Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1855-03-23

ceasing exertion. Every week, sol
my rags at certain paper manufactory
and the proceeds were carefully secrete,
about my person nj could not trus, IN,
treasure moment from me. AT the ent
of three months, | had accumulated
sum which quite encouraged me; in 81,
months, l LEI, off begging, and began to
purchase.
Il had then mounted the first step o.
the ladder, which is always the hardest t,
climb. At the end Of year. bought a
smart suit of clothes, second hand-for
was still penurious-and also donkey
and cart, in which I travelled around the
environs Of Paris, and traded more exten.
siveIy and to greater advantage. soon
became well known as an enterprising
rag merchant, and being strictly honest,
and always punctual to my engagements,
| gained good credit, and began to con.
duct business on very lucrative SCALE
By degrees, l left off travelling in my
donkey cart, and employed confidential
agent in that sevivce. | conlormed my
dress and style Of living to my improved
circumstances, aud in the course Of time
purchased share in large paper manu-
factory. and became an active partner in
the concern.
4 must here relate an incident which
occurred about this time. which shows
how slight circumstance, apparently.
may inhunce the destiny Of ones life
An opulent manufacturer, with whom
had exlnsive dealings, requested my at
tendance at his house OH a particular oc-
casion, as he was suffering tlom illness
and could no, meet me at his place of
business. 1t was the first time had
ever entered so finely furnished man
sion, and my eyes were quite dazzle.l by
the imposing elegance displayed i'll all
his appointments; perhaps a more cultl-
waited ,ast, might have discerned some
what of parvenu pretension IN the ornate
adornment; but to me, such distinctions
were then unknown. As stood in an
ante.room, waiting the sumomons Of the
man of business, al nd rather aweo by the
splendor around me, my eyes were at.
uac,ed by the portrait ola young g girl,
most exquisitety beautiful, aud the habit
Of nun Of some conventional order, in
which she was portrayed, gave sanity
expression to her beauty, which seemed
to me truly angelic. You must remem-
Der, sir, that was then young and en-.
thusiastic, and unaccustamed to forms OF
beauty. and you will not be surprised
when tell you that actually bowed be-
fore The painted semblance. aud crossed
myself devoutly. Blu, | descended sud-
denly from. my altitude, for . low, sill
very laugh, evidently suppressed, rung
painfully i'll my ear aud turning round.
saw the fair original Of the picture, tho
IN the more worldly dress of rich bro.
cade, standing at the open door, with a
companion Of her own age, and looking
at me with an expression Of mingled
mirth and as,onishment. What could |
do 2 Coloring to my very temples. and
attempting an awkward bow, | foolish!y
stammered few words, in which apology
and compliment were oddly mingled.
Bu, the young lady cut me shor, by a
mere look of chilling hau,eur, and quiet
ly vanished through the door at which
she was standing. was stung 10 the
quick by her contemptuous bearing, and
angry at my own folly. for could not
but feel conscious that must have ap.
peared to her, gauke in the extreme. moi.
to say perfectly ridiculous. But, strange
as it may seem to you, the impression Of
that lovely picture, and the still more
beautiful original, never faded from my
memory; her very scorn was captivating,
and raised proud, defiant spirit, which
had never stirred in me before. From
that hour, new ambition possessed me (;
hitherto the sordid love Of money, an in
tense eagerness to acquire riches for
their own vulgar distinction, had anima.
ted every feeling Of my soul, and urged
me to incessant toll and perseverins ex-
ertion. But ,ha, vision Of loyeIiness over
turned the cold philosophy OF Mammon,
and though still earnes, in accnmulating
wealth.. 1t was for nobler object than
the mere love Of gain, and "a strong de-
sire for intellectual improvement re.
deemed the base alloy Of selfish acquisit.
ion which had so long been my ruling
passion. From thst time Madamoiseile
St Regis-so she was called-became
the beau-ideaI of my Imagination. What,
| thought, was wealth with its coveted
honors, unless might hope to share i,
with refined and beautiful woman
one like her-though would not stoor
to WOO even such one. unless | could
offer, with my golden Golfers. a soul ca.
pable of appreciatins her intellectual cul
ture, and trained to be worthy her com.
panIonshiD."
NJ. Belanger here paused, and, with q
cordial smile, repenisl,ed the well drain
ed lasses.
son the shady side Of fifty, my gooi
friend" he resumed, this may all sount
very like sheer romance bn, no one who
has loved truly and happily can ever quite
forget the day dreams Of his youth
nay, if mistake not, your "reminiscences
at this moment sympathise very warmly
with my own. But to return to my
episode, From that day | applied my
| calf o,rractI,, o., ,h, ,asI, ,,f ,oIf Il, utr,,c