Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-08-30

pleasing to those who look for fair exterior
before looking for the real merit, If any,
which is to be found beneath. Henry had
not been long in the employ Of Mr.. Loe,
when he became acquainted with his beau
tiful daughter, Caro- and desire at their, !,
first meeting, if we may believe his own
words, entered his breast to win the fair
jewel.
ssDlr. Lee was business man in the strict
est sense of the word, and paid much more
attention to his day-books and ledgers than
to the affairs of bis family. He was soci-
able old fellow, and as perfectly confding
to those in his employ, as to those who stood
upon level with him; thus his clerks and
laborers were as often invited to his house,
and as politely treated, when there, as the
man of millions Henry was not slow to ac-
cept the invitation of Mr.. Ice, nor was he
backward in improving the freedom thus
granted him. With his handsome person
and oily tongue, his bowitching smile and
graceful bearing, he was not long in making
q favorable impression upon the tender soul
of Caro-. Every art of which he was master
was practised by him to win the esteem and
love of the pure-hearted girl, and at last he
was successful, The tender cord was touch
ed, the well-spring of her affection he found.
he possessed the key to future wealth and
happiness.
81 need not go through, George, with all
the particulars of their days of wooing of
the opposition of Carols mother to their
union the interruptions in loves passage,
and all this, for it would be, to you, unin-
tcresting. Suffice it is to say that they loved
each other tenderly and we'll. Mr.. Lee
thought Henry very paragon of perfection,
and he gave his consent readily and willing
ly to the union. All obstacles were now re-
moved from between them and perfect bliss,
and the young and hopeful lovers were hap
Ply. Now all was hustle in the house of Mr..
Dee-cooks and dress-makers and servant
girls were as busy at their respective duties
as though each and all were to be married
too, and everything progressed finely. Mr..
Lee gave to Henry few weeks in which to
make due preparations for his part in the in
teresting performance 1t was duly impro-
we'd by him, and all went as merry as mar
riage bells. The day at length arrived, and
Henry Leland and Caro- Lee were made some
flesh" That night the rich mansion of Mr..
Lee resounded to sweet masic, to gay laugh
ter and happy merrymaking. 1t was bright
and joyous scene, and many were the silent
prayers sent up to the throne of grace for
the future happiness of the beautiful BRIDE
A splendid house was purchased for the
young couple-that's the house yonder,
George, hid in those stately elms--and Hen
ry became the junior partner in the firm
of 'Iee g. Leland, merchants" Let US
pass over just one short year, George, and
again take up our story. In that mansion
thcre-the one to which / have just pointed,
is heard the auctioneer's hammer, and his
ropid call of "who bids higher % He is
selling the rich furniture that once belonged
to Henry Leland, but now the property of
his numerous creditors. A few months af-
ter his daughters marriage Mr.. Ice became
a bankrupt. having engaged in the ruinous
speculation of land, in which so many lost
their all. Poverty he could not endure; and
in less than one short month from the day of
his failure he was carried to that bourn from
whence no traveller returns. But q few
weeks elapsed, and Mrs Lee, who had for
many years enjoyed but feeble health, fol-
lowed her husband to the grave. Henry
could not stand the awful shock the blow
almost entirely unnamed him. A habit
which had long been fixed upon him, that of
indulging in the free use of intoxicating IL
quors, and which had been profound Sc
cret to all except his wife, now broke out in
all its fury, subservient to no restraints, and
he, with giant strides. began the downward
road to ruin. Now, not day passed over
his head that did not find him intoxicated.
His creditors seized the whole of his proper
ty, and now they are selling it to pay his
debts.
In that low, mean hovel, which you sec
standing near the mansion, lies tho wife of
Henry Leland, now listening to the cry of
the auctioncer, death knells to the soul
now writhing in the agonics of a devouring
fever In her wild delirium she calls upon
Henry to rush from the brink of an awful
preeipiee which she sees before him; then
in accents Of suppressed grief, begs him to
abandon the deadly wine. As she lay there
upon the brink of eternity Henry cntened in
state of beastly intoxication. For a mo-
| 80 A. l...k.f,J IL