The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1866-02-08
THE ERRTNG DAUGHTER.

" bNhhANAibih VI
some fortune, was left widOwer, at
an early age, with one infant dangh-
ter. The only consolation he felt after
the loss Of a partner whom he entirely .
loved, was in the contemplation Of the
opening charms and grace of his little |
Maria, who soon promised to become |
all that he had so much admired in |
her deceased mother. He attended to |
her education with the utmost care
and assiduity procuring her instruct
ors Of every kind, Of approved merit,
and often taking that pleasing Office
upon himself, for which his good sense
and knowledge eminently fitted him.
With these advantages, she grow up
lovely and accomplished in an uncom-
mon degree; and seemed in every re-
spect formed to complete the warmest
wishes of parent. He accordingly
dotted on her with the EXTREMIST fond
ness, and formed no other desire or
purpose in life than that of seeing her
happily and honorably established.
} In pursuit of this design he did not,
like most parents, cast his eyes on
! wealth or rank.
Convinced, from impartial observa-
: ton, that happiness, in the conjugal
state, is only to be expected from mt
l tual, confirmed relish for sober and
rational felicity, the first and greatest
t faculty he looked for in a son-in-law,
3 was mind formed to steady and ha-
!, bitual virtue. The character usually
t distinguished by the title Of man of
d pleasure was, therefore, the object Of
his aversion and dread.
S Maria had received from nature that
dubious gift, heart of exquisite tend
d erness and sensibility. This, while it
n made her return her fathers fondness
IS with the warmest filial affection, rem
a dered her also liable to attachments of
n a stronger and more dangerous kind.
l. Unpractised i'm the world, she did not
d look at mankind with the discerning
Is eyes of her father and where she saw
an amiable appearance, she was easily
d led to imagine that everything else was
RI correspondent
r A young officer happened to be
d quartercd in the town where shelived,
who, to most pleasing figure and adj
n dress, added n manner and converse
tion the most specious and insinuating
, that could be conceived. He appeared
=, all softness and refinement, at the time
- that his heart was vitiated by the loos
v est principles, and most confirmed
:. habits of debauchery. Accident gave
- - him an opportunity of commencing
~ 10 an acquaintance with Maria before hel
- father was aware of the danger tC
!, which she was exposed.
~ The impression he made was too
:, strong to be eradicated; and, although
q her father, as soon as he had discovered
~ y the connection, used every art of per
u: suasion, and every eXertiOn of parenta
y, y, authority to dissolve it, he was unable
~ to succeed. AS Mr.. Spencer refused
=" his consent to a union, the unhapp!
consequences of which he clearly fore
q saw, the lovers had no other resource
~ to crafty their passions than an elOpe
~ ment. 1t was long before one educa
:" ted in the habits and principles tina
" had so carefully been implanted il
- Maria, could resolve upon so rash ant
!" guilty step; but at length it was de
termined on and effected, and the TN
= fortunate daughter was too late con
vinced of the dreadful exchange sh
r had made, of the caresses of the mos
= indulgent of parents, for the fugitiv
embraces of an abandoned and worth
less husband.
ire Justly incensed, as her father was
en- she burst not attempt to soften his re
DIV sentiment, which, founded upon an ac
ur of disobedience that Overthrew all hi
he dearest hopes, was likely to be stead
ith fast and durable. After suffering
IN variety of misery, both in body an
mind, in following husband VIII
treated her with brutal neglect, sll
buried him in garrison abroad, an
returned to the neighborhoOd of he
% early home in the utmost indigenc'
the third year after her marriage, wit
a son about two years old. ,.-
She had the good fortune to met
with a comfortable asylum, soon aft,
her arrival, mt the house of a lady VIII
had been her mothers most intimat
OF friend. BY her, she was treated wit
!, all the kindness of parent and h(
benefactor,- desirous of doing her sti
more essential service, resolved to a
tempt the arduous task of reconcilin
her to her father.
18th AS this lady's good sense was equ
to her benevolence, she was sensib
that in order to succeed in such an a
,Ial lmpt, it was not advisable to make
direct application, which would gi'
=, resentment an opportunity of beir
ii"' heard as well as natural affection; b
3. first to awaken his paternal feeling
dis and then urge the suit while the il
:. preston was still warm. She Il;
soon an opportunity for executing h
5. plan.
Mr.. Spencer, who had always Ike
up an intercourse of strict friendsh
with her, came to pay her visit.
was contrived that Maria's child, o
of the loveliest children ever behel
should carelessly enter the room, a
play about among the company.
soon caught the eye of Mr., Spenc
Gnu who was very fond of children, a
= he asked the lady to whom the char
ing boy belonged. To a friend
ews mine" she slightly answered, a
a by turned the discourse to some otl
nee. % subject. The child attracted more a
,ots more of Mr.. Spencer's notice.