Smyrna times., 1859-06-23
LOVE AND AMBITION !;
OR, THE
OLD MAN AND THE ROSE.

Ir is not veey long ago since the aged Mar
cheese dI B used TO be seen occasionally
within the walls ut our " taIr Flureuce," vlsI-
ting her noble works u art aud aiding her Ih-
stItutl0ns by his cUuuSpis aud his lIbera lily
! THIS venerable man, after having spent the
hower OF h,s years III the publ C service of his
country, aad filled with credit the highest OH
ceS OF the state, had, on the approach of old
age, withdrawn into an honorable Fetlrement,
where his days rolled on IN the enjoyment OF
literary ease and kindly beuevolt nee.
| Rarely did he quit his beautiful Villa, except
| for a briet visit to some of the Italian cIIIes.
where he loved to seek out the remains Of an
tlquliy or to wander through the noble picture
galleries, with which SO many OF them abound
Ga such occasions, he was wont to leave behind
htn his numerous reiIaue of servants, and set
out IN modest equpage, accompanied only by
u cOnhdentIal valet. and a favorte nephew,
whose enthusiastic love of the beGuC arts made
hun suitable COMPANION in such excursions.
One day they We're visiting together cele
braled picture gaIlsy. The guide VIII" accom-
pan ed them passed along from one cheEd'-
Gurre to another, descantIng luentIy on their
various merits, and scarcely delgnpng to stop
moment before any works of lesser note. They
stood before painting of Ttan's, aud the
| guide had cUmmpnced his accustomed panegy
| rlc when he perceived that the ola gentleman
was gazing InieGty work of inferior merit,
! wh, ,ch hung close To TItan's gorgeous painting.
i 1t represented youthful lady, simply yet ele-
! gantly clad, who was in the act of placing in
her bosom rose, on which she gazed with
| gentle smile as If it were the bearer of some
messenge of kindness or Of love. Her counte-
nance bramcd with ingenious candOr, and the
Innocent brightness OF her glance added TO the
loVelness OF her features.
The old nan appeared 10 be fascinated by
| the portrait which absorbed his whole attention,
90 that he allowed the guide to 90 on with his
professional story without giving the slightest
heed TO what hs was talking about. The latter.
observing his engOuement, stepped back lit
tie aud pointing TO the lady's portrait, said
aloud "l must be conceded that this also is
good pa Uniting. 1t is by Francisco Porbus, a
distinguished portrait palmer. The subject Is
unknown but it may readily be perceived that
the likeness is admirable one, for II breaIhes
life 10 every feature. The position is foil of
grace the colgrlng of the flesh Is huItlesS.
-. What Transparency what light Observe
the Farnony subslstIng between the white robe
and the dark upper garment, although the tInts
contrast so slrongely. -" But at thus mo-
ment. gay yoaug noble entered, with all the
airs OF fashionable cOnnosseur; and the guide,
leaving his discourse unfinished. has'ened TO
welcome the new conner with profusion of
bows leaving the old man still entranced be-
fore the unknown portrait.
Rnusing hImselfat length from his reverie,
and drawing IA deep sigh, the Marchese ad-
dressed his nephew, on whose arm he was
leaning, and whom, unconscously, he had in
the depth OF his emotion almost pressed to his
bosom.
"Be not surprised, said the old man, cat
the heightened contemplation | bestow upon
this unknown picture. 1t revives the saddest
and yet sweetest emotion that was ever awaken
ed within my breast. was like unto thee; in
all the vigOr of my youIh--beloved by my pa
rents-surrounded by every earthly good
Needless about the fntuIe-litlle dreaming oil
. the luminous carser (as Aellerers call ~ which
| should afterwards pursue. II was at sunset
in the dear and Joyous month of May, and
was wa king with a fellow student IN his gar.
i den. HIS only sister was with Us Her feat
4 ures did not resemble this ady's, but she had
;, The same sweet and ingenious countenance
I aud like her. sue was dressed with perfect sim
+ plIclty, unrdnrned. save by one beauteous rost
CHI she had gathered while we were stand
j.. my together gazing On the glorious sunset.
almost mechanically plucked one from the sam
I branch, and after few moments silent ad III
a ration, we pursued our walk. While conver
= sing together. my fair companiOn's Aowe
;. dropped ont Of her hand, whereupon haslII
), picked it up and offered her mine IN it's steaC
!. She accepted it with a smile, and placed 1t i
- her bospm worn as IL represented 10 the pic
- ture before Us. | cannot describe the happ
: ness which at that mument filled my breast
10 but too soon the impression wore away, for
=, was about that time that | Obtained my frt
- Official employment. Itis true, that accepte
- it out Of obedience to my fathers wishes, f
no dream of ambition had yet bewdered m
mind but before long its snares were success
~ fully spread around me and amid the smiles
princes, and the adulaton OF c0Urtiers, the n
T., age of my fair young friend gradually faded o
y of my thoughts. | scarcely knew that hi
~ loved her, until, in time of inenia, ankle
:, :, and~deep appointment. bethonght me
!, the youag maiden and tine rose. Her ina;
floated across my vision, like those reireshir