The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-06-28
PERRYSBURG, OHIO, SATURDAY, JUN
CHARLOTTE LINEELL
The Fathers Curse.
BY CARROLL CLIFTON.

Ine fatherIS CurEe.
BY CARROLL CLIFTON.
In one of our great commercial cities,
many years ago, in a splendid mansion, on
a fashionable avenue, lived retired merchant.
The elegence of his establishment and the
luxurious style of his living denoted him 10
be wealthy. His family consisted Of his
wife and three children-two sons and a
daughter. AT the time our story commences,
Mr.. Linnell was about fifty years of age, and,
notwithstanding he was of stern and inflex-
ible nature, he possessed many excellent traits
of character.
His wife was of a milder disposition, and
about equally loved and feared her "lord and
master" Edward, his eldest son, who was
in his nineteenth year, bore a close physical
resemblance to his father, but lacked that
indomitable energy and stability of mind
which characterized the old gentleman, and
to which he was indebted for the successful
business career from which he had lately
retired.
Frederic, the second son, was about eight.
cen months younger than is brother, and
was Of totally different temperament
He resembled his mother in many respects
lie possessed the same mild spirit and affec-
tionate disposition, linked with his fathers
firmness and energy of purpose. He was Of
medium statue, well formed, and as straight
as an arrow. His face, which was the per.
lection OF manly beauty, was true index o
his heart. His lofty brow, shaded by darE
brown hair, slightly wavy, and as soft as silk,
indicated pure and noble aspirations, while
from the depths of his large blue eyes looked
out soul, unpolluted by the communicating
influences of the world.
Charlotte Linnell, the youngest of the { rec
had attained TO the bewitching age Of "swee
sixteen" She was of medium height and
rather robust form. Her face was not beau
tiful, yet the thoughtful and ever-varying ex
preston of her countenance interested th,
beholder, while her cheerful disposition anc
courteous manners won the admiration ant
esteem of all who possessed her acquaint
ance.
Until within few weeks of the time wher
our story commence S, the Lnnell family haC
lived in the uninterrupted enjoyment of eacl
others society but Mr.. Linnell being desi
rous Of educating his eldest son for the lega
profession, had accordingly gent him TO col
lege. Frederic, who still remained at home
was left TO follow his own inclinations, which
most frequently led him to spend his time ii
the studio OF a young artist, few squares
from his fathers mansion, whom he had &C
cidently become acquainted with
/ Henry Moliere was young man Of pre-
possessing appearance and affable manners
who had come to the city to study the pro
fessiou Of an artist, for which he had natu
raj taste. He at first took lessons of al
/ eminent pOrtrait paipf.r. h,t ! =, !,
limited, he was obliged to discontinue then
and seek living by his own skill. Accord
ingly he hired small room, and CONNIE ncel
painting landscapes and fancy sketches sug
gested by his imagination. HIS picture;
possessed real merit and sold readily: anl
through the influence of an old gentleman
who became interC sted in him, he procured
the portraits of several influential citizens o
the neighborhood in which lie was located
all of which he executed with so much TASTE
and elegance, and so true to life, that hi.
reputation, as an All tist of true merit, became
established, and customers hocked in upor
him, and his affairs reached truly prosper
ous and flCurishing condition. 1t was abou
this time that Frederic became acquainted
with him, and he used TO spend many hour,
in his studio, watching him at the easel, anC
asking numerous questions concerning hi,
labors, until warm friendship had sprung
up between them.
When his labors for the day were over he
used frequently to go home with Frederic
aud spend his evenings. But we will no
tire the patience of the reader by giving the
details of all that followed suffice it to say
that strong attachment sprung up between
Charlotte Linnell and the young artist ant
feeling that they should be forever miserable
if separated, he asked the consent of the old
gentleman to their union as soon as his af
fairs would warrant This met with sterr
refusal, as he had anticipated. But they
were not to be deferred even by lis refusal
to sanction their love; for, one dark night
they met at place previously appointed, and
proceeded to the house of a minister, where
they were privately married and Henry ther
took her to the humble house which he had
prepared for her. IT'S true she was not sur
rounded by wealth and all its attendant lux
uries but love was there, and that was suf
ficient for her happiness.
The morning of the first of January of the
year 18-was beautiful beyond description
A snowy covering lay stretching out ovel
the hills and valleys, and was piled upon the
roofs of the houses, while from the caves the
pendant icicle hung, glittering in the frs
rays of the sun Which was just peering ovei
the eastern hill-tops. The trees were bend
ing beneath their fleecy branches, and the
beautiful snow-wreaths were hung upon each
bush and branch in plentiful profusion, while
the beautiful image uacery of the frost pic
lures upon the window panes were suficien
evidence that the frost-king had piled his MIN
BILE fingers busily during the past night
With the first rays of the sun. Frederic
Lnnell arose and dressed himself-stirred W
the dormant embers in the CRATE and filled i
up with fresh fuel, and then went to the win
dow and drew aside the curtain. After ga