Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-04-22
MISCELLA AN Y.
Turning to the True Life.
BY F. II. sTAUFFER.

was thoroughly woman of the world.
I dressed in the height Of its fashions /
patronized its follies; | practiced its de-
ceits; | lived in its conventionalities.-
There was little of solid learning in my
head. and less of genuine philanthropy in
my heart. was supremely selfish; made
no sacrifices myself, yet was continually
demanding them Of others.
| was fond Of flattrrg ! loved TO pro-
duce effect. Often did The. flush of pride
deepen the color on my cheeks, as sailed
through the crowded rooms, and heard the
half-whispered exelamations, " How grand ~
" How superb . Isn't she beautiful ?"
True they were not the only expressions
heard. | was standing, one evening in
the conservatory. The cool air famed my
fevered GROW, and the sound of music and
dancing came floating out from the wide
walls. heard voices among the shrub
berry.
"There is little about Corinne May to
admire. She is simply butterfly ="
" She is a cold, heartless coquette. ]
speak from bitter experience
My heart beat fast. and the veins at my
temples swelled with anger. The one was
Mr.. Pcmberton, the author the other, one
who had been at my feet the night before.
The latter | could forgive, but the man of
talent-never! Th"re was bitterness in
those words, coming as they did from him.
He was the only man whom had ever
raised in my estimation. above the common
level of men. My heart throbbed for re-
venge he should repent those words in
bitterness, and at my feet.
But "a that never happened, ] am still
unavenaed- it is better So All the
charms Of art and nature failed. 1t was
not mine to conquer. At the close of the
season he was gone; | had awakened no
interest in him; in his es, imaion | still re-
manned a-but,erfy! / am now humble
enough TO saw that he thoroughly did me
Justice. During the remainder Of that
night Of folly and pleasure, ! was misera-
BILE. di-contented with myself and every
body else. pale. intellectual girl became
the belle of the hour, and left in disgust.
q Among the visitors at my fathers house.
was clergyman. He was tall. hand
some man, rather taciturn, and with re-
tired air about him, that fitted him little for
society. Indeed. he rarely went into soci-
strained, ill-at-ease atmosphere about him,
that impaired some OF its cliilliness TO 9th
ers. He was naturally gifted man and
10 this he had added thorough. systemat-
ic course of education, coupled with much
personal observation. He conversed free
ly--that is with those with whom he was
Intimate. What he said enchained his
hearers as well as profiied them.
He was not a gloomy man; guide-post,
with the way to the shadowy tomb written
upon his face. He believed that God was
good he felt that we were created to be
happy he knew that the world was beau
iifnl. He seemed to look ut everything
with such clear, true eyes. He could read
yonr character at glance he knew your
foies, your weak points, your inconsisien-
cies. YET he seemed to use this power
aeniently-and very much SO with me. In
onr intercourse he did not lessen my friend
ship for him. hy abruptly attacking my fol-
bles. nor MAKE, me think him less man ot
Col, by leaving them entirely alone. He
Showed me wherein erred, in quiet, un.
assuming way-perhaps more by his man
ner than his words.
He would take me out of myself, as 1t
were, and place me where his own inner
perceptions had placed me. Then | could
see how fruitless had been my life, and how
Reformed / was in the eyes of simplicity
and truth Yet / was wilful one; there
was pride in my heart; was welded to
the folies of the world. The revelation
did not make me better: and as we never
sland still in our spiritual relationship to
God I must say that it made me worse.
talf hated myself, and, as consequence
(Ae things around me. NJ. Athol was
lined at this there was reproof in III:
yes, and it seemed to me that he smiled
nore sadly every day.
/ was conscious that he loved me. Thi
onsc;ousness came to me through many
pnths-slowly, gradually, certainly. III
not say so in so many wor,ls, or by 50
any acts. He was not the man TO d'
at. OWNED it in his glance, in his anx
os solicitude. in little things that wer
thing 10 the world. yet much to me
mpanionship increased the affinity be
een us more and more. We are alway
0eriing an influence upon the character