Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1854-11-14
THE SEDUCER AND HIS SON.

| rTcHCn MHTQuIS Of EOou WebItn, Wnos'
estates lie in the sonth OF France, came
10 Paris and ennoblcd his character (l
the eyes Of his club associa,cs) by ma
king pretty French girl-whose only
iEeal,h was her beauty, and whose only
Crime her trusl(ulness-;he victim Of hi.
arts of seduction. But the Marquis
though making promising beginning
was not so far stepped in the fool fash
ions of the capital as some OF his fellows
and when he learned that the poor vic.
tim OF his arts had become the mother o
a son, he made provisions for both wo
man and child. True, her heart was bro
ken by his violation of promise, and by
the failhlcssness she had lound where she
had given and expected trust but she
struggled TO live for the sake Of her son
whose life depended on her. Year by
year she clung TO her widowed and desc
late existence with new tenncity as she
saw the manly grace Of the father ripcn
ing in the child year by year, too came
The promised aid, by which she was cna'
bled TO elucntc her son, and 10 place
him at length ia good employ in the
Office of a successful advocate OF Paris.
All this time she had deceived her son
with the lying, but charitable story, that
his father died early-before he was born
even and the child had trusted the moth
er with implicit faith. His character was
honest, and his capacity great enough to
win for him the entire confidence Of his
employer.
But there was daughter in the house
where he served, and she shared the con.
fdence of her father, the advocate in the
son Of the widowed mother. Confidence
grew into esteem, and esteem (as it willy
ripcned by.and by into love and before
the Misunderstanding in her blighted
heart the secret of her shame--was aware
Of his passion, her son had pllghtcd his
tro,h TO the daughter Of the Paris adyo.
cate, Mt whose desk he was winning his
way TO reputation and to fortune.
The Paris advocate was neither sur.
prised nor offended it was only'neces.
sary to produce the usual testimonials o.
honest extraction, and he would cheer.
fully submit 10 the arrangement. The
son appealed TO the stricken mother
alas she had no testimonials to show.
With soils and tears she told him Of the
grief Of her life. All the sons hopes were
blish'ed. Yet he was calm. He deman
ded lhe'name Of her seducer she refused
10 give it. Entreaties proved unavail'
ing. The son, in her absence. broke
open a secret drawer of her table, and
found there the letters which informed
him Of the crimes of the Marquis dc E
-, and of the promise which he has
made and brokcn--that he would marry
his mother.
He closel carefully the drawer bu
taking with him the evidences of the
wrong inflicted upon his mot. or. he Sc
off for the south. He traced his father t(
his estates in Provence he learned lha
he was still unmarried.
lie presented himself to him in his stu
ly--where he sat. com.l looking olC
gentleman, his head silvered with sixty
years. His son calmly and cocly tol,
him of his name and Of his errand hi
came 10 demand Of the Marquis the full
fllment Of his promise, TO marry the wo
man he had wronged.
The old Marquis was disposed 10 h
kind to the young man who claimed hin
as his father he assured him that h
should be cared for, and that at his deall
he would leave him the bulk Of his for
tune.
But the son, recalling the loved on
who would be lost to him, and the wront
of his mother, was not satisfied with tn,
reparaton. He pleaded earnestly bu
in vain.
AT length he left the Marquis, sayin
as he left" | give you three hours Il
reflect, and may God grant that you de
eide to repair the wrong you have don
TO my mother but if not, | warn you
that, as God lives, one of us two mus
die. ,"
The Marquis--very cool, and lookin
perhaps too coolly on the despair OF q
injured and desperate man--took no lul
ther precaution than 10 call in coupl
of gentlemen to witness the coming in
terview. These concealed ,hemselve
behind the curtains of the window an
the old man received the son as cooii
as before.
Have you decided 2" said the youn
man. 81 have decided" said the ol
gentleman, never 10 marry your mott
er.
Be it so," said the son flushed wi,
despair, >" and may God judge betwee
r US. " At the instant drawing pistt
), and firing upon his father.
The witnesses rushed forwatd to 81
: cure him before he could discharge
D second which he held in his hand.
: The Marquis was wounded but M
dangerously. The son is speedily
take his trial. Will opinion acqu
y him
! We fear not--in France.
AGE. N1a rooI fhot NonoIpOn WAS