Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-10-20

natural depraVlty and from the training he
has received that depravity has been encour-
aged to grow. Since he became a man have
had many opportunities for observing him
closely, and | speak deliberately when | say
that | hold him in exceedingly low estimation.
| am personally cognzant of acts that stamp
him as possessing neither honor nor, as | said
before, decency, and a very long time will not,
probably, elapse, before he will betray all this
to the world Men like him indulge in evil
passions and selfish desires, until they lose even
common prudence"
" You astonish me-" said Woodville " can
not credit your words. He belongs to one of
the best families"
q So called but judged by true standard
should say one of our worst families"
"Why do you say that ?" asked Mr.. Wood
vile, evincing still more surprise.
The virtues of an individual makes his
standard of worth The same is true of fam-
lies. Decayed wood, covered with shining gold
is not so valuable as sound and polished oak
Nor is a family, raised by wealth, or any cy-
ternal gliding, into high social position, if not
possessed of virtue, half so worthy of confidence
and esteem as one of less pretenSiOnS, but en-
dowed with honorable principles The father
of Mr.. Allison, it is well known, was gentle
man only in the Chcsterieldian sense. 4 more
hOllOw-hearted man never existed. And the son
is like the father only more depraved"
Mr. Woodville was profoundly astonished
All this he might have known from personal
observation, had not his eyes been so dazzled
with the external brilliancv of the person con-
demned, as to disqualify them for looking deep
er, and perceiying the real character of what
was beneath the brilliant gliding. He was as
tonished, though not entirely convinced. 1t did
not seem possible that any one in the elevated
position of Mr.. Allison, could be so base as
was affirmed.
\ few months later and Mr. Woodville was
surprised at the announcement that the wife
OF MIR. Allison had separated herself from him.
and returned TO her fathers home Various
causes were assigned for this act the most
prominent of which was, infdelty Soon af-
ter an application for divorce was laid before
the Legislature, with such proofs of ill-treat-
ment and shocking deprayity of conduct as
procured an instant release from the marriage
contract
By this time, the proud, angry father. was
beginning to see that he had probably commit
ted an error. An emotion of thankfuness that
his child was not the wife of Allison arose spon-
taneously in his breast, but he did not permit
it to come into his deliberate thoughts nor
take the form of an uttered sentiment. Steadi-
ly the change in his outward circumstances pro-
greSSed
He was growing old, and losing the ability
to do business on an equality with the Young
er and more eager merchants around him. who
were gradually drawing off his oldest and best
customers. Disappointed. lonely. anxious, and
depressed in spirits, the conviction that he had
committed great mistake was daily forcing
itself more and more upon the mind Of Mr.
No0dvilie. When evening came, and he re-
turned to his silent, his almost deserted dwell
ing. his loneliness would deepen into sadness,
and then like an unbidden, but not entirely un-
welcome guest, the image of Laura would come
before his Imagination. and her low and tender
voice would sound in his ears But pride and
resentment was still in his heart. and after gaz-
ing on the penSiye loving child for a time he
would seek 10 eXpel the vision. She had de-
graded herself in marriage. Who or what was
her husband \ low vulgar fellow. raised a
little above the common herd Such and only
such did he esteem him and whenever he tho't
of him, his resentment toward Laura came back
in full force
Thus il went on, until twelve wears from the
time of Laura's marriage had passed away and
in that long period the father had seen her face
but once. and then it was in the presence of
the dead. Frequently, in the first year of that
time had she sought reconciliation but re-
pulsed on each occaSon, she had ceased TO make
approaches As to her husband. so entirely
did Mr. Woodyile reject him that he cast out
of his mind his very likeness. and not meeting
him, ceased actually to remember his features.
so that if he had encountered him in the street
he would not have known him. He could and
had said therefore, when asked about Perci-
val. that he q didn't know him OF his rising
reputation and social standing he knew but
little for his very name being an offence he
rejected il on the first utterance, and pushed
aside rather than looked al any information re
garding him.
AT last the external affairs Of Mr.. WoOdville
became desperate. His business actually died
ont, so that the expense Of conducting it being
more than the proceeds, he closed up his mer
camille history. and retired on a meagre pro-
perty, scarcely sufficient to meet his wants.
But scarcely had this change taken place, when
a claim on the Only piece of real estate, which
he held, was made on the allegation of a de
fective title On consulting lawyer he was
alarmed TO find that the claim had a plausible
basis and that the chances were against him.
When the case was brought up, Mr.. Wood
vile appeared IN court, aud with trembling
anxiety watched the progress of the trial The
claim was apparently a fair one, and yet not
really just On the side of the prosecution was
subtle, ingenious and eloquent lawyer in
whose hands his counsel was little more than
a child. And he saw with despair that all
chances were against him The loss of this
remnant of property would leave him utterly
destitute After vigorous argument on the
one side. and feeble rejOiRder on the other,
the case was about being submitted, when a
new advocate appeared On the side of the de
fence. He was unknown 10 Mr.. Woodyille