Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-04-09
A STORY WITH A MORAL.
CLAIR A :
OR, THE SEASIDE BELLE,

... OhJ lhE DEA-olDE bLLLE,
g shall not remain in town another week.
am resolved TO have my own way in this mat
ter. II is shame to be shut up in this fur
mace when all my friends are enjoying the sea-
side. Yes, shall leave town on Saturday.
My mind is made up, and when resolve up
on plan | never yicld.'
This spirited speech came from the lips Of O
| poutng beauty, and was intended for the ears
! OF her husband, who had been for the last half
| hour absorbed in his newspaper and cigar
! He had not heard the first of the speech, but
was iOrcibly reminded of the latter clause by
the energy with which it was uttered.
10 the seaside, Clara 2' said her husband.
" have plan in my mind that was going to
propose this evening, which | think you will
| like better.o
&c What is it, Charles % she inquired.
"To reside In the country during the three
warmest MONTHS" he replied.
'' In the conntryl' exclaimed Clara. " "For
mercy's sake, Charles, do not talk about the
conntry!-a place as gloomy and quiet as
churchyard, and swarming with insects.
should die of loneliness, to be banished from
society three months -
" But could come down every evening,
Clara, and we should have Sundays to enjoy
together, while il you go to the seaside, l shall
scarcely be able to be withyou at all; besides,
The enormous expense of watering places, with
serious obstacle in the way.''
> g II peal, ppt he I am anra Charles, L know,
you eaii afford ths nttle extra eXPensei and
then, too, would rather spend fortnight at
genteel watering place thaa three months in
the country. Live while we do live,' is my
maNim.'
" hoped Clara, you would he pleased with
my Plan,' said her husband; g for | have taken
great pains to secure an agreeable home for
us in pleasant family in the country, where
there are plenty Of fields, woods, and handsome
summer residences. You cannot possibly be
lonely there
@ Nobody goes into the country, Charles, or
at least only those who cannot afford to go
to the seaside. All my acquaintances have
gone to the seaside, and 1 am going too"
Charles knew that reasoning with his spoiled
wife was ornO Use whatever. She had been
indulged too long to be influenced by reason
able arguments now. There was no alterna-
tive but to let her have her own way, to work
harder himself, and sacrifice the pleasure he
had planned for both.
Clara was wful and selfish without knowing
it. Before her marriage this trait took II very
charming form. Cupid often puts out the
eyes of lovers, or so diStorts the sight that
black becomes white, and white black. Clara
was eNacting them but Charles fhncied he
loved her all the more for it. 1t vas too late
now to teach her reason, so he resigned him
self to his fate, and began to devise means to
crafty his wife.
Five or six pounds a week at q fashionable
hotel on the beach, besides extras, was not u
small matter to young man just starting in
business and depending on every days hard
labor for success. But he determined he
would let Clara go, and give up the three
months in the country. He would economise
in town, that his wife might live in luxury out
Of IT,
Clara saw she had gained her point, and re-
joccd over it with n seliishness that shocks us
all when written out in plain terms, but often
fails to excite breath Of disapproval when
Witnessed in real life. Charles knew very
well what the next request would be, and was
not surprised when Clara said she positively
must have new summer outfit, She was al
together too shabby to appear in fashionable
society. All her friends had bought new
and expensive wardrobes, and she must do the
same.
Charles thought to himself that all this ex-
pense might have been spared had his plan
been adopted but he said nothing, not caring
TO bring about II family quarrel with the pros
pect Of being wersted himself in the combat
Twenty pounds was none too little to prepare
Tor the summers pleasure, but it was cheerful
y given, with no alusion to the sacrifice he
was to make
Clara was right in her predictions. Satur-
day night found her at most fashionable sea-
side hotel. Charles did not regret the effort
he had made to crafty his wife when he saw
how happy she was made by it.
Clara was pretty and exceedingly charming
in her appearances, a woman just lit to be pet
ted and spoiled, as long as there are people to
do it. The same amount of energy and persc-
yerance that made her so wilful, il turned in
to another channel would have made her Il no.
BILE, unselfish woman. Her faults had been en-
grated into, not born in her character. God
had given her this great gift OF beauty, and
hnr mar lf1ta baar ,,I
felt privileged to praise and tlatter her, to
check every generous impulse by constantly
pampering to her childish whins and desires.
When she grew up she was more beautiful and
winning; and as she developed in grace and
beauty, just so much more was she spoiled by
those about her.
Clara found many of her friends awaiting
her ut the seaside, who, having gone before
her, were ready to introduce her to the plea
sures of the season. Her beauty and charm
ing ways were exceedingly attractive to strang-
ers rs she soon found herself surrounded by
admirers. She had not forgotten during the
two years of her welded life, her little arts of
coquetry, and knew very we'll how to control
| homage. Before she had been u week at the
hotel, Clara was unanimously voted the belle
of the season.
This was very flattering position to sustain,
and in the midst of this tide of admiration. she
| forget what little good sense Nature had spared
TO her, and plunged headlong into fashion and
| pleasure. crowd OF attendants were press
| ing their services and deYOtiOns upon her. Her
talent for music was brought into use, and no
songs were so much applauded as those of the
charming Clara.
! In the midst of this homage Clara was aw ak
ened from her Streams by letter from Charles
1t breathed only kindness and love. He was
| happy because she was enjoying herself so
much' lie wrote in so cheerful tone that it