The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-04-23

i descent to Avernus is easy He complied
with the solicitations of his tempters. He be-
came party-a loser-ruined! In the course
Of few hours his own means were forfeited,
and Maria's. too! Her entire fifty thousand
was scattered 10 the winds.
In the meantime Mrs Atkins returned to
her home, and informed the anxious inquirers
about Maria, thatshe seemed to have done well.
| Nor was Maria Immediately aware Of what
had recently transpired in relation to her hus-
bands affairs. He, tits true, was apparently
quite i'll at ease-but assigned some little all
ment as the cause, and thus kept her from an-
due anxiety.
| But rumor did not long delay conveying the
sad intelligence to Maria. It came, and came
with vengeance! AT first he staked his own
property, then hers! Her entire ifty thousand
was beyond control hers no more! s
Maria could not believe it. ooh, no, it was
impossible! TWAS slur on the character Of
Mendon--a fabrication to iniure his good name!
| He was too much Of gentleman to be so cul
pable. 1t was all lie!" So she said-be !
lieved hoped! n ass
Alas, for Maria, herromance had now reach
converted into omoney-staked- y
/
lost his love for her, and bid her, at heart a
| heartless adieu.
| "Oh, my dear husband said she, edo you
not still love me?''
"Why should T., said he, ''you reproach
me for my misfortunes.''
mo, indeed" said she, Il do not--I sym
pathize with you, that is ALL
II need none Of your sympathy" said he,
"keep it for yourself"
.sMy dear husband, can you talk so to me
now? A few months ago gave you my heart,
my hand, my fortune" j.
'sAnd I wish you had them all back again, =
said he, '.for want neither of them
Maria said no more-indeed she was scarce
! ly able to say this-she saw that her romance
had indeed ruined her-that her fancy had led
her astray-astray to her utter desolation.
Retiring to her room, she threw herself into
her rocking chair, and weptlike child. Here
almost frantic. she uttered, s.Mrs. Atkins, Mrs.
Atkins! Oh! that had listened to your wise
counses! I should never have thus been the
wreck of follyP'
A few weeks after Mrs Atkins came to Pc
tersvile to reside. In few days she took oc-
casion to call and see Maria, and express her
sympathy for her calamites.
Glad, indeed. was Maria once more to see
Mrs. Atkins for she knew that she would have
one to condole with her On meeting Mrs.
Atkins, she fell on her knees; with tears in her
eyes she cried, '.Oh, Mrs. Atkins, can you for
give me-can you?" @
eyes, romantic girlp' cried Mrs. Atkins,
eyes, and more than forgive you--I can weep
with YOU"
"Oh!' said Maria, show Thankful, I am to
have one friend-one, too, so dear, so kind, SO
good'' sa5z
| '.But, Maria, how do you live through all of
your trials? Can you bear them?"
Il could" she replied. "Oh! Mrs. Atkins,
Icould, if my husband only loved me.
..Well, dear Maria, there is one that loves
you, and one that ever will; and whilst she has
home, you shall have oue-or penny, half
of it shall be yoursi'
sob! how kind you are," said Maria, 'stoo
kind for a poor maniac girl"
Fortunately for Maria, she had a rich rea-
tive, who soon after her calamities bestowed
upon her little cottage as her own, and there
she now lives, kindly remembered by her dear
| friend, Mrs. Atkins, and still saying, "Oh,
could bear it all, ifmy husband only loved me"
]. O. O. F.-We find the following in an
old English paper, from a speech delivered at
meeting of the order, in Greerock, Scotland:
The origin of the Odd Fellows is of very
great antiquity. 1t was established by the Ro-
man soldiers in the camp, during the reign of
Nero, in the year 55. At that time they were
Fellow Citizens The present name was
given them by Titus Caesar, in the year 79,
from the singularity of their meeting, and from
their knowing each other by night and day,
and by their country. And he not only gave
them the name of Odd Fellows, but at the same
time, as pledge of friendship, presented them
with dispensation, engrayen on plate of
gold, bearing different emblems, such as the
sun, moon and stars, the lamb, the lion and
the dove, and other embems of morality. The
first account of the order being spread in other
countries is in the fifteenth century, when it
was established in the Spanish dominions, and
in the sixth century by king Henry in Portu-
gal. In the eleventh century it was establish
ed in France, and afterwards by John de Ne
vile in England, attended by FIVE knights from
France, who formed a loyal grand lodge of
honor in London, which order remained until
the twelfth century, when part of them be-
gan to form themselves into union, and por
ton of them remain up to this day-the lodges
which are now very numerous throughout the
world, and call themselves the LOYAL Ancient
Odd Fellows, being portion of the original
body. The Manchester Unity is ola more re-
cent date, although there is no doubt Of its
emanating from the same source It's first in
PRODUCTION into Manchester was about the year
1900, by a few individuals from the Union in
London, who formed themselves into lodge,
and continued in connection with them for some
time, when some difference caused them to de-
clare themselves independent, and thus have
kept their work independent.
z=. ,--.- ,-o-~~~-oz~~o>o~oo-~~
A certain lawyer who dwelt in one of our
New England towns, noted for his over-reach-
ings and shortcomings, during a revival cam
under the conviction, and requested prayere
for the furtherance of his conversion. His APPS
peal was responded to by one Of the saints, an
eccentric but very pious old man, honest, plain,
blunt, square toed and hat-footed, who thus
went at it: 'We do most earnestly entreat
thee, Lord, to sanctify our penitent brother
here; fill his heart with goodness and grace,
SO that he shall hereafter forsake his evilways
o,,l fa1{ u, IL -