American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-11-06

what they might and we will soon see
whether he will succeed in selling the
happiness of his child for gold. Gold
was his god, & mono other did he wor-
ship. How often do men of the world
sacrifice their happiness in this life, &
in future, for gold In their eager
ness to grasp it they forget that they
have soul to save, and what will It
profit man if he gain the whole world
and lose his own soul ?"
Mr.. May was one who thought that
happiness could not consist in any
thing else. He fixed his heart on mar
rying his daughter to gold, let her
feelings be what they might. "My
dear daughter" said he, few days
before the one that was to celebrate
the marriage of Ella to Walter Lee,
(" | wish to inform you that every pre-
paratioa is made for your wedding, and
our guests are invited. L will expect
you to obey my orders, and resume
your wontcd cheerfulness. | wish to
see no more Of this dropping and re-
pining. a gloomy bride you will make
while in this mood. Only look at your
wasted cheek and form, now caused by
useless rcpining. 1 command you to
cease it, for will not be trihed with.
| have said it, and l will not be foled
by one petty, whimsical notion. Now
dry up those tears and be gone to your
room. l ain expecting Walter every
moment"
Oh, my dear father, only think for
one moment what you are saying. Re-
call those rash words. Do YOU not see
that you have broken my heart, and
crushed my brightest hopes of happi.
ness in this life? But it is too late
now; you see that my cheek has lost
its bloom, and my form has wasted to
almost nothing? feel that | shall
soon bid ad;eu IS earth and all its ties.
DO you know that you are fitting me
for heavenly bride? Oh, the glorious
hope of heaven and Immortality :! And
now, my dear father, lctme exiort you
IN the name of all limits good, TO Seek
the Lord while he may be found /; for
he has said, 'come unto me, all yc that
are weary and heavy laden, and I will
give you rest Oh, knock at the door
of mercy"
"Go to rest, my child; wait, / will
ring for your maid, Marie" When e.
la left her father the truth seemed TO
burst upon him. ilc began to realize
what he had done, and he cried aloud,
., my God, what have | done ? for,
give me This love Of gold has robbed
me of my soul, my honor, and made
her life dark and drcary. 7 will call
her back, and recall those words-but
1t is too late now; | cannot do it no.
she will soon forget him. I'll risk Wal
ter; he will soon learn her how to for
get these troubles. She only fancics
that she loves Howard. Poh'! there is
no such thing as this love, that women
make so much ado about; and tell me
why it is that men do not realize it to
the same degree. It is all nonsense ("
Mir. May was aroused from his rev.
erie by the announcement Of Walter
Lee, who soon made his appearance.
"l am glad to see you; | have been
mpaticntly awaiting your arrival. -
" And how is my sweet Ella ? Well, ]
hope: long to sec her; and Mrs. Mny
how is she! / presume every thing is
IN readiness for our nuptuas; ] am
impatient for the moment to arrive
that | shall call her my own," said
Walter gaily as he left the room,
a brighter morning in early autumn
never dawned, than that which usher
cd III the bridal day of Ella MAY. Tho
air was soft and balmy, and the birds
had como out from their places of re-
iiuge to batho themselves in. the LIQUID
blue OF heaven. Pcrchanco they had
caught lingering strain from angels
song as they filled the air with their
mellow voices, as they lowered, guar.
dianlike, over the earth. The sun arose
and scattered abroad its golden beams;
and as the bell Of p. sent forth its
merry peals, the villagers & peasants,
clad in their holiday suits, hurried on
towards the moss.crowned chapel, to
witness the solemnization Of the rites
wblch were to join the rich and proud
walter Lee to the gentle Ella May
Tor was not Ella almost their patron
ssaIntf Many blessings from their kind
hearts had rested upon the heal where
nothing heavier than D blessing ought
over to have rested.
lbe chapel was soon filed, and the
venerable Cure stood within the chan.
cel, awaiting tho coming Of the bride.
groom, The guests woro assombIed-@
the moments floW by--ah hour passed,
anu am yet no bride or groom appeared.
Strange looks we're ihterchanpod by
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