Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-01-30
Original paprrs,
NJ A ! NJ MELVILLE:
THE INFLUENCE OF RICHES.
BY RANSOM GuLLEY
BI HAN7UM HILLEf.
Author Of The Fatal Step Laola Fairfield or the
Victim Of Sorrow, Etc, Etc
CHAPTER ~.
n'This yellow slave

CHAPTER ~.
"'This yellow slave
VIII knit and break religion: bless the accused;
Make the hour lsprosy adored place thieves,
And give them title knee, and APPRECIATION,
With Senators on the bench!'
TIMoN OF ATHENS.
May Melville was belle at Newport. -
Many bowed at her shrine like vassals at the
footstool Of a scep'eTed poteutate, whose iron
will is the law, and at hose prerogative
whole dYnastles tremblp! ., beauty, what
an incantation surrounds thy presence, and
bow puisant The spell then exerted DER men 1!
The poets muse can please his fancy ne or so
well, as when the heroine Of his song is
clothed IN Thy pauoply; the mnstrers laws
are soft and sweet. as farewell songs Of diving
saints, when sung 10 hetuty's praise: all ac.
corded to May this gift Of Nature-yes, all
pronounced her heautlfull
And then she was rich-whch in the ewes
of her admirers Of course enhanced her beau
ty, aud sounded as sweet la their ears as the
sirens song to the tempest-tosSed mariner -
She, doubtless, like many others less fortunate,
would have daLZled in vain had it not have
been TO this; the sensation she produced in
stead Of creating merited euloSy, would have
begolten reproach and invective and per-
chance, called forth, "Heartless creature
she wants to mauy--hetter be at home ~
Thisss strange world Of ours-and | oft
times think that money is king-wealth
power-and riches fame; nay, more, the
worlds own idol! 1t may not be so-how-
ever let the reader Judge.
Mays parents saw the satellites which
blazed around their star, and were proud of
their darling; yet oft her light would he
hidden behind the clouds Of sadness, and they
little thought that she was turning away from
tho gay scenes around her and signing for the
manly presence Of Frank Clayton. Reader.
II is beautiful evening" and May is seated
alone in her chamber soliloquizing-let us go
in unseen and bear her reverie
Zone week now and we will leave Newport
| shall see Frank then. The poet exagera-
ted when he said, absence conauers love"
for thus away tho altar OF my memory
now burns the hallowcd fire more brightly
/ wonder il he ever thinks of me? | told him
before my departure from B. not to write, for
it might and would arouse the credulity of
my parents, who had learned to dislike him
for uaught save his poverty. 0, heartless
world pine for solitude-for seclusion from
thy souless scenes. They seem determin.
cd that shall wed William Blakemore. He
has been sometimes attentive, even kind to
me, and were it not for one away | might
less and unchanging heart, thou wilt ever
keep thy chosen mage"
II have heard many declarations of love
during my stay here, but meath the garb Of
adula.ion and fattery, / see no motive, hea-
ycnly, pure Mr. B seems offended since
told him - did not love him." and is very
attentive to Stella Bower, thinking doubtless
hc can excite envy in my bosom. But no
this will not he. | wish their future bright
and happy. Stella is my intimate friend, ant
] love her devotedlW She promised 20 cal
this afternoon. | wish she would come Ny
visit here has / cen bleaSant--at least l some
3 times think SO. 1et time hasten on ant
bring the daY>~Hen can say, farewell t.
", this place Of ostentation and heart
less iii .playW
The entrance Of servant in May boudoi
announcing Miss Bower ia tho parlor, conclu
ded this soliloquy, and May FASTENED cheer
, fully down to greet her friend. She wa
somewhat surprised on meeting Mr.. Blake
more there, thinking he had gone on an ex
cursior with her parents on the Bay Sh
met them composedly, however, and the o,
casion was passed in peasant II tete a tete
/ in which they all mingled.
After an hours stay, Stella, with muc
pretended friendship, babe May farewell,
= went to her transitory home, not far distan
Let us enter with them and hear what the
say.
Miss Melville is quite wealthy-is 81
not :" asked Stella.
"Qute So" replied William. "She is "
MY child Of rich and highly respectable p
ents, who reside IN B, Virginia, but
ew mules from my home.'
- - You have been acquainted with her the
sometime, Mr. b akemoreY
He replied in the affirmative
May is special friend of mine, cont
Il ed Stella, but am inclined TO believe th
she is selfish and purse proud ~
II believe she is, said William Blakemor
denying hls faith anA propagating sou
thing he knew to be false. A remorse
conscience prompted him to make an effc
to change the subject; bot no Stella Bows
who was a cold and disseminating embo,
ment of Feminity,' tacilly gloried in the u
deserved ccnsure, and continued:
lis she engagodg have to some exts
won her confidence, and heard her speak
fil.tering terms Of Mr.. Clayton, a lawyer
b. and Judge, probably, they arc betrotheC
"lf 81, it is beyond my present knowled;
said William, with his brow archng and
palid hue stamped upon his check.
otella was aware thaJ Nlllam Dlakem'
was an unsuccessful wooer Of May s hand, a
having learned Of his reputed wealth, det
mined, if possible, by stratagem to make
conquest, and accordingly was engaged
T.his preliminary conversation.
MAY, think, intends marrying Mr. Cl
/ ton, from the secrets she entrusted to IN
said Stella, noticing at the same time the
fects Of this fabulous exposition on the m
Of her victim
Reader, ere a week from the time thus
ticcd, an engagement was passed bctwt
Stella Bower and William B.akemore,
lruition of which time and our pen will he
after show
After the departure Of her guests n
again repaired to her roou, little dreamin,
the yituperalion which her bogus frie
Stella was heaping upon her She was nc
sufficient observer of human nature to Il
lhe deception and hypocricy practiced
her aud to know Friendship is but
name, but probably she was happier is
ing ignorant Of these facts.
inns time passed on, and the day set a.
4'y Col. Leroy aud lady for their return b.
nas arrived The colalious, soirees and