Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-11-07

Matilda, SAID |, T." am SOrely tempted
to say something in all frankness u paused.
Wcll," MuImured Matilda in the lowest
Of voices, after silence Of several minutes.
A burnt child breads the fire." replied.
ITO be refused twice by the same woman
would be desperate wound to mans van
ty. Have you forgotten, Matilda, he:e in
this very room two years age how you replied
to my offe::' remember your very words
: You are such muff!'"
"Oh! never said that Oh, no. At
least, surely-surely, never could havo said
anything so rude. Well yes--I believe--l
recollcct did say so, bt:t" "---. She
laid her hand on my arm with gesture full
of coquetry, aud shot glance at me from
under her long eyclashes which she int nd-
ed and probably believed to he irresistible, as
she added: ~ rctract them; you are no
longer the same man. You arc quite chang
cd, you know. You are not a mutf, new -
"You arc right" replied, &" am no
longer the same man. Will you listen to me
without laughing!' There was little need
for this request. Matilda manner presented
very decided contrast to her demeanor two
years ago Her shoulders did not now shake
with suppressed mirth. She sat like a stat
uc; all affectation, all convcntionality for the
time forgotten, utterly absorbed in the words
which fell from my lips. Miss Mansbane,
two years ago when was pure and good,
you rejected the noblest offer which can be
made to woman-the offer of sincere.
faithful heart. You were not satisfied with
simply rrjecting-you treated me with ridi-
culs and scorn. was then-yes, say it
myself-a man whom a vr'uous woman
might have been proud TO accept. was un-
polluted, and I-loved you | believed in
you would have cherished you saw my
type Of female excellence in you! You were
right, was indeed a muh' then. What
am now? have sown my wild oats as
the world calls it. Do you know what that
implies9 1t means ,hat | have degraded
myself in my own esteem, lost my robe OF
purity, and with it my beautiful illusions
respecting your sex. Now can re-cho By
ren's lament ...
No more-no more-oh never more on me
The freshpcs. OF the hear. shall fall like dew
But the dissipation into which men are
permitted to plunge with impunity is fitting
"a necessary preparation to enable uS to
sink to that depravity of the mind and heart
which can make us worship women like you.
Start hot | have taken my degrees in vice.
have sullied my soul, and society-good.
virtuous, pharisaical society--instsad of
spurning, opens her arms and welcomes the
r0ue. 1t is such women rs you, who, wear
ing the mask Of hypocritical prudery, are the
ruin of men; wac hold out premium to sin,
who admire us for our errors. But you shall
not have the satisfaction of finding that you
have utterly ruined me. loatho and des-
pise society which caresses nc because I
have forfeited my own self.estccm. Hence
forth quit old associations, and return to q
rational life. Perhaps some day may again
become worthy Of the love of good woman
Miss Mansbane, | wish you good morning"
Matilda Jane regarded me with look ol
rage, in which all feminine dignity, cunning
and grace were forgotten. For once saw
her without artifice, and heard her speak
with sincerity as she Missed out tho words
" You have behaved shamefully, and | hate
your a Is ..,
Thank ysu," replied" I shall quit
this room with much better opinion of my
self than when entered it." And l with
drew. .......
Whether Matilda Jane appreciated the
practical lesson had given her---whether il
was her pride alone which was wounded, o,
if her conscience had been touched, l know
not. Women have the power of concealin,
their sentiments better than men. / do no
think my old fame will coquetts ,anybod,
else in hurry.