Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-01-10
EVENING STAR.
THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY LOST.
BY HENRY A. DWIGHT.

able disposition, but Of little stability Of mind.
In many respects she was worthy of imitation
and praise-not in all. She was so apt to re-
cede from her engagements, and, therefore,
| too little reliable as a companion or friend
Now she was of this mind-now Of tbat-to-
day one thing, to morrow another. At one
time she would accede to this or that proposal,
at another she would fly from it.
| Such was the character of Mary Atwill, and
yet she had many admirers Sometimes they
admired, indeed only to execrate afterwards
- for whilst she captured with her charms she
neglected her victitn-she conquered to kill,
not to save the captive. Broken hearts were
never a source of unhappiness to her, for she
| considered the loss of others rather their own
fault than hers. They admired on their own
responsibilities, and were, of course, answer
able for the consequences She did indeed
encourage the attentions Of her suitors still il
was not with fixed design or if 50, with one
| only for transient period. She was willing
to be engaged, with the tact privilege how.
ever, of sundering the engagement She didn't
| think that matrimonial promises were bind
| ing, though she was willing that others should
| regard them in this light, if they thought
| proper
"But Why" she said, "should one adhere
| to what he despises2 why, if he has made a
| rash promise, break it A lady, at least
in these matters as inclination may prompt
| gentleman, too, should never marry if
| averse to the union" So Mary reasoned,
whether nationally or not her future shall de-
eide
But such were the principles of Mary's con-
duct in matrimonial anticipations, and these
| principles originated from her fckleness of
mind. Had she duly reflected on her relation
to others, the sensibilities of her admirers the
ohljpationq which each ipdiuiduol oc bo
class in society sustains to the other, and the
advantages arising from proper observance
| Of the mutual claims which all persons have
upon each other, she would unquestionaby
| have rendered justice TO all, and secured her
| own ultimate good But no, Mary was too
| reckless to be under any very rigid moral re-
straints, thatis, 70 make reason and conscience
the arbiters Of her conduct. Of necessity
therefore, she was easily changed from one
intention tn another, one engagement to a
| succeeding one.
Still Mary Atwill had 30 many redeeming
qualities that her want Of stability was over.
looked. She was lively and witty in conver.
sation, polite and atf4ble in her department,
kind in her feelings, at least for the moment,
| and always ready to meet her friends and
acquaintances with a smile. In her personal
| appearance, too, she was charm-fascination
even to the most phlegmatic Not to know
her Yves to love her, for at first sight, rather
than after more intimate acquaintance, the
eye was greatly pleased. The stranger even
was taken with her beauty-such an image
was she to fancy-such an idol to admire.
Accordingly, Mary never felt the want of
admirers she always had them at command.
Still, on no one of them could she e Z her eye,
and retain il there All pleased her moro or
less-none absolutely. To make a selection,
therefore, was quite impossible for her or, if
for time she made one, she could not adhere
TO it, not even in her own mind If this one
urged his suit, she required delay; If that one
she did not like to commit herself except for
time. Many a one hoped all were disap-
pointed; and yet Mary was not coquette
she did not encourage her suitOrs wantonly
she had no desire to disappoint them; her
objections seemed to her to be real, and for
the time insurmountable; she longed to marry,
if she married at all, to please herself; if her
admirers did not suit her on inspection, she set
them aside. Perfection was her model, fancy
her guide
For few years she thus continued to en-.
courage and to diSappoint the expectations Of
her suitors
At length, having become more mature in
judgment, she concluded to listen with will
ing ear to the solicitations of young gentle
man living in an adjoining village, This
young man was highly esteemed by all that
knew him As to property, too, he was in
comfortable circumstances, and could easily
maintain family and live in genteel style
No reasonable objection could be made
against him as a proper candidate for matri-
mOny. Many young lady, indeed, would
have thought herself highly honOred TO have
received his attention.
In point CT education, too, he was superior
to many of his associates, having prosecuted
his studies, in his youthful days, beyond his
cOmpeers. Already had he taken a command
ing position in the community in which he
lived, and he bid fair to become man of su.
perior influence. In person he was likewise
dignifed and prepossessing.
With William Randall, young man pos
sessed of 80 much to commend him to her
favor, Mary, after o short acquaintance, was
decidedly pleased. True, indeed, she had one
objection TO him--he was a mechanic; but this
circumsta she resolved to Overlook No
one had ever pleased her 30 much, and to every
one there had always been something objec-
tionable.
Mere accident it is true, had caused him to
become acquainted with Mary. Still these
two persons seemed to have been designed for
each other, so easily and so naturally did they
take fancy the one to the other.
Some few months passed away, each con-
graduating the other On their happy anticpa.
tions, and each becaming more and still
more interested in the others future welfare
The world around, it is true, always incred-
ulous, and frequently little too much so, had
no great confidence in these wooings, for they
had known Mary Atwill before, at least so
they said. OF course they did not expect any
thing else than rupture between these two
devoted ones. Mary had not, they said, con-
stancy of purpose enough to adhere to any
engagement. She looks, too, they added, a
little higher than a mechanic
But William Randall had no fears; he was
sure of the result. Mary had, it was true,
disappointed others, him she would not, she
could not
Thus hope spread her brightest bow before
him, and he believed her promises. Among
the sceptical on this point, Mary had par
ticular friend who, to confirm her into res
olution to adhere to WirIir, us addressed
her.
Mary, do you think that you do really
love William Randall?"
'MOst certainly do" Mary replied.
"Your friends imagine otherwise
They do! well, they are greatly mista.
KEN