The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-11-05

"Matida," said I, Z" Il am sorely tempted 70
cay something in Ill irshkness"-I paused.
Wei," mGrmared Matilda, III the lowest Of
voices, alter silence u several minutes
"a bsrnt child breads the fire." l replied.
To be refused twic. by the same woman would
BE- . desperate wound to . mans vanity. Have
you forgotten, Matilda, here in this very r0oaa,
two years ago, hos you replied to nv offeri !
remember your very words: . You are such q
munp" ftff5l ~.
"Oh never sxd that. Oh, ne! Al least,
surcly surely, l s-vcr could have said any thing
20 rude. We'll. yes beie,e-I rscolect did
Day 90, but"--. She laid her hand my
arm with gesture Of eoqueuy, and shot sly
glapee as from under her long eyelashes.
Which she intended asd probably believed ~ be
irres. stable, as sue aided ~ rs,ract them YOU
are Io longer tie same lnan. You are quite
changed, you kao~. You are not a muf now !"
"iou are nsb,." replied. 4" ] am longer
the same Inal. Viii you listen Z" me without
lAughinx!" There Vas little heed Tor this
quest. Aatiida's sLai,ner presented a very deci
ded contrast Ia her deineaDor OF Two Years ago.
Her shouRiei did not shake with suppres,s d
uSirth. She sat Ike a statue; all ancctatiou
all conventiOnaliiy tor the time forgotten, utter
ly sbsosbed ia the words which lei! from my
lips. Miss MAnsbane, two years ago. when |
vas pure and good, you rejected the mobiles. Of
fer &hich eau he made ~ q wOu,aR--tbe offer Of
q sincere aud faithful heart. You we're not -at
isied with simply ~ jeetiog-you treated me
with ridicale and scorn. | ~as theD--yes, 1 say
il myseii-a man whom virtuous woman might
have been proud TO accept ] was unpOllutcd,
and loved you. l believed in you. / would
have cherished you. l sa~ my type OF female
excellence ia you. You were right. was in.
deed muff then What Am l nov, l have
sOwE my Wild oats, as the world calIs il. Do
you know what that implies! IL means that
have degraded myself IN my own esteem, lost
my robe OF purity, and With it my beautiful il
lusions respecting your sex. Nov can re echo
Byrons lament
mo more--no morc-ol. IA vcr more on mo
The freshness of the heart shall fall Ike dew
But the dissipation Into which men are per
mt,rd 10 plunge with IMMUNITY is fitting
necessary preparation to enable US TO sick To
that depravity OF the mind aud heat that can
make us worship vomen Like you. Start not
have taken my degrees in vice. l have sullied
my soul, and sOciety-good, virtuous, pharisai-
cal society --ihstezd Of sPurhing, opens her arms
and weicOmes the roue. Ii 10 such women al
you, who, wearing the mask of hypocriticai pru-
derry, are the ruin of men; who hold out pre-
mum TO sin. who admire us for our errors But
you shall not have lhc satisfaction Of finding that
you have utterly ruined me. lOsthe and des-
pise Z society which carosses me because I have
forlsited my own self esteem Henceforth l
Quit old associations, and return to q rational
lite. Perhaps some day, may become worthy
Of the love Vi good woman. Miss Mansbanr,
] wish you good morning"
Matilda Jane regarded me with look OF rage.
in which oil feminine dignity. cunning aud grace
n