Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-08-30
EVENING STAR.
LOVE AND GOLD;
Or, TriAiug with the A6eslieus.

AOWSNSi suO uOIo poSSlOuS aTc &pOVe
the animal, as those which exalt human
nature are above those which lower it by
meanness or depravity, both, when urged
to their utmost, are nevertheless equal in
the uncomprofnising violence Of their re-
suits.
A young Flemish gentleman, having
lived in voluntary seclusion the greater
part of his life, in company with his
father, who had been banished for some
political quarrel in which he had engaged,
returned, on the death of his father, to
his native town, which was in -.
Shortly after his arrival, he fell in love
with the daughter of merchant in very
reduced circumstances. He, being youth
Of strong feeling and honorable senti-
ments and conduct, soon won upon the
sensibility of the young girl, and their
affection became mutual and intense.
The father, however, refused his consent
to their marriage, because of their me-
diocrity of means, since the youth had
but little property and himself had not
wherewith to give his daughter the least
fortune.
"But 60" said he to the young gentle
man, employ what money you have in
business, and, if you follow my directions
and experience, you may, with assuidity,
possess in a few years sufficient for an
affluent support; and shall then no lon
ger deny my daughter"
This advice was as good as it was un-
wise. 1t was the most proper thing to
recommend, and the least likely to be
done. The youth was of an ardent tenn
permanent, and had passed hrs life in soil.
tude, with bis sensibilities and passions
yearning for an object. This he and
now found. and, having means to live,
did not care to wait tedious years for the
chance of doing so afiiuently. He had
found his long desired object Of entire
sympathy, and this he was determined
not to forego for q question of worldly
possessions, wherein no man living is
happy, or justified, we had almost added,
for There are secrets in all trades, :"
which is only conventional palliative
for chicanerIes.
Lest, however, he should lose the young
lady's society, the youth agreed to her
fathers proposition. He considered the
old gentleman's postponement of the
ceremony as involving a responsibility
for the consequences. Meantime, they
were much together, and, their affection
being excessive, the young man fire.
quently besought her, in the tenderest
manner and with the most earnest en-
treaties, to grant him private meeting
in the garden after night-fall. But she,
fearing detection, could never be prevailed
upon; till one day, walking pensively
through remote bower, she accidentally
discovered the entrance to cave, the
existence of which she had never before
suspected and, having communicated
che circumstance to her lover, he so 1e-
doubled bis entreatics that she would
meet him there alone the next night,
that, overcome by has srdor and her own
feelings, she At length gave her consent.
1t SO happened that laborer, who had
been for some time at work in the ada
cent fields, came into the garden to get
some fruit, on the morning of the day on
which the lovers were to hold their ap-
pointment. The trap-door Of the cave
having been opened by the young girl
the preceding day, it had disturbed the
earth surrounding it, 80 that the man
presently discovered the entrance, and
descended. In groping about he stumb.
led over something, and, upon examina-
ton, be found it to be large earthen-
ware jar, full of gold, which the father of
the merchant had placed there in his
last illness, and, being perfect speci-
men of the miser, had died without
breathing syllable of the matter.
At this moment sound of voices
alarmed the laborer, and quickly ascend
ing and replacing the trap door, he es-
capped out of the garden.
Now this man who had been bred in
obscurity, and surrounded with indigence
all his life, was by nature of an ambitious
disposition. He was sensual, envious,
and dissatisfied accordingly. He longed
for power, that he might abuse it; and
for money, as the means for depraved in-
diligence. He now saw a prospect of
quickly gaining all his desires, and rev.
cling in his low appetites and after
wandering about the fields whole day,
in a state of feverish absorption, now
mounting hill, then climbing a tree, so
as continually to take view of the mer-
chants garden, ne repaired at nightfall
to the spot that contained his heartfelt
gold, determined to possess himself Of it
at any rate.
The laborer had scarcely descended
into the cave, when the young man came
to keep his appointment. Finding the
trap.door open, he descended also. 1t
was quite dark, but hearing something
moSe, he demanded who was there +! Re.
ceiving no answer, he repeated the ques-
ton in an authoritative voice.
Zone who will defend his cause, said
the laborer, setting his teeth, q" be you
man or devil :" for he thought that either
the one or the other had come to seize
the gold.
"For what purpose do you come
here 2" demanded the youth.
The same that you come for, re-
piled the other, with sardonic laugh:
At this the youth jealously took fire,
and he asked fiercely, 4" BY what rlghtt,
"By right of previous conquest" said
the Iaborer, "by my own will-by good
luck-or any other right you please.
At these insulting words the youth
closed with him, and endeavored to