Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-02-07
THE coNv1cTs CONFESSION.


injustice might be done to an individual who
possessed not sufficient moral courage to take
those steps which were necessary to his own re-
demption from evil attempted to be thrust upon
him
1t so happened that l was in attendance upon
family professionally for some years where there
were several daughters and out of compliment
to me, presume, l was invited to the wedding
of one of tlrese young girls, with gentleman IN
my way, worthy of her as regarded habits, and
manners, and education although unhappily
he did not possess that amount OF wealth he
could have dispensed so well, and which, some
how or another, generally gets into wrong
hands.
It's all very well for foolish, unthinking peo-
pie who form this fault, to prescribe to say that
learning is better than house or land but others,
who know the world, owuid have DO difficulty
whatever in making a choice.
Those who are at all practically acquainted
with society know that it is not education
manners, or talent, that makes the man-but
money.
The question now asked concerning anybody
is not "What is he p but what has he got 7"
and if the answer can be Money" he of course
becomes possessed of every virtue under the
sun.
But to return to my tale.
Mary Dampsey, then, about to be mar
RED TO Mr.. John Sinclair, who. as l have just
observed, had the learning, but alas not the
house and land, which the proscriber makes so
light of
In fact, he was a man of good talent, making
living by an exercise of that talent ana II
was difficult matter to premise that he was
a man who, i'll due time, was highly calculated
to become famous and celebrated for his acquire
ments but il requires long and tollSome jour
ney before any one-let his qualifications be
what they may-can reach
Fairies proud temple where the cnVious throng within
Fling mi on the enVious thrOng without"
And as he did not come OF a noble family, ana
as he would not pander to any political party,
he was on what may be truly considered the Ion
gest possible road and the steepest to the sup
posed temple
But, however, he won the heart of Mary
Dampsey, and that was indeed, to my mind a
conquest worth the making Tor a genter, fairer
being, never had its birth.
Before the marriage happened to be men,
tioning the matter to friend, and he said, hen
l uttered the name of the bridegroom,
"Sincair-Sinclair. God bless me! Did you
say Sinclair? Is he young man, with "a
good looking expression of countenance ~
''Yes, the same"
ooh, well, there's something wrong about
him."
Something wrong What, is he out of his
senses 7 l never saw better looking head III
my life There must be something wrong about
you to say So"
"Oh, no l can't tell you what it is, exactly,
but know l have heard something or another
that ] cannot exactly call TO mind. It's very
provoking to chase u thing through your mem
ory, but really. Hang it, what can it be
IT'S something, however, against him, l
know"
at cannot be anything very important, then,
as you have forgotten it; and should suggest
that you ought to be very careful indeed how
you say anything of the sort against anybody.
You don't know the incalculable injury it may
do"
oh won't say anything against anybody
hot |. But now perfectly recoilect, 1t was
Smith who told me there was something or
another that he had heard from Jones'.
Now, really, this is too bad y.
"Oh! no, it amt too bad and as l have recol-
lected it, III ask Smith, when see him, what
it really as, now; and, if he can tell me, IL
let you know, and then You can judge for your
self. Upon my word, feel quite uneasy about
it; and, for the sake of Mr., Sinclair it ought to
be sifted, you see
Very well-yery well. Do as you Ike in
the matter. l don't think such vague charges
ought to be brought against any one; and if
had been you. l would not have said a word
about it, don't mind saying so, because l
know you would not do an injury to any living
creature, except through carelessness, and care
less you know you are"
The short conversation ! had had with my
friend had left an unpleasant sensation upon my
mind with reference TO Mr., Sinclair; and when
a note came to me by post, the next day, the
superscription of which knew to be in the
hand writing Of my friend who had made the
unknown charge against Sinclair, l opened il
with some eagerness, and, read as follows:
"DEAR-:-I have Smith, and found out all about
that now, my dear fellow? The idea of young lady
marrying any body belonging to what may be called
tdnspOtdL4s family Isn't it dreadful? 1t was some for
ging business Yours, in haste,
PS Don't say said it,"
This note gave me some uneaslneSs, although
if Mr. Sinclair had twenty brothers, and the one
half of that number had been hung. and the
other half trans ported could not, for the life of
me, see that il constituted any charge against
him But | knew that was on such points
rather singular, and consequently 1t gave me
some uneasiness to think that this matter might
seriously affect the prospect of Mrs, Sinclair
l went to the wedding.
All was in readiness-all sunshine, JOY,
expectation, and hilarity, until the time arrived
when the bridegroom ought to have made his
appearance. And 10 he came not
Minute after minute few by in anxious expec-
ta,ion, and at length the bride burst into tears,
and declared that something must have hap
pened to him, and implored some of the gentle
men 10 60 and make inquiry for him.
One Of her sisters, however, intertered, say
ing:
MARY, you ought TO feel by far tee indignant
TO send after your bridegroom. The insult Of
his being now FIVE minutes too late should be
sufficien. to eradicate him from your thoughts"
NO, no, Maria said Mary; Il know him
better than YOU de-mush better, assure you.
His absence is no faalt OF his and an accident,
let il happen when it will, should have no effec:
upon my affections
THAT sentiment does You a world of honor,
Miss Dampsey,7 said L; and if you will permit
me to go and make inquiry for Mr.. Sinclair, |
shall GO, think, in the spirit you would wish
me-"
She thanked me by look, and left the
house.
Luckily this affair did not take place in the
church but in the house of the Dampseys,
where although it WAS little contrary TO Gus
tom so TO do, the bridegroom had agreed to meet
the bride, and accompany her to the sacred
edifce.
l had the address of Mr. Sinclair given me,
and, as il was not above three streets off where
he lived in chambers, walked there, ana knock
ed AZ the door on one of the staireases, which
bore his name upon its panel
For few seconds there was no answer, al
though thought l heard some one move in the
room, and then | knocked again rather sharply,
when the door was opened BY Mr.. Sinclair him
self; and | think shall never forget the look OF
unutterab!e woe that was upon his couEtenance.
Mr.. Sinclair" / said, IF this IS an intru-
sion. hope you will pardon it. l come from