Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-12-17

SOUkTING AN 1NNOCENT.-ln very
pretty little town in one of the West
ern States lives very respectable mid
die aged gentleman. He and his wife
are excessively strict members of the
Presbyterian church, and they have en-
deavored to bring up their family in all
that innocence, piety, and ignorance of
the worlds follies, to which strict
members of that church attach so
much Importance. In this they most
admirably succeeded, for there certain
ly can be no where found more uni
ted, well bred and interesting party
The eldest daughter having arrived at
connubial age, had many visiting &C
quaintances, but none who had aspired
to her hand, when young gentleman
from one Of our eastern cities passed
through the little town in question:
He bore letters ofintroductinon to our
western friend from an old and esteem
ed acquaintance. and was thus at once
admitted to the family circle. There
he met with the daughter, and his en-
traptured senses instantly fell captive
to her quiet beauty. He had propos-
ed remaining but one day in the town,
yet before he returned to his hotel that
evening his resolution was TAKEN
The day heightened into week, and
the week into a month. Daily had he
adorned himself with every ornament
that fashion had devised to captivate
western innocence daily had he visit
ed her, and reveling in the sunshine of
her smiles, felt with what happiness he
could transport her to his eastern
home. Often and often had the poor
fellow thrown out hints, sufficient he
thought, to betoken the state Of his
feelings,b but somehow she would not
take them. They had often spoke Of
love, but she seeming to regard it in q
scriptural point of view, "Be kindly af-
fectioned one to another with broth
erly love-" appeared to never
have heard Of any other phase
of the passion. At last the sus-
pense became intolerable, and he
determined to know his fate. Dressed
to kill, he was early before her fathers
residence, and, on ringing the bell
was as usual Immediately conducted to
the drawing room, where he fortunate
ly found the young lady alone. Now
was his time, he thought; 90 placing
himself beside her on the sofa, he com.
menced series of those telegraphic
glances 60 well understood BY profic-
ents in the art. These however would
not do, and he felt himself bound to
express more forcibly what he had to
say.
Mis-" he commenced, III
am unfortunate, ] have long felt the
want Of friend; not a friend in the
usual cold acceptation of the word, but
one on whom / could rely, in whom l |
could pour out my whole heart, and |
receive in return sympathy and-and |
love. Could you not provide me with
such ~ / desire ~
The unsophicate d damsel raised her
head, looked on him with a face of
sympathizing innocence and replied;
"Apply to the Saviour; lean on
him ; look to him for support, and rest
assured he viii never desert you"
The cavalier, who at the commence
ment Of her reply, had had recourse to
his pocket hand kercheif to stifle his
laughter, calmed his feelings by the
time she had finished, took ! hasty
leave, and the next morning put him
aelf bag and baGonge, on the cara full
y eatis6ed that the most Improbable
Wy q Ping time i IN securing a