Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-06-25

4
trust I shall not be a burden to YOU if, az
hope, our destination is the same.
"If you are going to the White Sui
phur,' Mr. Berne replied, sour destination
is the same; and am much mistaken If |
can not reason you out Of your despoading
mood, and get you to climbing the moan
tains, in few weeks, with all the activity
of renewed health"
eff you can effect 50 great d change in
SO short time,' said the young man,
''you win entitle your self to tho appella-
ton Of master of the healing art.
"Oh, sir, do not mean TO claim that
can do this by my own unassisted powers,
for | shall find powerful coadjutors in the
cheerful company, bracing air, healing wa
ters and, if you are a single man, the
bright eyes and rosy cheek ofthe fair mai
dens who visit the Springs not so much in
search of health as of pleasure.
"You have, indeed, named powerful aux
iliaries to the cure you have undertaken;"
said the young man, with smile; "but as
stranger and an invalid, opportunities,
may be Wanting for enjoying their full
benefit"
II promise you there shall be no lack
of opportunities, sir. In promiscuous
assemblage, like that with which we are
about to mingle, ceremony is, in a great
degree, dispensed with, and acquaintances
are formed in fourth of the time requir-
ed under ordinary circumstances. Be-
sides, sir, shall have many friends there,
to whom it will give me pleasure to intro
duce you" '
"With your kind assistance" said the
young man, "I shall, no doubt, find easy
admittance into the social arrangements
of such an assemblage, should find it
desirable to seek it. But l have no pre-
dilection for crowd, and greatly prefer
the society of a few congenial friends,
without the show and parade so much COW
cited by both sexes and, may add, so Of
ten substituted for the more sterling quail
ties of head and heart.
81 grieve to say, sir" answered Mr..
Berne, "that there is too much truth in
your remark. The semblance of virtue
is too often assumed by those who lack
the substance. But did not expect so
stern censure from SO young man, es-
pecially as your structures embrace the fair
SEX
The young man was somewhat embar-
rassed by this observation, and blushed,
as his eye met Helen's, for he feared he
said too much. After pause, he replied !:
"a general remark, sir, does not include
the exceptions, of which know there are
many; nor did intend any harshness in
giving utterance to palpable truth. I
hope, therefore, your fair companion will
do me the justice to believe that | had al
lusion only to those of her sex whose
chief ambition is the admiration of mine,
and whose means of winning it are too Of
ten Of questionable propriety."
This was severe thrust at Helen, and
none the less so because it was uninten-
tional. She submitted to it, however,
without remonstrance, but not without
blush. 1t was the first time she had over
heard this truth SO plainly told, and, com
ling from an interesting young man, it was
not without effect, and, to some extent,
placed her past conduct in new and some
what repulsive light
"You have made an ingenious defence !;
said Mr.. Berne, with a smile; "and /
shrewdly suspect you are lawyer"
"You have guessed right, sir; and for
fear you may again throw me upon my
defence, on charge of treason against
the fair sex, propose, if your companion
is sufficiently refreshed, that we resume
our journey M
The proposition was acceded te, and the
little party were soon descending the noun
tain, at the foot Of which is the Warm
Springs, where they proposed to pass the
night. TO be Continued