The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-10-20

stead of losing its spring-tiine freshness
forever advances towards eternal youth
Ia few weeks later, and my friend com
municated to me the intelligence, thai
his heart had been won by the charms OF
this unattractire maiden Once be had
been worshipper at the other shrine
the shrine of beauty; and | knew that
only few months before, hand and heart
were ready to be offered. Accepted they
would have been, for he had personal
beauty, attractive manners, wealth, and
above all, manly, honorable spirit. 'b
For all / had seen, was scarcely pre-
pared for this. The maiden might be
good did not question that--but she
was so homely and this EomelineSs would
be only the more apparent in contrast
with his elegant exterior. IL was almost
on my lips to remonstrate-to suggest
this thought to his mind. But l pru-
IDENTIFY forbore.
You know her we'll, hope" I could
not help the utterance of this caution.
She is not thought to be beautiful, y
he replied, seeming to perceive my
thoughts, .'indeeay as TO features, she is
g4ain yes, in person, she is tail, graceful,
diguifed, and with a carriage that queen
might envy"
This was true to the letter. / had not
thought of it before. Nature had given
at least this compensation. ....
But the higher beauty" he added,
is of the soul. All else is soon diminish
ed. Scarcely has the blush;ng girl step
ped forward through the opening door of
womanhood, ere we see the lustre Of her
blossoming cheek beginning to tarnish in
the social atmosphere, or to pale from dis
ease. But the souls beauty dims not,
wanss rot, dies no. 1t is as imperisha-
bic as the soul itself Our bodies die, but
the soul is Immortal" :" .....
{" If she possesses this beauty"
| know that she possesses it" he ans
wered, somewhat warmly Il have seen
il looking forth from her eyes, wreathing
about her lips, and giving to every Inca
ment heavenly charm. 1t is musical in
every tone of her voice"
Goodness alone is beautiful" I said.
"Ard she is good" he replied. 81 new
er met one who so rarely spoke of her
self. or who seemed to take SO loving an
interest in humanity"
"That is God like"
Z" Is not 6 God the very source of all beau
ty? Te be God-like, then, is to be beau.
tiful. Ali" he added, Il have found,
indeed, a treasure Morning aud eve
ming thank the good Giver, that he
opened ms eyes to see deeper than the al
luriDy snrfaec. was dazzled, once, by
a glttertng exterior; but have clearer
vision now ...
win her and wear her, then," re-
Piled, "and may she be all yeur fancy
pictures"
/" She is won," he answered, "and |
shall wear her proudly in the eyes of all
mep."
There was world of surprise when it
became known that my handsome friend
was about leading his chosen bride to the
marriage altar. sar-.er .ar
How could he throw himself away
upon such an ugly creature" said one,
C coarsely. #...#-. ...
L" He might have taken bis choice from
the lovclicst," remarked another.
Z" He will tire of that face in month
All the gold of Ophir would not bribe me
to sit opposite to it for a year"
And SO the changes rung.
But my friend knew what he was do
Inc. | was present at the wedding.
" If she we're not so homely ~ | heard
lady remark, as she stood beside her
handsome young husband "What can
he see in her to lovc?"
| turned and looked at the speaker.
Nature had been kind in giving her an
attractive face; but the slight curl of con-
tempt that was on her lip marred every
thing. | glanced back to the young
brides counlenanca; her pure soul was
shining through it, like light through
veil. TO me, she seemed at that moment
more beautiful than the other; and far
moro worthy 10 be loved g
The brilliantly beautiful maiden cf
whom | have spoken, gave her hand in
marriage about the same time. Her hus-
band was young man OF good character,
kind feelings, and with sufficient income
to enable them to live in a style of i'm
posing elegance. A series of gay parties
was the social welcome given to the love-
ly bride. But such honor did not attend
the nuptials of her palmer sister.
A few years later, and the spiritual
qualities of each were more parent in
their faces. | remember meeting both.
in company, ten years after their mar
riage. | was standing at oEe end of the
room, when an over-dressed woman, with
a showy face, came 10, accompanied by a