Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-01-22

prlvat.ons, and not word OF complaint
escapes from her lips. She works and
starves, and still has always word of love,
an afectionate smile for her father
Sir, aud you want to commit suicide |
Are you madP
Dare | murder that angel The thought
piercss my heart like dagger said the
old man, sobbing.
Sir, you must come with me; 1 see a |
tavern open yonder. Come, you must tell
me your history; and if you have no OBJ
lection will then tell you mine. But
this much | may say at once-there is no
occasion. for you 10 leap into the river
lam rich, very rich man and if things
really are as you represent, your daughter
will no longer have to work, and you shall
not starve.'
The old man allowed himself to be
dragged along by his companion. In al
few minutes they were seated at table In
the tavern, and each examining curiously
the features of the other.
Refreshed and comforted the old man
began thus:
My history is soon told, I am mer-
camille man but fortune never favored me.
| had no mohey myself, and l loved and
married poor girl. I never could begin
business on my own account. took sit
uation as book-kseper, which held until
become useless from age, and younger
men were preferred to me. Thus my cir
cumstances were always circumscribed, but
my domestic happiness was complete
My wife was an angel Of love, kindness
and fondness, good and pious, active and
afectionate; and my daughter is the true
image of her mother. But age and illness
brought me to the last extremity, and my
conscience revolts against the idea of the
best child in the world sacrificing her life
for an old useless fellow. I cannot have
much longer to live; and / hope the
Lord will pardon me for cutting off few
days or weeks from my life, in order to
preserve or prolong that of my dear Ber.
tha.'
you are fortunate man, my friend,
exciainuoa asho J'os.ns man Z nave never
seen a more fortunate one. What you cal
your misfortune, is sheer nonsense, ane
can be cured at once. Tomorrow / viii
make my will, and you shall be the hei
/ to all my possessions, and Tomorrow nigh
| will take the leap from the Main Bruck
alone. But before | leave this world, mus
see your Bertha, for am anxious to loo
upon one who is worthy of the name of
human being t#. .' ..as
g But, sir, what can have made you SO ur
: happy at this early age ? said the old m ar
. moved with compassion.' . @
i believe it was my fathers wealth.
J. am the only son of one of the riches
bankers Of Frankfort; when I mention
. my name, you will be at once convinced {
d the truth of my assertion. My fathe
; died five years ago, and left me the heir t
It an immense fortnne. From that nome nj
r. every one that has come in contact wit
n me has endeayored to deceive and defrau
me. l was child in innocence, trustin
d and coniding my education had not bee
IF neglected, and l possessed nay mother
q loving heart. | enGeavored to associat
ir myself in union of love and friendshi
with good and generous people, but foun
re only hypocrites and impostors, who pre-
! tended friendship for no other purpos
than to partake Of my wealth, and enjo
n. themselves at my expense. My friends,
a rather the villains whom [ mistook f
j, friends, and to whom 1 opened my hear
re- betrayed me, and then laughed at my sin
in plicity but in time gathered experien,
! and my heart was, filled with distrust. W.
a. betrothed to rich heiress, possessed of a
y fashionable accomplishments; | adore
,rL her with enthusiasm j; her love, though
a. would repay me for every disappointmer
os But soon saw that she was nothing mo
nd than proud fool, who wished to make n
10 her slave, and yoke all other men besid
to her triumphant chariot. | broke off Il
60 engagement, and selected a poor but char
,er ing girl-a sweet innocent being, as
;nt thought, who would be my life's own a
gel. Alas! found her one day biddi
ain adieu with tears and kisses to you
nod whom she loved she had accepted !
life for my wealth only. My peace of mi
,on vanished; sought diversion in trave
everywhere found the same hollowu
~ the same treachery, the same misery.
ues short became disguised with life, and
isb solved to put an end this night to the 7
liable farce .ss ..--n
nm. unfortunate young man. said the 9th
nre with tears of sympathy, 'how deeply
of pity you. / confess have been more
~ tunate than you. have possessed "
,ro. and daughter, who came forth pure 9
r. immaculate from the hand of the Great
:, The one has returned to Him in I
,os. whiteness of her soul, and SO will the Q
-; err a efaa
will you give me your address, old n
and hermit me to visit your dauohtar