Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-01-23
THE INFLUENCE OF RICHES.
ny RANSOM GULLEY.
"''O' " Vins,ats me Fats Steps Leoa Fairfield, or the
victim Of Sorrow, = Etc, Etc
CHAPTER III

e una tat ioNsth silver shall not be satisfied with sill
"! no ne lhnt 0veth abundance with increase this
haso vanity BIBLE. '''''
payS ana weeks passed by Father Time
pahsed not "anrid the mighty wrecks that
sue" nS PAIN, as Prentice has said-but
on S,"i on, continued his anceasing fightl
fT'"N sooh became accllmated to his adopted
nome ana really loved the place. lie had
now permanently located i'm b. and
his gcntlemanly demeanor. together with the
"A Hases.Sssed, notwithstanding he was
"a - s.s-ice IN the science had secured
ss.' s..s fsin BY no means meaere patronape
And during this time Frank had become a
rcgilar visitor to the house of Col LEROY.
and gossip said something more than friend
sh D existed between the parties. Even the
Col. himself seemed cognizant Of this fact,
for ore day leaving his library, he ascended
the stairs leading to his step daughters
chamber, with an arched and clouded brow.
May
Thi. was spoken in cold and somewhat
harsh manner by Col. Leroy, as he entered
Nays boudnir.
Here, iather,' answered the lovely girl
May, when ] married your mother lust one
year ago little did think that you would
oppose my wishes-nay my commands, and
persist in receiving the visits of Frank Claw
ton who vas here only last evening"
Why father, he is called worthy young
man.
Worthy, indeed 7 responded Col LEROY.
seating himself. He has, | understand, no
visible mears-nothing in the world except
the doubtful income Of profession, on
which to support wife, were he to marry
one
am aware, father, that he is a LAWYER.
yet young and almost unknown to fame. |
know, for be has Id me, that he has no
patrimony, but an educated mind and a
stalwart arm; he can trace back no line OF
ilustrous ancestors, or rely on no princely
legacy from rich uncle or aunt-he has in
formed me Of all this. Yet he is known as
sober, talented and industrious young
mani
Col. Leroy felt the power of this reason.
ing and in calmer mood reioined: Yes
my daughter, he may be the embodiment oi
sobricty, talent and industry, and yet not be
on an equality with yourself, or worthy Of
,ou. have no children but You. Nav. and
5f course yOar wealth and accomplishments
should enable you to aspire to higher things
than even to think of marrying this poor
young man Clayton
why father, Mr.. Clayton's poverty seems
to be your only objection to him; why have
you not spoken Of this before. | heard yor
saw not week since that the flashngs of his
genius would ere long illume, in your opin
ion, the whole country--you thought he wa
rich. then, did you notT
None Of your sarcasm, May But II
make the natter plain, | thought he possess
ed at least competence; yet, received
letter yesterday in answer to an inquir,
about him which informed me of the bank
ruptcy of his family and of his utter desti
tuition
You ould have learned this, father, fror
Mr.. Clayton himself; for, as l have befor
said he told il all to me--without asking too
lie further said, he was determined to be
man; to rise over all obstacles-and writ
his name in letters Of fire upon his nation
history. What purpose said May in he
enthusiastic defence.
Such air.castes are scarcely ever realized
returned Col Leroy. There is Mr.. Blak
more, suitor Of yours-he is wealthy wh
treat him so coollyY ...
If Mr.. Blakemore is rich, he is dssip
ted and Immoral. Do you think, father,
would he judicous for me to marry him
wed drunkard, and sacrifice love and ha
piness at the shrine Of mammonY p
AS a parent and benefactor, May,
and for that reason would have you mar
one competent to make it so. Sacrifi
love, indeed said Col. Leroy, somewh
sterny. | have been expecting for sol
time that you were facinated with Fra
Clayton, and now have It indirectly from yo
own lips | shall be reduced to the pam
necessity Of forbidding his visits here, if y
will not do so, May. | can never sancti
your union with a beggar, mark that! s.
he leaving the room.
Frank Clay ton is no beggar,' quickly
turned May, ere the old genteman's st'
- brsioanomy -Lad vanished dnYc-the sta
As soon as Col Leroy had departed, NJ
thus unused TO herself: { | know | sho
not thus oppose fathers wishes; but c
not, cannot marry William Blakemore
not love him--l know his temperament
nature, and in my heart believe it would
but solemn mockery to pledge fidelity to
when another claims my souls deep af
tions Dear Frank, didst thou know
well love thes--how cherished each W
and look of thine, then indeed thy 81
would come and with heavenly kindn
now assuage the raging pillows of i
troubled sea. But alone-I am utterly d.
late! Oh for friend to counsel me
pour OH upon TIE troubled waters
calm with sweet devotion-the beaving
my soul! A food of tears concluded
outburst of feeling, and May was sad
melancholy.
Col. Leroy sought bis wife's apartment
communicated TO her what he called NJ
persistence and rebellion to his wishes, il
ceiving the attentions of that poor II
Clayton. As is customary on such occasi
Mrs. Leroy coincided with her husbands
uons, and mutually they agreed, that if
would not dscountenance Ulayton's add
es, they would forbid his visits to the no
How blindly, how devotedly the W
worships at thy shrine, o god of Richie,
Thou dearest at thy chariot wheels tn
nowned and the stect-the noble and
ignoble. Ye have usurped the homas
the living God, and partially monopol
the minds and souls of our alienated r
Is she wealthyY is the first ouestio
ways asked when beholding beautiful
Has she got the tin? interIogates
white-sepulchred' dandy, with his f
cane, Immaculate attire and shaIlow-b
as be hangs on the street corner or stan
the door, to gaze at passing lovcliness