Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-07-09

"You need have no fears on that score
sir, for my father, though exceedingly
sensitive to unkindness, never seeks cause
of offense where none is intended. Be-
sides he is no rigid observer of mere forms,
and is not apt, therefore, to observe
irregularity in others"
~ wish the world could boast of few
more such men as your father, whose ex-
ample can not fail to profit all who have
sense enough to know that it is their true
interest to be virtuous."
"But there are some, she replied, "who
do know that such is their true interest,
yet continue to sin against light and know
ledge. Do you hope to reach these by
example? ?"
"Oh, no; they are incorigible; the habit
of vice is too strong to be broken up even
by the severest punishment. But there
are others addicted to evil practices at
variance with their better natures, who
continue to sin from sheer thoughtlessness.
These are often regenerated through the
force of example, and when brought back
into the path of virtue, become Jealous
and efficient advocates of cause which
their past conduct had materially injured"
"Not materiallyinjured, said Mr.. Berne,
who had joined them just in time to hear
the closing words, "but somewhat hurt by
the unceremonious desertion of my best
friends. What apology can you offer for
treating me so unceremoniously?
"Look around, sir" said Mr.. Lee, in
the same tone Of mock resentment, sand
ask yourself what unmeaning ceremony,
or formal etiquette is of sufficient weight
to keep us from exchanging the vitiated
atmosphere of crowded room for the free
breath of heaven; the unintellible buzz
of human voices, for the delightful calm
of such night I think, sir we ought
to demand an apology from you for not
having joined us sooner"
"Well, sir, my apology is ravenous
appetite, tough meat and an Indifferent set
ofteeth. But, jesting aside, will venture
to suggest that it is not proper for you,
sir, to expose yourself to the night air ;
and if you have nothing better to do, walk
with us to our cabin, and you and Helen
can finish your metaphysics by the way"
81 will accompany you with pleasure,
sir, but have no desire to draw Miss Berne
into discussion of subject better suited
to the closet than fashionable watering
place. Abstruse questions have little in
terest for ladies, and their discussion, be-
tween men, often degenerates into person
alties."
"You are right sir" Said Mr.. Berne
"And have known friendships of long
standing broken up by such Improbable
discussions-or rather, disputes, for asser-
ton is, usually, the substitute for argu-
ment, and he that has the strongest lungs
is generally esteemed the cleverest man."
81 WONDER" said Helen, show you lords
of creation can reconcile it to yourselves
to censure feeble woman for slandering her
sex, when you scruple not to use such
harsh language when speaking of each
other. Such conduct on our part, you
ascribe to envy, or malice; do you plead
guilty to the same motives, or do you
dignity your Wholesale censure by terming
it wisdom ?"
"Why, Helen |" Exclaimed her father,
who was disconnected by this unexpected
reproof; "what is the matter with you this
EVENING" Something has surely put you
in an ill-humor, for I never before heard
so harsh a remark from you"
"If there is harshness in my remark,
you do me injustice, my dear father, if
you suppose l so intended it. But you
surely will not deny me the privilege of
vindicating my own sex from the aspersions
of yours, especially after what have just
heard"
"I do not understand you, my child for
l am sure you never heard me speak harsh
ly of your sex. That may have express
sed myself strongly in speaking of some
particular act of some particular woman,
will not deny but have never spoken
in depreciating terms of the sex in gen
eralN
al had no allusion to you, father but
you know there are persons who take
pleasure in making our foibles the subject
of their wit They entered the cabin
just as Helen concluded and when they
were seated, Mr.. Lee, with evident embar-
easement, replied;
"If you allude, Miss Berne, as presume
you do, to my remarks, at the time of our