The union Democrat., 1856-08-30
From Harper's Magazine
Nr. B uchanan'. Celibaey-An Interesting
Story.

distinguished not only for his talents, but his fine
personal appearance, was seated IN n richly fur
nshed psrlor IN the city of Washington, engaged
In hVely conversation with one of the most
nmlaele and accomplished married ladies that
ever honored our national capital with her pres
ence. lhe subject was the common and most
agfeeaoie one OF marriage: and the lady with
beautiful enthusiasm natural to her character
was pressing upon the notice OF her distinguished
bachelor friend, the claims of young female
friend, whose postiea IN society, amiable dispo-
si,ion, and liberal education eminently rendered
her mt to be the w4fe OF a distinguished states
man, who had seemingly seen too many years
without u proper companion to divide his honor
and bear with him the ills O. life
The gentleman, who had for long time en- |
tered with Aearty good sill into the half Sc |
rious and half playful conversation suddenly |
became exclrsa, ana eerli
, on such subject bear all that was said in jest
but when serious arguments were brought to
urge him to change his condition, then his reply
must be-that to love he could not for his atfec-
tions We're in the grave
The lady struck with the Senator's man.
ner, and surprised that throughout her long
acquaintance with him she had never suspected
that he had found time, amidst the struggles of
laborlous profession, and high political posi-
tion, to " tall in love- With the Establishments
only known to the sex, and with a curiosity
prompted by the kindest of hearts, she asked
tor an explanation of this seeming mystery and
the gentleman, for the moment overcome by
the eloquence of his interlocutor, explained as
follows:
1t was my good fortune, soon after entered
upon the active duties OF my profession to en-
gage the affections of lovely GIRL alike graced
with beauty ot person and high social position
Her mother, her only living parent, was ambi
tious; and in thoughtless desire to make an
alliance Of fashion, opposed the union Of her
child with one who had only his talents and the
future to give in return for so much beauty and
wealth The young lady, however, was more
dlslnterested; mutual vows OF attachment were
exchanged, Il correspondence and frequent per
sonal interviews succeeded and the future
seemed to promise most happy conSummation
of all our wishes At that time had lust COM
menced, under favorable circumstances nv pro-
tession in my native town; and, making some
character, was finally engaged as counsel in a
suit of Importance before one of the courts
holden in the city of Philadelphia The oppor
tunity was favorable to make an impression if |
possessed the ability to do So and [ gladly
accepted the position and bent my whole ener-
sies to accomplish my ambition. Arranging to
write frequently to one who divided my heart
with my business duties. and to receive frequent
epistles i'll return, l set out for Philadelphia,
expecting to be absent at most not more than
two weeks. The laws delays, however, de-
tanned me a month beyond the anticipated time
- -.l.lalgh succeeded beyond my most san
euine expectations, and eSta6Iisn1d III yse1i
position before the highest court of my native
State, my triumphs were dashed that in all the
time thus engaged, had not received a line
from Lancaster, instead of which, the atmos-
phere was filled with rumors that the person
upon whom l had set my affections had been |
seduced into the ambitious designs of her |
thoughtless parent, and that l had been dis |
rH | m md OF tha
dreadful silence seemed to endorse.
At last, released from my engagement, | |
took the usual, and in those days the only con- |
veyance to Lancaster-the stage. The idleness |
consequent upon travelling gave time for con- |
stunning thoughts, and my suspense became pain |
tul to the last degree, and unable to bear the |
slow pace of my conveyance, | determined to |
anticipate the usual time of my journey by |
making the last miles upon horseback la |
carving out this determination, l mounted |
fleet steed but Just as reached the suburbs of
my native place, the animal from some unac- |
countabe cause, sprung from the road. threw
me with force, breaking my arm and otherwise
injuring my person. Picked up by my friends,
| was conveyed, helpless and full of mental and
ply sical agony, to my home Scarcely had the
surgeons performed their necessary duties. than
one whom esteemed friend, announced to me
the gossip of the village and among other things,
detailed the particulars of the courtship and
engagement OF the young lady in whom was so
interested, with a well known gentleman of
neishboring city-a person whose claims to re-
gard no one could dispute. These thing stated
with such apparent good faith, connected with
that fearful silence OF six long weeks, had no
other effect than to increase my anxiety To
unravel the mystery; and on the following
morning, conceallng my wounded limb under
cloak. probably pale and haggard l presented
myself at the mansion of my mistress. l was
received in the presence of the mother. She
confirmed my suspicious. The young lady stood
by, the picture of despair, yet silent as the
grave. Desperate at what seemed this bad
faith, l returned to my home, wrote hasty
letter demanding my correspondence. and re-
turning at the same time, every once cherished
token of affection. l received all sent for,
save, perhaps, some forgotten flower.
That night the young lady, accompanied By
a female servant, left for Philadelphia. Ar
irving st her unce's house, she complained of
being tatigued with her journey, and retired to
her room. Complaining Of some serious pain,
only soothed by narcotics, she sent her faithful
but unsuspecting servant and friend to neigh
boring drug store for laudanum, received it,
expressed the wish to be alone, and seemingly
retired TO sleep. The following morning, not
making her appearance, the family became
alarmed broke open the door, and found the
young lady dead-In her hands the little keep
sake retained from my correspondence Ihe
uncle, as if compreheuding the particulars that
led to this dreadful tragedy, had the body
/ cotfned, and with it returned to Lancaster.
Placing all that remained Of this once lovely
being in the parlor. he brought the mother for
ward, and displayed what he was pleased Ito
/ term the result of her work
"a was sent for aud arrived to witness the
eloquent agony of that mothers heart. Over
/ the cold remains of the daughter she revealed
s Yhn ,Srtf az la1 h., frlr asrit