Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-08-26
a CONFESSION.


beautiful but weakminded girl. h
was whole souled, pleasure low
ing youth, the life Of every circle that
he Favored with his company.
The club Of which be was member
acknowledge that he was the wittiest
and handsomest man among them; but,
as ! have already said, H married ear
ly; and now, let me add, only three
months had elapsed when We observed
marked change in our favorite. Ills
bright smile was changed for serious
and often sad expression he came to
tho club rooms less frequently than had
been his wont, and while there he read
his paper and smoked, seldom joining
in any conversation.
He had been in the habit of taking
out but one cigar during the evening,
and that was sometimes thrown away
half-consumed. Now he seemed to
smoke as some persons drink, "to drive
away dull care" When tie door
opened he started and held the cigar
half-hidden by his paper, as if afraid
Of being caught in some forbidden en-
joyment.
After I had observed my friend,
evening after evening, and felt con-
WINGED that some secret sorrow was de-
stroying his peace, one night left the
room with him, offering to walk home
by his side. He drew my arm within
his own, and gave my hand friendly
pressure as he turned his face toward
the gas light, l saw that tear stood
in his eye. I said, "H-you are in
trouble can't relieve you? Do you
need pecuniary aid! If so, let me
have the pleasure of bestowing it. You
have a young wife, and your expenses
must necessarily have i creased-per-
haps more than you anticipated; and
young lawyers sometimes have to wait
long for their fees. If you woul | like
to borre " money, say so; l have more
than enough for an old bachelor"
cold bachelor? would that l we're
Here he paused, and turning to
me, added: ''B-, reveal not what
l have just uttered. You have always
been like brother to me, and you shall
know the cause of my distress ; l am
sure you will never make an improper
use of what I tell you"
After assuring him that he might
safely con6de in me, that would new
or divulge his secret until I had reciev.
ed his permission, l listened to the fol-
lowing recital:
81 married too hastily; Clara's
beauty dazzled me, and l saw not her
defects the poor girl declares she loves
me, but preferable would be her hatred.
| cannot leave her presence without be-
ing obliged on my return to account for
every moment Of my absence. Any
spot is better than my home, yet I can
not seek peace elsewhere without GER
tainty that | may pay severe penalty.
My wife forbids me to smoke in her
presence, therefore must 60 abroad
to enjoy what cannot discontinue at
once. Indeed, the desire for such in
diligence increases with my efforts to
leave it off,"
Suddenly starting, my friend ex-
claimed :-s'There she is now, with her
head out of the window this cold night,
though have besought her not to ex-
pose her health in this way but such
is her revenge for my going abroad.
Can you wonder that | am changed? I
would rather die than live thus"
Ere | had spoken many words of
consolation we we're at my friends door.
l was pressing H.'s hand when the door
opened, and delicate but beautiful
lady held light, which showed too
plainly the frown which dis6gured her
fair face.
"Well, Sir, home at last % and the
door closed ere my friend had finished
saying "gool night"
I was en-, aged, and declared any man
was fool to submit to such treatment.
l resolved that l would marry in less
than month, to show II. and other
unfortunates that a woman can be gov
erned.
I lay awake that night thinking over
all my lady friends, and considering
which should be my victim. Some
were too silly, others too plain looking;
but remembered that one was beauti-
full, intelligent, and so high spirited
that to subdue her would be grand
achievement.
l had wealth, position, and (excuse
my vanity, } not bad person. The
fair one in question had always ad-
mired, and she had invariably received
me we'll. Indeed, l had been assured
by an acquaintance with Miss. G. that
l was >favorite with her. But as
had resolved to lead single life, I had
never entertained any serious attentions
towards the one I now intended to mar.
ry if she would accept me. I decided
to put on the chains Of matrimony to
prove that they could not always en-
slave.
In three weeks from that night l had
caught my bird, We were to be united
toward the close Of the. coming week,
in accordance with my wishes, that we
might spend the holidays with my par
ents in Virginia.
On our return We took possession of
our newly furnished mansion. We
gave large party or rather it was
->.I- l.. L.