Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-11-28

attractive objet of the attentions, the devo-
tons, and thgmportunities of score of
young men ofhe neighborhood. She was
aware of the Pp,isons of her fathers will.
aud honestly ltended TO comply with his
50 tersently e4ressed wish but soon-too
soon, indeed-te teas that injunction to appear
harsh, unkindflnfortunate, unreasonable.
Three searsefter her fathers death, she
then being eigfen years of age, she became
acquainted, at afesti,e party, With an indi-
sid"al upol Wise honor, faith and mani-
.ess her dest assts hesas shsss4s-1to de-
pend. lie knew her fair, accomplished
girl, ard as an heires of half million. He
was but a visitor a that Town. He re-
manned there but a fw weeks, but during
that time succeeded loo we'll in leaving
highly favorable IMPRESSION Of his worth
upon the heart of lha lady. He returned
IN one month, announcing his intention 10
reside in that ViIlag. The vanity, not
criminal, but natural vanity of the woman
was gra'lt1ed; she recognized in this volun-
iaf! abandonment Of his former home and
ttlends, to take up hs residence there,
trcute from his heartto her own personal
and mental aiiractiots. He failed not in
soon confirming that belief and in protesta-
tons OF deep affection, and urging the in,
e>ltable life Of wretclhdness he would en-
dure IN case Of her rejection, as we'll as by
Tie display Of all tie outward accomplish
'nen's and bearing Of a gentleman, won her
love, and obtained from her promise of
marriage. These proceedings had been
secret, and we're entirely unknown TO her
guardian with whom she resided. The be-
tro'hment was soon followed by an urgent
request for speedy marriage In her hours
OF biISstul communion with her lover, she
had almost forgotten her fathers command
Ii now came upon her with sudden and Bit
ter force. She answered the proposal of
marriage by stating that her fathers diving
command was that she should not marry ill
twenty one. This he met by ridicuIino the
] fears and superstition OF q too anxious parent,
and holding out 10 her the alternative of
obeylng an unreasonable request of deceas-
! ed parent, made when she was a child, and
when her capacity for forming a proper al
lance could not be determined ; or the dis
tress, ruin, madness Of a true and honest
heart which could not exist ifseparated from
! her.
The next objection met with more serious
consideration. She told him that she could
not obtain her property till she was of full
age. Though this was unexpected, and did
not at all agree with the I'D pes and aims of
the willy suitor, he was tcaksa,v ~ 81 lied in
I flfe t1ere1ore promptly interrupted her in
her explanation of the conditions of her faith
ers will, By the most solemn assurances that
with him her fortune had not a feathers
weight; that he loved her, and that love
would be as pure, and as strong, and as de
voted, had she been reare,!in o,erty, instead
of in the expectancy of wealth Again and
again she sought to explain to him that with
her marriage before tie period fixed by her
father, she would sacrifice all her expected
wealth but with the blindness which often
overtakes and misIeads svarice and the other
base passions Of human nature, he assured
her that he knew all hat be was aware of
everything, that he had enough for both
and was prepared TO remedy 10 the extent Of
all he possessed any Inconvenience she might
suffer, pecuniariIy, from disobeying her fath-
E er's request. In telling her that he knew
, all be meant no Ealsehood he had made
carefully disguised enquiries, and by every
one whom he addressed be was told that
| Miss G. would inherit her fathers fortune
al twenly-one, but not before II did not
: suit bis designs to unmask his motives, and,
ID disgusting with Indifference bis questions,
9 he failed TO ascertain the whole truth. Sup
posing her fathers will was simply framed
+ to prevent the fortune falling in any way,
9 however remotel y, under the control Of hel
husband before she reached that mature
q age, he desired by marriage 10 secure it ul
timatey. He had good cause for speed
with him prompt and secret marriage was
essential, for penniless he could not much
F. longer maintain appearances, or pay hi
- board, for which he was largely in arrears
His apparent disinterestedness at lengtl
prevailed over the daughters obedience. 4
= false statement that her guardian had for
bid him addressing her, with incessant urg
- ing that business required bis presence j
:, > New York fol- several months, swept ava
= all further objections to an immediate ant
\ secret marriage. They were married pri
~ ~ vately at a neighboring village, and, 10 th
8 brides surprise, be advised her return t.
- - her guardian house for few days. Fl
- " returned 10 his own lodgings, and at onc'
- - publicly, every where, and TO all he me-
j, announced his marriage. L. few hour
- T. he called at the house Of bis newly wedde
r wife, and as he entered 1t, her guardian, wh
had just heard Of the marriage, also entered
He was sternly questioned as to the truth {
the report, and he molly avowed it, makin
49, no apology for the Unauthorized act, but a
. suming the attitude of one who was enttle
to admiration for a most successful ms
oi, neuvre. He demanded permission to Sc
en- his wife she was called, and in their presenc
the guardian bewailed the imprudence
an their conduct, and for the first time, Il
be hitherto daring groom learned that by b
IS. marriage his bride had forfeited the fortur
on of her father
he Baf1ed, disappointed, cheated, the late a
He dent wooer stormed and raved he turnt
nd upon the poor trembling woman to whor
70. but few hours before he had pledged etc
10 - nal love, and charged her with basely decei
:" ing him. Overcome with grief, she fainte
hu and before she recovered he had left t
rh house and the city. She heard no more
ot, him for years. During all that time, Wi
to the ncomprehensibility of woman's deyotic
He she had loved him. His name which |
or many months had been coupled with
80 proaches and contumely, never passed h
'Se' Inns She WOuld not helieva him the M.