The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-02-11

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wife's che erfu,ness cohld not dispel. 7oSShsi
loved him, and deeply lanented this change'of
feeling. He would frequently come TO bis
meals and not speak to any onea-he seenedin-
ftful Communion with his own soul 'His wife
attempted every expedient 10 please Rim, bnt
in vain. The dark ilerrosy Of sid wasion his
heart witch was All too tender to fesi't its
ravssges.' He saw his rlient take possession
Of the 'Legrand estate unjd.tly, and tina: noble
family retire to a situation iuncongenial TO
their tastes, where they were compelled to en-
dure burdensome toll to obtain support, and
he had been cognizant Of all the viliainy that
accomplished theirpoverty. He had disgraced
himself ant pros titnted his profession to crirn-
iaaI purposes. The same purse that bought
his own house, had bribed others to act their
parts in the enterprise. He had one Of the
most innocent Of wives. and, as he had before
predicted, he could not see her without feeling
the weight Of his own condemnation, and af-
ter, he could scarcely restrain himself in her
presence When in his Office and all alone, ne
would sometimes get relief in a food Of tears
"Oh! God, . b. would exclaim, "what shall
1 dop Icannot stand this load Of guilt that
prey, upon my soul. Why did / yield9 What
spell bound my better natureP What demon
took me captive and robbed me Of innocence?
Oh! Gold Gold ! thou art the devil that bro't
me into this hottest hell! Oh, Heaven! II
there be relief in repentance, God knows re-
pent. But it will not do, sin is on my hands,
and it will not out. Oh! for some lethe to
wash away all remembrance Of my guilt
No. live upon the price Of honor and virtue.
Would I had died! Oh wife ! how have I
wronged You! Would could open my dark
bosom to thy pure eyes! But no, the awful
sight world blind them and make her brain
reel as mine does now!' Then would he sink
his face into his hands upon the table and re-
main FOR hours, or until he was disturbed by
some client.
A few days after the removal ofthe Legrand
family, Salter visited them for the purpose OF
condoling with their misfortunes. They re-
ceived him with their usual courtesy, and per-
mitted not their suspicious to change their
usual bearing toward him. After the usual
compliments, Salter said - saeA .,.ti
"You have met with great misfortune"
"we have lost little property, is all, re-
piled Mr.. Legrand.
~ l. 2
eyes. you have lost the most beautiful spo:
that man was ever permitted TO enjoy.
should grievonsly lament such loss"
"We are quite comfortable" said the good
lady of the family, "and we feel as though
our happiness was increased by the change"
"Would you not like to re.occnpy that love-
ly spot? Emma here, your excellent daugh-
ter would, know, delight to return there and
tread those garden walks, whore beauty and
sweetness so charmingly responded to her
own.''
."Do not flatter me, sir, to my face" Emma
replied firmly. ...,t .s....
" Excuse me, Miss Legrand, did not in
tend any offense. heard OF the misfortune
Of your family and came here to-day to offer
the premises to yodr parents. have bought
it, and here offer to restore it entire"
Sc You are too kind" said Mr.. Legrand, "but
we must not accept your offer. We are hap
py as we are, and would not place ourselves
under such weighty obligations to another"
81 will not then ask this. love your
daughter, Emma: If she will consent to be
mine, weiwill all live there toe ether"
ss You and I, MFR. Salter,' said Emma, have
settled our relations once and so they must
remain" .7..,z4..s -
Salter under much agitation, seized his hat
and withdrew abruptly. After be had retired,
Emma remarked:- - =.
"i see it all. Salter has by the aid Of his
money, made us, poor in purse for the purpose
Of thus showing his liberality, and placing Us
under obligations to him, that from gratitude,
ifnot from love, would consent to marry
him." ses
ssThat is probably the cass,'' answered her
father g which shows that he is not so base
as he would seem. He has beenth means of
taking our fortune away and now offers to re-
store It"
81 pity him, indeed, said Mrs. Legrand.
+" know not what he will Go. His grief will
be insupportable. But our daughter and Har-
rold must not be sacrificed"
"oh! that should be the means Of anoth-
er's unhsppiness! This affair pains me to the
heart!v retained Emma. Il gss .t. g4s.kss & sgs
"Regard it not, my daughter" !" said her faith
er, +" il may all turn out well yet."'
Salter hastened to his room--threw himself
upon his bed and remained In the most intense
thought for some moments,--then rose, and
after pacing the room for some time with an
agitated counteDance, seated himself and thus
gave utterance to the feelings that agitated his
breast:
" Fool, fool that am, not to know more Of
Emma, and the Legrsnd family, and save n.y.
self all the crime Ihsve committed to gain her
hapd. What have Idonep An, the echo asks
the qnestioo in an swfully porfentious Tone
What have done! Let the nights ! have
passed consummating that forgery. answer
Let the money / have expended in bribery and
that now burns about my soul, answer. Let
the means BY which robbed the noblest fami-
ly that ever gladdensd the earth. answer to
Heaven Of nv dsmning guilt My villainy
r annot ha conc ealed from the puhlic scrrtiny