Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-11-15
misrelloneous
AN INCIDENT IN REAL LIFE.
THE POSTAGE STAMP.

Upon wha: small events does The happiness
and even existence of individuals depend III
Some years ago there lived, in a small interior
town in Ohio, young woman, then but fifteen
years of age. She was lie heireSs Of large
fortune, held by trustees. The will Of her
father strictly enjoned upon her, that she was
no, 10 marry until after she ha terminated her
twenty first year. He had enforced this in
junction by strong and earnest appeals 10 her
affection, and by reminding her Of the untime
" deaths of Two older sisters, who Lad mar
ried young and died childlrSs shortly afler.-
Bnt, with almost prophetic iujgmentof her (u-
lure LOT, he had added still stronger induce
ment, TO obtain her compliance with his re-
quest. lie had stipulated that in case OF heE
death or marriage before attaining the prescIl-
bed aye, The trustees should, by deed, convey
all his estate TO soine distant relatives. The
young and handsome girl soon found herself
The attractive object Of the attentions, the de-
yotions and the opportunities OF score o.
Young men OF the neighborhood.' She was
aware OF the provisions OF her ialhers VIII.
anG honestly intended to comply with his so
fervenly expressed wish; but soon-loo soon,
indeed-was that injunction 10 appear harsh,
unkind, unfortunate, unreasonable.
Three years s(ler her fathers death, she then
cuainted, at festive party, with an individu-
al, upon whose honor, faith and manlinesS her
destiny from that hour was 10 depend. He
knew her as fair, accomplished girl and as
an heiress of half o million. He was but
visitor al that town. He remained there but
q few weeks, but during that time succeeded
too well in leaving a highly favorable impress
sion OF his worth upon the heart OF the lady.
He returned in one month, announcing his IN
teption 10 reside IN that village. The vanity,
not criminal, but natural vanity OF the woman
was gra,ifed. She recognized in this.volnnta-
~ abandonment of his former home and friends
TO take up his residence there, tribute from
his heart 20 her own personal and mental at
fractions. He failed not in soon confirming
that belief, and in 2roteStations OF deep affec'
tion and urging the inevitable life Of wretched-
ness he would endure in case Of her rejection,
as we'll as by an outward display OF all the
outward accomplishments and bearing OF
gentleman, he won her love, and obtained
from her promise OF marriage. These pro-
ceedingS had been secret, and were entirely
unknown 10 her guardian with whom she re-
sided. The berothment was soon followed by
an urgent request for speedy marriage. In
her hours OF blisSful communion with her lover
she had almost forgotten her fathers command.
force. She answered the proposal OF marriage
by stating that her fathers dying command
wa that she should moi marry till twenty-one.
This he met by Iidiculng the fears and super
stitions OF two anxious parent, and hold NJ
out 10 her the alternative OF obeying an unred-
sonable request OF a deceased parent, made
when she was child, and when her capacity
for forming proper alliance could not he de-
termined, or the distress, ruin, madness oil
true and honest heart which could moi exist if
separated from her,
Her next objection met with more serious
consideration. She told him that she could
not obtain her property till she was ol full age.
Though this was unexpected, and did not at
all agree with the hopes and aims OF the willy
suiior, he was loo well skilled in deception to
betray his disappointment. He, therefore,
promptly interrupted her in her explanation OF
the conditions OF her fOther'S will, by the most
solemn assurances that With him her fortune
had not feather's weight; that he loved her,
and that love would be as pure, and as strong
and as devoted had she been reared in poverty.
instead Of in the expectancyof wealth. Again
and again she sought TO explain TO him that
with her marriage before the period fixed by
her father she would sacrifice all her expected
wealth but with the blindness which so of.
OfCltdhCo out uNulCC uuu
other base passions Of human nature, he as
sured her that he knew all; that he was aware
Of everything; that he had enough for both,
and was prepared 10 remedy to the extent Of
oil he possessed any inconvenience she nigh,
suffer, pecunianly, from diSobeying her fathers
request. In telling her that he knew all, he
meant no fasehood; he had made carefully
disguised inquiries, and by every one whom
he addressed he was told that "MisS G. would
inherit her father's fortune al twenIy-one, but
moi before" 1t did not suit his designsto un-
mask bis motives, and, in Disgusting With in
difference bis questions, he failed to ascertain
the whole truth. Supposing her fathers will
was simply framed to prevent the fortune iail-
ing, in any way, however remotely under the
control of her husband before she reached that
mature age, be desired by marriage 10 secure
il ultimately. He had good cause for speed;
with him q prompt and secret marriage was es-
sen.ial, for, penniless, be could no! much lon