The Winchester appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-03-01

therefore, that his daughter sought a
reconciliation; she met only a stern re-
pulse.
Years went by, and it remained the
same. Many times during that long
period did Laura approach her old
home, but only to be rcpulscd. At
last she was startled and afflicted with
the sad news Of her mothers DEATH
In the sudden anguish of her feeling
she hurried to her fathers house. As
she stood with others who had gather
ed around, gazing upon the lifeIess
form Of her dead parent, she became
aware that the living one had entered
the room, and, to all appearance, I'M
conscious Of her presence, was stand
ing by her side. A tremor went thro'
her frame. She felt faint and ready
to drop to the floor. In this season of
afllictionmight he not forgive the past?
Hope sprung up within her. In the
presence of the dead he surely could
not throw her off, She laid her hand
gently on his. He turned. Her tear
full eyes were lifted in his face. A mo-
ment Of thrilling SUSPENSE Pride and
anger conquered again Without a
sign of recognition, he turned away
and left the chamber Of death.
Bracing herself up with an intense
struggle, Laura pressed her lips to the
cold brow Of her mother, and then 81
lently retired.
During the time that interviewed
from his marriage up to this period,
Mr.. PercivaI had been gradually rising
in the coniidcuce, respect and esteem
Of the community, and was acquiring
wealth through means Of a large prac-
tice at the bar. AS a husband he had
proved most kind and aHectionatc. As
a man he was the very soul Of honor.
All who knew him held him in the
highest regard.
After the death of his wife, Mr..
WoodyiIle fell into a gloomy state of
mind. His business, which had been
declining for years, was becoming less
and less profitable, and to increase his
trouble, he found himself progressing
rapidly toward embarrassment if not
bankruptcy, The man whom Of all
others he had wished to see the hus-
band Of his daughter, married a beau
titul hcircss, and was living in style
OF great elegance. He met the brill
liant bride occasionally and always
with an unpleasant feeling.
One day, while walking with a gen
tIcman, they passed Allison, when his
companion said:
'Ifthat man does not break his wife's
heart in five years. | shall think she
has few Of Woman's best and honest
feelings"
"Why do you say that?," asked Mr..
WoodyiIIe, eyincing much surprise.
in the first place, 'repIied the friend
"a man with bad principles is not the
, one to make a right-minded woman
happy. And, in the second place, a
: man who regards neither virtue nor
deccncy, in his conduct, is the one to
= make life wretched."
= But is Allison such a man?'
"He is, to my certain knOWledge.--
| knew him when q boy. We were
schoolmates. He then gave me evi.
dencc of more than natural depravity
= and from the training he has received
that depravity has been encouraged tc
, grow, Since he became a man have
, had many opportunities Of observing
l him closely, and speak deliberately
: when ! say that | hold him in exceed
ingly low estimation. am personal.
, " cognizant Of acts that stamp him as
= possessing neither honor nor, as sale
before, decency, and a very long time
will not, probably, elapse before he
will betray all this to the world. Me,
: like him indulge in evil passions ant
selfish desires, until they lose ever
: common prudence"
+ "You astonish me-" said Woodville
a 81 cannot credit your words. He be
= longs to one of the best families"
c 80 called; but, judged by tru
r standard, | should say one of our wors
n families"
IS "Why do you say that" asked MI
o Woodville, evincing still more surprise
e "The virtues of an individual make
G his standard of worth. The same
g true of families. Decayed wood, GOV
cred with shining gold, is not so valu
= bic as sound and polished oak. No
e is family raised by wealth, or an
If external gliding, into high social pc
d sition, ifnot possessed of virtue, hal
s SO worthy of confidence and esteem a
i one of less pretensions, but endowe
h with honorable principles. The ia
: ther of Mr.. Allison, it is well known
: was a gentleman only in the Chester