True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-05-30
Z. RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.

Bel would yield instant Precedence to
Edith; yet he was constantly haunted by
these ever recurring comparisons, until he
began-the migrate to feel his engage
ment as binding chain.
81 am now strong enough" sighed Len
nard, one morning, "to think of my prep
arations to return to America. 'Iis now
May, and l must reach Virginia sometime
in July, on account of my then having
reached my twenty-frst birthday, and am
recalled by letters looking ousincsslike, in
every way. When do you think Of re-
turning, Mr.. Ashton?"
"I have been debating that question
very often of late with my wife, and We
have both arrived at the conclusion that
we have already been absentees too long,
and must wend our way 'westward-ho' also
What say you, Mrs. Ashton, and you, ma
Belle, to being travelling companions with
our friend Lennard"
"NNith all my heart" said Mrs. Ash
ton; whilst Bel, who had been seated at
the piano, ran over with taper and jeweled
figures brilliant symphony, adding to its
melody that of her own rich, mellow voice,
in the words, "Therc is no home like my
own" s.,.
And thus twas decided; and Charles
carried his Unconscious tompter from his
allegiance along with him. Their intima-
cy, the cffect--whcre any agrecability cx-
istsat all-of being "alone on the wide
sea-" did much to render him still more
dissatisfied with his engagement, and tho
he erred not in the letter, fear the spirit
suffered in his VOWS Of fealty to his ailian-
ced Edith. Alas for mans love. 1t is
indeed
"Of mans life thing apart"
Yet, one who thinks should not wish it
otherwise, for it would then be most un-
natural Man has q Thousand and one
things to call of his thoughts from his
love to passing events, glowing and chang
ing as rapidly as the evening clouds, ting
ing his thoughts and feelings, chameleon
like, with all the tints and varieties Of
change, and calling upon him to battle
with the rough necessities of life. And
all this prevents him from thinking con.
stantly Ger his dream of love- and weak
ems as a matter of course, the first passion.
ate ardor which he felt when under the
influence Of the smiles, bright glances,
and loving words. As Miss Landon most
beautifully observes--"He may turn some
times to the flowers on the wayside, but
the great business Of life is still before
him. The heart which woman could ut.
tcrly fill we're unworthy to be her shrine.
His rule over her is despotic and unmodi.
fed, but her power over him must be shar.
ed with thousand other influences.
Whilst, on the other hand, woman goes
steadily on with her domestic, monotonous
duties, till they call for no exertion of
thought, becoming purely mechanical, and
the imagination having no healthy exef-
else, runs riot in its indulgence of day.
dreams. Many and many is the maiden
who sits sewing most industriously with
bright smiles wreathing unconsciously her
lips-ask her the subject Of her thoughts
her blush will tell you better than words.
She is now feas'ing on her imagination
till her love, by constant thonght, constant
association with her daily routine of duties
and pleasures, becomes part and parcel Of
her very existence.
They have all landed in New York
the home of the Ashtons--ands still Charles
( Lennard loiters. Day after day finds him
among the groups who crowd Mrs, Ash
tons parlors to welcome their return. At
length Bel and parents decide to spend
the summer at Old Point Comfort, and
Charles Immediately finds it necessary fCl
his health to enjoy the sea air and bathing.
And SO he must answer Edith's last letter,
received whilst in Europe, and anndencc
his arrival-excuse himself, also, for not
flying at once to her presence! ,>r.