The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1860-12-06
even answering some of her bantering re-

for some field on which to distinguish my
self. l burned for fame for world wide
renown Lady Maria soon found this
out, and then her bantcring ceased alto
gethcr; her voice sank lower, her eyes
sparl1led, her bosom heaved, as in whis-
pered accents she wished me successful
fortune.
sYou are the favored of the earth, Hen
ry," she said, drawing me On one side to-
ward the conservatory; "poor us can do
nothing, but wish you men, good speed.
Oh, how I sometimes long to be man,
that 1, too, might be soldier, Il sailor an
orator, or statesman. 1t seems to me
so sad life to be born in station where
one can be nothing"
"Oh, Maria " cried I, enthusiastically,
'tis far better as it is If we wish to be
great as soldiers or sailors, or statesman,
why is it? ?"
"Tcl me" she said, smiling.
''To win the love of such as you. Rely
| upon it, that is the prize man covets. 1t
is the consciousness that woman will
smile which impels us 10 great deeds. y
Harry, Harry" she said with some
thing of sigh, "at your age believe
so much feeling does exist, but it soon
fades away, and man covets success for
l.is own sake"
'.Somc few" | began.
Most mcn--there are those choice
spirits who do great deeds from sense Of
duty, but with most men ambition is the
sole guiding impulse -
l looked at her with surprise. She
spoke warmly, and yet with secret litter
ness.
"A philosopher in pctticoats ~ said in
Il laughing tone.
Il have lived more in the world than
you have, Harry" continued Maria.
smiling but here comes your brother
Tom to claim his turn. We will continue
our conversation hy-and-by.'
1t was my brother Tom, and looking
rather sllrly, too. at our long tetc-a-tete.
a somewhat vicious glance which he cast
at me. convinced me that he was deeply
interested in my beautiful companion
AS | resigned her arm, Il feeling of de-
spair came over me- / knew | was in
love.
/ retired behind some fragrant bushes
snd reflected an instant. 1t was quite
clear to me that Lady Maria was lnten-
dcd for the heir of tic baronetcy. He
had. at all events, made the selection, and
what hope was there for me? I[c had
title, position, y home and goodly in
come on his side, while I.was mere adj
vcnturor, younger son, an incumbcr-
ance on the estate.
And with the law of rr.mogeniturc, and
the example it sets, people arc found to
wonder at the death Of early marriages:
and at the fact that SO many never marry
at all.
1t is not that they cannot afford to
marry, but they cannot keep up the style
they have been accustomed to at home.
A wealthy nobcman's second son, while
at home enjoys us many luxuries as the
heir 1t is hard, then, in his eyes, to de-
scend to the plcbian villa andno carriage
even though happiness be the result.
The evil law often, and the agglomcra-
tion of wealth in the hands Of the few, is
the great cause of modern Indifference to
marriage The middle classes, unfortu-
nately, are too fond of aping their betters.
But why moralize when have so much
to tell? 1 watched them narrowly. Tom
was grave, even sullSy, while Lady Maria
was more than ordinarily gay. She fair
ly laughed at him, and presently the
crave eldest son of the house condescen
ded to smile, and as Tom was naturally
in request, I again joined her.
aWhat made my brother so grave%
asked
"Poor fellow" she said with burst of
merriment, she was lamenting the hard
ships to which eldest sons arc subject"
'.What {" 1 cried.
ayes, he really did, poor fellow he is
obliged to dance with everybody, and
therefore cannot show me the exclusive
attention which, he was pleased to say
my beauty, accomplishments, and SO FORTH
deserved"
s:He was quite right" said l, dryly.
UUow so ?"