Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-08-04
AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY JOURNl
yntuesting gtory.
A CONFESSION.

My friend H., married early in life
The lady he choose was a beautiful but
weak minded girl; he was a whole souled
pleasure loving youth, the life of every
circle that he favored with his company.
The club Of which he was a member
acknowledged that he was the wittiest
and handsomest man among them; but
as | have already said, H., married early;
and now, let me add, only three months
had elapsed when we observed a marked
change in our fayorite.
HIS bright smile was changed for a Sc
rious. and often sad expressions; he came
to the cub room 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 evering, and
that was sometimes thrown away half
consumed. Now he seemed to smoke as
some persons drink, ito drive away dull
care" When the door opened he start
ed and held his cigar half hidden by his
paper, as if afraid of being caught in
some forbidden enjoyment.
After had observed my friend, even
ing after evening, and felt convinced
that some secret sorrow was destroying
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 a friendly pressure; as he
turned his face towards the gas light, l
saw that a tear stood in his eye. | said,
III, you are in trouble; can | relieve
you? Do you need pecuniary aid-if so
let me have the pleasure Of bestowing il?
You have ayoung wife, and your expenses
must necessarily have Increased, perhans
more tnau you autlcTpateu; and young
lawyers sometimes have to wait long for
their fee. If you would like to borrow
money, say so; | have more than enough
for an old bachelor" a IS
old bachelor! would that I were-n
here he paused, and turning to me he
added, "B., reveal rot what | just uttered.
You have always been like a brother to
me, and you shall know the cause of my
distress; | ain sure you will never make
an improper use Of what | tell YOU"
After assuring him that he might safe
ly confide in me, that | would never di,
vulge his secret until | had received his
permission, | listened to the following
r~ecital:
Il married too hastily-Clara's beau;
ty dazzled me, and | saw not her defectst
the poor girl declares she loves me, bu
preferable would be her hatred. | can
not leave her presence without being
| nhl1noA On N u ,afurO IN oooannk far oU
cry moment of my absence. Any spot is
better than my home, yet l can not seek
peace elsewhere without a certainty that
must pay a severe penalty. My wife
forbids me to smoke in her presence,
therefore l must go abroad to enjoy
what | cannot discontinue at once. In
deed. the desire for such indulgence in
creases with my efforts to leave it off,
Suddenly starting, my friend exclaim-
ed, There she is now, wi h her head out
of the window this cold night, though |
have besought her not to expose her
health in this way; but such is her re-
venge for my going abroad. Can you
wonder that l am changed? would
rather die than live thus.p
Ere | had spoken many words of con-
ISOLATION we we're at my friends door. l
was pressing HIS, hand when the door
opened, and a delicate, but beautiful lady
held a light which showed too plainly the
frown which dis6gured her face. well.
sir, home at lastl' and the door closed
ere my friend had finished saying good
night.
1 was enraged, and declared any man
was a fool to, submit to any such treat
ment. / resolved that 1 would marry in
less than a month, to show h., and other
unfortunatcs, that o woman can be gov
erned.
+, l lay awake that night, thinking over
all my lady friends, and considering
which should be my victim. Some were
too silly, others were too plain looking
but | remembered one. that was beautiful,
intelligent, aud so high spirited that to
subdue her would be a grand achiege-
ment. p
l had wealth, position, and (~excuse my
vanity not a bad person. The fair one
in question | had always admired, and
she had invariably. received me WE'LL
Indeed, | had been assured by an &C.
ouaintance of Miss G. that | was a fayo.
rite with her. But as | had resolved to
live a single life, | had never entertained
any very serious intentions toward the
one / now determined to marry, if she
would accept me. ] decided to put on
the chains of matrimony to prove thai
they could not always euslave.
In three weeks from that night / had
fIcaught my bird. We were to be united
at the close Of the following week, in &C
cordanee with ny wishes, that we NIGH
spend the holidays With my parents il
Virginia. Is
4! % our return VA took possession D.