Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-01-30

WOnan's RIghtA.

CbLkNDhDt, v A.
| -. - fi,-----...s. .ilsZ-ls-
Womar's Rights.
| From lately published novel ,.,"The Modern
Pigrlms," we extract the following. speech of
pDe vi lis chatacters Ia Miss julia Parsons-sta-
ted to have been delivered at Wowan's Rights
ConyeDtivH: s'n'9Uoa aes..cs
|, .'Alll ask is lIber.yto act out the. true and
earnest pronpiinss ut my soul. Why may [
tnot9 Dol love2 Why should 1 conceal itf-
1 Is il upmaidenly 10 leyei ,y+,s<-yIIy is it 10
say so! For what end and aim are we created
but 10 loye and be loved? But alas by the con.
yenlonalrtIes Of society,", ponr girl must hide
| the lame which haiIows aud glows in the deep
recesses Of her soul. She must do so. or loose
caste and be jeered at. And yet there is nothing
lunwoaahIy, nothing unworthy the purity which
Heaven loves, and which We long for.
| q rI.etme tell yon story, it will illustrate all
Il have said andsis a case in point-and well re-
member what Shakespeare has said:
"An hoacst tale speeds best, being planly.toId.
II have relative about my own ace, who has
been most carefully educated. and who has a
warm heart and generous nature. Every one
says so; aud what,eyery body says must be true.
Born to wealth, she knew nothing ofi,s fearfuIIy
rrPressIng influences on tlpse moi 50 endowed
1'hereca u her fathers house young Iuan of
twenty -OBe ;ife was the sun of an old friend and
classlnate, and d minister; a poot man, rich only
| n good works, and large family Of chiIiren.-
This was his eldest son, who had worked his
way through college by teaching, and, as a tutor,
had saved a little to enable him to pay his expen-
ses while he studied his profession. My father
gladly welcomed him as gratu.ious student into
his oiiice, and at once introduced him to his fani-
ly, and said to him, in presence ofus ALL Here
you are TO come at all Times; and at all times you
will find warm weIcome' s
ss'.l WON'T tell you his name, but let him now be
known as Alfred Smith. lie was possessed of
fine, figure, and his face was always beautiful
but his modesiy, sbyness, and reserve, or what
ever else you may call ii,restng On a proud heart,
which led Inn to contrast his poverty with the
wealth he saw around him, seemed unconquera-
Bile. My friend was then but sixteen; and her
heart all unconsciously to herself, became inter-
esed IN this young man. And yea rs passed way,
say years; II was three years, but IN giri's life
what symbol OF eternity! They met daily and
gradually became mutual friends she seeking in
every way 10 show him her preference, and he
striving to keephis heart hom avowing all the
power and Intensity vi his love. She lmIe knew
of ILLS conflict. or rather OF its cause that humil
|ty which poverty compeIs, feeling she never
could dream OF. But pride, loo, iOld him he must
not WIN the child Of one his superior 10 fortune for
he knew, IN all things else, he had gifts which
would be hereafter acknowledged.
"And so It was, my young friend came to be to
him 'oright particular STAR shining in sphere
he could never reach ,0r reach too late. He COM
!neDced his career with singular success. He
rOse. rapidly; bat alas while he was full of in
tense activity, my friend was living in all the
ldleness VI Secret love- life of sadness and of de-
jecllon, too proud to tell her gricfs even into a
mIther's heart; and why? because it was un-
ma:denly. But am wearying you all Let me
hIsien 10 the close. My young friend went a.
broad for tour OF SIX months; Alfred accompa-
MED her down the bay. and returned in the pilot
boat. There were bWks reciprocaied at parting
which sustained her heart during aIlthese months
Of travel, and she returned tull OF hopeful anlci-
patiuns but her bright castles were destined 10
be cast dawn 10 ntler destruction,
$3.50 quick bright things come 10 confusion.'
Called had met, at a friends house AN ensnar-
ing young widow, who dressed sweeily, walked
gracefully, and, by enchanimenls only known to
such women, won and married him." Here her
voice FILTERED and a tear rose TO her eve. She was
telling her own hearts history. and it was no:
only '.an honest taIe," but tale which every one
lelt must be true.
'.Now, ask, is there one here who questions
this cousin, This friend of mine, had lived under
healthful public sentiment of The rights of maid
ems as well as Of mairans, would she have made
such a stipwreck Of her happiness! No! she
would have saved this gifted, noble soul from the
wIles and enficements OF slIowy. heariless wo-
man. and have lnId him of her willingness 10 share
her wealth with him. or by lille OF labor, if need
be. to test her devotion and love. So help me,
Heaven! I will never submit to trammels riyet-
ed upon me by long ages of degradation to my
sex and Of dstrusr If wo,Danhood but this is wis
dom now all too lac."