Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-06-28
a 9elettco Story.
THE LADY.KILLER r.
MARTrNsBURG, Va.

Mr.. Frederick Smithers was q lady killer.
| do not mean to affirm that lie committed fe-
male murder in such q manner as to bring
himself under the laws of his country he
was more refined, and more dangerous in his
cruelty. He used no deadly weapon-he ad-
miuistered no poison; he destroyed by the
irresistible power by his destinations.
1t may be wondered how Mr.. Frederick
Smithers could, with a clear conscience, de-
vote himself to So heartless "a r~astine. He
could not. His life, according to his own
account, was a constant succession Of passion
and remorsc-of SHINING and repenling and
all who heard bis discourse-and believed bis
dlscourse.-pitied, while they admired him.
BY his voluntary-exceed;ngly voluntary
confession it appeared that be bad broken
confding hearts by the dozen, and had been
the real producer Of some Of the most touch
ing epitaphs in scme Of the most romantic
cemeteries about London. But though the
cause of maddening love in all of the gentle
sex who came within bis influence, he himself
remained iuseusible. Transient CLEANS of
affection be had experienced indeed-bright
spots amid the general dcsolate darkness
but loye-pure, enduring love-such as alone
could justify his making choice of one-he
had never known. 1t was his singular and
dreadful destiny to light up ardent affection,
but himSelft to be denied its warmth, and to
suffer all the pangs of regret FOR the iufiction
of unintentional suffering.
This delectable confession, we are bound
to say. found credit with but few; and some
wild young men, who were quite unsuscepti-
bic of any thing like sentiment, had even car
ried their scepticism and contempt so far as
to form from the doubtful adventures of Mr.,
Frederick Smithers, a comic song of fourteen
verses, which they were In the habit of sing
ing with such distinguished applause at the
bachelors supper parties. Mr.. Frederick
Smithers, however, was unmoyed By vulgar
ridiculc and incredulity. and continued his
accustomed existence, making love as if by
habit-boastiug of his success and lament
ing his W ooduracy.
Ono autumn it CHANGED that Mr.. Fred
erick Smithers took it into his head to go to
Scotland. He was properly struck with the
architectural beauties of Edinburgh, and the
romantic beauties Of the Highlands, and pre-
pared to depart for London with regret when
called home by business Of Importance. He
embarked in a steamer, and alter a few hours
Of miserable sea- sickness, began TO look about
him and assume the air of q man who was
used to marine travelling. With one Of his
fellow passengers be soon became on very
friendly terms; this was q young surgeon
named Desborough, who had been making
rather a heightened stay in Edinburgh, and
was now on bis way to London, where be
contemplated the purchase Of a practice,
Smithers and Desborough walked the deck
togetber-played d~raughts :ogetber-and ex-
changing the cards when they landed, con-
tuned their acquaintance on shore. smitbers
introduced Desborough to his friends, and
Desborough introduced Smithers to his
friends, and at each others lodgings they
we're completely at homo.
Among those with whom Smithers had be-
come thus acquainted. there was one family
which soon absorbed the greatest share ofhis
attention. 1t consisted Of a widow named
Liccoln, ADD her two daughters, both very
beautiful aud accomplished girls. Desbo-