The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-03-31
Martens Narrative,

to yourself "Martel is crazy" know this |
was your thought; for yon stared at me,
and changed the subject as speedily as posi-
bic. saw your object and grattied you by
dropping the point. But before doing so you
will rocollect, | said You should know all
some day. That promise now proceed to
fulfill.
| am yirginian by birth, and am descend
cd from a long line of illustrious ancestors.
Nv parents both died when | was quite
young; and the fortune I fell heir TO, was
enough to place me IN independent circan-
stances. Like the majority of Southcrncrs in
a similar situation, I was reared in case, and
the course Of life | led was such an one as
was prompted by my own tastes and inclina-
tons. Whether deem it a correct one or not,
[ leave you to judge, after saying that if |
had it to live over again. it should be differ
ent in many respects.
Wien 7 arrived at years of manhood, and
went into society, created something ola
sensation; for I was considered rch--ac-
omplishcd-talcntcd, and deemed an acccs.
sion TO every social circle. Twas iovial and
entertaining, and the old men as well as the
Young sought me as a companion l was
wealthy, and Of an influential family and
match making malnmas courtcd me for their
daughters sake. was handsome lively
pleasing in my address, and the young la
licS-irom what motives do not choose to
say-wgrc all anxious to obtain me MS gal
liant. or if YOU prefer the expression, lover.
| Thus sought after, iiattcrc,l, adnirCd re-
named in the city in which was born until
| reached my twenty third year. How many
of the faircst and wcal,hicst Of the bellies Of
the city | might have woocd and won-or
how many of then / fiirtcd with, and made
love to is a matter Of no moment in my mar
rativc, even if had the vanity to state it,
But had no desire TO enter q matrimonial
state, and always managed to avoid loving
too ardcntly-in other words, |, in all my
affairs Of the heart, loved Just enough to rem
der it interesting: and whom | saw danger
/ impending contriycd 10 make my escape.
sion. But ask ncnc | merely state it as
fact to prove that The spell which now binds
me to lda-or. more properly speaking
which cXerts such a mysterious influence
over nc cannot be accounted for by any or
binary system Of reasoning. ! had loved
more than once-bciorc ! saw Ida; and like
all who have cured the passion by contract
ing another, had become skcptical in regard
to the tender feeling. And, also, like all
who have formed Il dozen different attach
mcntS, had at length grown weary of society.
1t was with feeling of safety then at least
if not of absolute disgust, that in my twenty
third year left my native city and moved to
small town in the interior Of the State, for
the purpose of studying Law and dcvotmg
my attention to Literature for which had
| always passion AS considered much of
the time | had spent i'll society as frittcrcd
away, made solemn VOW | would he no
longer lady man" or man Of the world;
but would settle down into quiet un0bru-
siyc student. nc-two--thrcc months PASS
cd after locating in my new home, and my
resolution was not broken. | became fpndcr
of my books and studies each succeeding day,
and soon acquired the reputation of an indus
trious and thoughtful studcnt-a young man
destined some day to make his mark upon the
face of the world.
One balmy September afternoon while sit
ting in my room, and deeply bordering on
some abstruse subject, face at the opposite
window attracted my attention. Why ]
know not. 1t was not what the generality
of folks would call a pretty face, by any
means. 1t was not what even would call
a pretty face. [ had seen hundreds farer,
and never paused for momont to notice
them. Yet an indeiinable something took
possession of me, compelling me to rivt my
gaze on that face. I made several attempts
to read different authors, but they were all
unavailing. | tried to collect and conccn-
trate my thoughts, but could not. could
do nothing but sit and gaze, and the more
gazcd the more excited -phrenzed-
cd became. At length in a state Of dcspc-
ration rushed into the street and stroyc by
q long walk to rid myself of the intolerable
feeling. In vain. could see nothing else
think Of nothing else but the auburn curs
and blue eyes as l first bcheld them that
afternoon. | closed my eyes and cndcayored
to Shut them out from my vision; but they
each moment only became the more distinct,
until could literally feel their impression
upon my brain. At length turning on my
heel walked deliberately to the hotel-cx-
amined the MISUNDERSTANDING the name
of the lady whose face so tormentcd me, and
before sunset, sought and obtained an inter-
view with her. She expressed no surprise at
my cal-madc herself highly interesting
and, with her permission, visited her the
next day, and the noyt-and the next. At
each visit she lecame more viyacious and
fascinating. The very atmosphere in which
she moved appeared to me to be composed of
attractive particles, emanating from her,
which drew me toword her, and lulled me
into a state Of ncxpressible happiness. But
the moment left, or got beyond the circle