Smyrna times., 1855-05-02
From the Cleveland Leader.
A Bit of Romance.

Five to six years ago, rich Louisiana plan-
ter died, leaving an only heir, daughter, who
was not quite seventeen years old. She, tOge.
ther with her fortune, was placed in the charge
OF a guardian, who was distantly related to the
family. Her torune,and her remarkable beau
ty, attracted the attention of MANY suitors
among whom was an accomplished young man
from ST. Louis, whose only wealth was his
profession. His handsome person and fascina-
ting manners won the lady's affections, and,
without the knowledge of her guardian, they
were privately married.
Shortly atterward they moved to st. Louis.
where they lived together happily for time.
and bright future seemed to beSfore them.
AT the expiration of year, the lady having
attained her majority, they returned to New
Orleans to claim her fortune and live in the
splendid old family mansion. They were coldly
received by the occupant, who deliberately in
formed them that the estate had passed into
other hands They at once applied to the law
for redress, and going through the protracted
ormaIties Of two or three frultess suits, they
were left penniless, and obliged to abandon the
case. Frlendless and dispirlted, they returned
to st. Louis, where the husband, like many
other husbands, tried to drown the remembrance
Of his disappointment in the fatal cup His
wife entreated and admOnshed in vain. A
|
band became more reckless and dsspated than
ever. Driven at last to desperation, the wife
applied tor divorce, obtained it, and retired t.
a convent. This restored the wretched man to
his senses; he abandoned his former associates,
returned to the paths Of virtue, and became an
industrious and respectable citizen.
few months ago the lady received letter
from the son OF her former guardian, informing
her of his fathers death, of his inheritance Of
the estate, and Of his determination to make
full restoration, closing with an appeal to her
to forgive his misguided parent, and TO come to
New Orleans and enjoy her fortune She at
once complied with the generous request; and
all her inheritance, together with the accumu-
lated interest, was restored to her.
Now comes the strangest part of this most
extraordinary affair. The young man offered
her his hand in marriage, and plead with all
the earnestness of Impassioned love. He re-
minded her OF all their childish attachment of
his deep anguish when she became the wife of
another, OF the long years of his silent sor-
row. All these remembrances came up before
her mind, and gratitude plead eoquenty in his
favor; but at last the wife trumphed over the
woman She thanked him, and gave him her
simple blessing; told him that she had loved
but one, and could never love another; and en-
treated him take back all her fortune, and per-
mt her 10 return to the convent. Finding her
resolution unalterable, the young man consen-
ted on condition that she would postpone her
return one month. He Immediately wrote to
the former husband, who was ignorant of what
had transpred offering him a first-rate situa-
ton condition that he would come mmedi-
ately. The letter was signed by the principal
of Il we'll known firmly was apprised of every
circumstance in the case As soon as the let
ter came to hand, the overioyed recipient took
, passage for New Orleans. He presented him
scfat the place designated in the letter. and az
: once made himself known by showing his Gre
i dentlals. He was conducted to the residence
of the generous heir, where, he was informed.
J the writer OF the letter waited to receive him.
His name was announced, and he was conduc-
: ted into an elegant parlOr, and there, alone he
!. met the woman whom he had neglected and
!. dshonored-the woman who had been forced &c
O Ieave him, but who would not quite give him
l., up.
e A few days afterward, the city newspaper:
If announced the marriage ofM r.- and Mrs
II --. The estate was restored to the Lawful
= owners, and the reconciled couple, made wisel
: and better by adversely, are now living happil,
= together.
~ 1t is good to turn sometimes from the cares
! lnd turmolls OF politics, and contemplate human
,rlature rising up from the depths Of misery anC
/ lcspalr, casting aside sefishness, and reach
An2ng that standard Of purity and happiness which
d so few attain