Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-02-02

Noble, venerated friend, and more than
mother; you do your daughter injustice
1t is far from her intention, or wish. to
abandon our cause. She vii! seek its adj
yancement still with all the energies of her
nature. She is firm champion of that
noble cause You have so much at heart
You shall never blush for the child you
have cherished and blest. Only assign
her her theatre, and she is yours till death.
II entertaining this tender sentiment is to
be harrier to her success, she abandons
It at onse. she would not fag the void
Tellnqpish the prospect for glory held ont
to her. She will pursue it with renewed
ardor and delight. To this cause she has
vowed herself-to this cause she has deyo-
ted herself, come what may. Does this
compose your dearest and best friend?
1t does, my noble daughter said Mrs.
Woodbyman, embracing Minerva, it does,
and now am happy. But let me still ask
You,
How do you propose to connect your
self with this new companion? Though |
despise the nonsensicaI customs Of the
present state OF society, feel some hesta-
ton IN offering you, my beloved daughter,
up, as the first martyr Of our cause; CON
tess this weakness
(Snce her first Indignant feelings had
been soothed and softencd by the affec-
tlonate submission Of Minerva, she had
materially relented il her wicked resolu-
ton Of forbidding the ceremony of matri-
mony between Minerva and her afianced
husband)
In natural state of society, it would
be all as it should, for the mode would
universally prevail and custom would sane
ton It's existence; but in the present dis
torted state of things, it might be Of great
disadvantage to you and perhaps to our
cause; sIandercrs would say we espoused
the cause for our own individual libertin-
ism.
i had well nigh advised this course
but in your case, my dearMinerva, my no.
ble, innocent girl, I cannot bring myself
seriously to enjoin such thing
For the sake of appearances, I think,
upon mature reflection, it would be expe-
dient to fall into present usages, and 90
through the prescribed form in uniting
with man.
You cannot as etfectualy and fully
carry out your p ans in this incumbered
state, as if you were free, yet still, it may
be Of some advantage 100. If he can DC
made true to the cause, he may help the
progress Oft.
Bind him to his-mind-bind him tc
this
4 will said Minerva confdently-'ant
| am sure of him.
Minerals lover came this evening tc
worship at his accustomed shrine. FL.
was in ecstacies with his beautiful be
trothed.
He promised all she asked.
Never to stand in the way of her dutie
as an elevator and defender of Woman
Rights. Always to assist her in maturin!
her plans, and in putting them in practic
and never to speak or do aught to tn
injuring of Woman's Rights. When dut
called her abroad, to remain at home, an
protect and provide for the family.
The impatient, ardent lover promise
all, over and over again.
A magistrate united them. The rite
and ceremonies, as we'll as the agents {
superstition were abhored by Minerva an
her proud patroness. The happy pa
were soon established in an agreeable an
comfortable home.
A short time only was allotted to tn
/ honeymoon, and new and necessary a
rangements. And now the admirers
the young and eloquent lecturer were in
patient for her re-appearance. She coul
no longer refuse. Her devotion to tt
cause demanded it. She again CONNER
ccd her public duties. Night after nigh
and day after day, she was absent fro
home. Her adoring husband followed h,
for length of time. At last he began
sicken, at the constant exposure of h
beautiful wife, to the vulgar stare of a Vt
gar multitude.
He remonstrated-she persisted. I
refused to accompany her, hoping to d
ter her. But no. 1t only made her mo
determined
She reminded him Of his promise viii
lover. lie still entreated. It only exs
perated the beautiful orator. Altercati,
ensued. She accused him of unman
jealousy of her distinction; desire to q
the tyrant.
Unhappiness now took up its disn
reign in this divided home
And now the time arrived when Min,
va must cease to appear in public for
time. 1t was as short time as possibl
mere ly what was absolutely necessary.
Nature required no more There were
j iron proprieties acknowledged by the d,
T trines of Woman's Rights philosophy.
: Mrs. Woodbyman decided the time. S
if was the standard of right and wrong.
a And now, Minerva was the mother O
k fair son, the hope and JOY of his delight
father.
If This new play thing for a time kept
l. at home to the infinite happiness of
5 husband, who began to hope new
o. would bind his beautiful and beloved v
er to domestic life.
n He was mistaken. The allurement.
o, ambition, long habit, and the authority
D. Mrs. Woodbymau assumed their inaue
N over her mind
IN Again she was on the platform, amid
ID deafening applause of the crowd, and
y atmosphere of adulatio- she so much