The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-05-12

The maidens of NapOulc particularly
became very pious about this time; for
they, most of all, took the matter to
heart. And they were not to be blamed
for it; for since the advent of Marietta
more than one prospective groom had
become cold, and more than one wor-
shipper of some beloved one quite in
constant. There were chickering's and re-
proachcs on all sides, many tears, peril
nc'It lectures, and even rcjections. The
talk was no longer of marriage, but of
separations. They began to return their
pledges of truth, rings, ribbons, etc.
The old persons took part with their
children; ordinations and strife spread
from house to house; it was most de-
plorable.
Marietta is the cause of all, said the
pious maidens first; then the moth
crs said it; next the fathers took it up
and finally all, even the young men.
But Marietta, shielded by modesty and
innocence, like the petals of the rose
bud in its dark green caliX, did not sus-
pcct the mischief of which she was the
occasion, and continued courteous to
everybody. This touched the young
men, who said, Why condemn the pure
and harmless child? she is not guiltyu
Then the fathers said the same thing
then the mothers took it up; and final
ly all, even the pious maidcns. For,
let who would talk with Marietta, she
was sure to gain their esteem. So before
half Il year had passed everybody had
spoken to her, and everybody loved
her. But she did not suspect that she
was the object of such general regard, as
she had not before suspected that she
was the object of dislike. Docs the vio-
let, hidden in the down-trodden grass,
think how sweet it is?
Now every one wished to make
amends for the injustice they had done
Marietta. Sympathy dccpencd the ten
dcrncss of their attachment. Marietta
found herself greeted everywhere in a
more friendly way than ever; she was
more cordially welcomed ; more heartily
invited to the rural sports and dances.
ABOUT THE WICKED COLIN.
ALL men, however, are not endowed
with tender sympathy, but some have
hearts hardened like Pharaoh's. This
arises, no doubt, from that natural de-
pravity which has come upon men in
consequence of the fall of Adam, or be-
cause, at their baptism, the dcvil is not
brought sufficiently under subjcction.
a remarkable example of this hard
ness of heart was given by one Colin,
the richest farmer and proprietor in Ma
poulc, whose vineyards and olive gar
dcnS, whose lemon and orange trees,
could hardly be counted in y day. One
thing particularly demonstrates the per-
versenesS of his disposition; he was
twcnty-scvcn years old, and had never
yet asked for what purpose girls had
been created.
True, all the people, especially dam
sails Of certain age, willingly forgavc
him this sin, and looked upon him as
one of the best young men under the
sun. His fine figure, his fresh, .unem-
barra5sed manner, his look, his laugh.
enabled him to gain the favorable opin-
ion of the aforesaid people, who would
have forgiven him, had there been occa-
sion, any one of the deadly sins. But
the decision of such judges is not always
to be trusted.
While both old and young at Napoulc
had become rcconcilcd to the innocent
Marietta, and protlercd their sympathics
to her, Colin was the only one who had
no pity upon the poor child. If Mari
cttta was talked of, he became as dumb
as Il fish. If he met her in the street, he
would turn red and white with anger.
and cast sidelong glances at her of the
most malicious kind.
If, at evening, the young people met
upon the sea-shOrc near the old castle
ruins, for sprightly pastimcs, or rural
dances, or to sing catches, Colin was the
mcrricSt among them. But as soon as
Marietta arrived the rascalIy fellow was
silent, and all the gold in the world
couldn't make him sing. What pity,
when he had such fine voice! every
body listened to it so willingly, and its |
store of songs was endless.
All the maidens looked kindly upon
Colin, and he was friendly with all of
them. He had, as we have said, a
roguish glance, which the lasses feared |
and loved; and it was so sweet they
would like to have had it painted. But, |
as might naturally be expected, The Of |
Tended Marietta did not look graciously |
upon him, And in that she was per-
fectly right. Whether he smiled or not |
it was all the same to her. AS to his
roguish glance, why, she would never
hear it mentioned; and therein too she
was perfectly right. When he told a
tale land he knew thousands), and ev-
erybOdy listened, she nudgcd her neigh
Dor, or perhaps threw tufts of grass ut .
Peter or Paul, and laughed and chatter
ed, and did not listen to Colin ut all.
This behavior quite provoked the proud .
fellow, so that he would break of in the |
middle of his story and stalk suddenly |
away.
Revenge is sweet. The daughter of
mother ManOn well knew how to tri-
umph. Yet Marietta was Il right good .
child, and quite too tender-hcartcd. If,
Colin was silent, it gave her pain. If
he was dOWncast, she laughed no more.
If he went away, she did not stay long
I,Al, ,i,,1 l.,,f Il T.. 4