espseiaily s.eS young man, whose habits are con-
HFlnea, can retain my esteem and his winen
- But instances can be adduced in which your
rigid discipline has defeated its own suds by
driving to desperation"
s. Granted, that there are such isolated cases,
what do they prOve--the evils Of an ilIiberal
morality or the reckless depravity Of the human :
heart: 1t is on such occasions as the present,
that vice too often receives the approving smile
Of wealth, fashion and influence, and virtue her
deepest wounds
Miss Carson, fear you place more stress on
the influence Of your sex than the subject viii
justly warrant"
''Not at all, sir. Tell me, if any of the pres
ent company Of young men shall be laid in
drunkards grave, to whose inhqnnce may it in
reason be attributed: Will you tell me the in
iuence Of her who fills his glass tonight will not
add weight and speed to his descent Z"
Irving and Emma were standing apart from
the company. Their conversation being in
low tone Of voice, was not overheard among the
general confusion Of tongues and dishes
A couple Of ladies passed over to them and
chided them for being unsociable Irving had
put the wine untasted on the window
which, one of the ladies observing, inquired why
their glasses were not empty. Irving laugh
ingly remarked that he had Just discovered
Miss Carson had conscientious scruples, when
one said, wait till / get another glass, and
Kate and | will drink with you"
The glass was brought, and the three drank
with great glee, twitting Emma on her "puri-
tanism" The conversation changed, and moth
ing further was said ON the subject that night.
Enough had been said to awaken Irving from
his dream of happiness, and reveal to him .
barrier to the contamination of his hopes.
Could ne yield Emma without a struggle with
his enemy-ruthlessly deraolish that bright
structure of the future which he loved to
gaze-wantonly crush the blossoms of hope
strewn along his pathway, and which, if kindly
nourished, would return harvest of sweet
joys
His better feeling turned with proud contempt
from such picture, and met-the cold sneer,
the taunts and ridicule OF his evil genius
Hawkins. How true it is that