The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-03-14

ness aud repose. The gate-keepcr asked
whether was desirous of seeing any Of
the spirits of the blessed /; and l made
reply that l much desired to be led
where the philosophers we're wont to
meet. 'There are two, replied the
guardian who much frequent spot
close by. They are most intimate neigh.
bors, and take much pleasure in each
others society," Who are theyT said
l. Socrates and Helvetius,' was the
guardians reply. Il have an equal cs-
teen for both of them but lead me first
to Helvctius, for though | speak French,
am not a master of the Greek language
Hclvetius received me in the most
friendly manner, He questioned me
eagerly upon the present state Of relig
ious matters in France, and on the po-
litical subjects which most engaged the
attention Of Europe. But l, who had
imagined he would have been more
anxious to be informed upon matters
that concerned him more nearly, and
surprised that he made no inquiries
about you, interrupted him at length in
his interrogatories, and exclaimed, But,
good heaven have you no desire to
know how fares your old faithful friend
and partner in life, Madame Helvetius ?
she who still loves you with such af-
fectionate constancy !! Scarcely an
hour since | was in her house at Auteu-
il. and had the most convincing evidence
of the undiminished interest and deVo-
ton with which she regards you, and
cherishos your memory
"Ah = said he, you speak of my for
mer matrimonial felicity. We must
learn to forget those things here, if we
would be happy. For many years l
thought of nothing else, she was con-
stantly before my mind, and even here
| felt desolate. But at length | have
found consolation for the loss of her
society. l have married another charm
ing woman, and it would have been I'M
possible to find one who resembled more
my first wife, than her on whom my
choice has fallen. She is not so hand
some. it is true, as was my former spouse;
but she is gifted with as much feeling
and intellect; and loves me tenderly.
She has, indeed, no thought but to
please me, and to render me happy.
Stay awhile with me and you shall soon
behold her."
Upon this I resumed Il perceive
very clearly that your first wife is inf
nitely ly more true and constant than you
are. Since your death she has had sew.
eral very advantageous offers of marriage
but he refused them all. Twill can
didly confess to you, that loved hel
myself with the most intense affection
but she remained cold and nsensible tC
all my entreaties and all arguments; in
fact, she refused my hand from love fOr
you !"
81 am exceedingly sorry to hear that
she was so unreasonable, aud pity hel
inconsidelate wilfulness; for she was in
deed most excellent and truly lovea
bic woman"
"At these words, Madame Helvotius
made her appearance; and in her | rec
ogn;ze-ilnagine only, who I saw before
me? No other person than Madame
Franklin my old faithful American
friend and wife On the instant | laid
claim on her as belonging to me-but
in cool and somewhat repulsive tone,
she said "For forty years aud foui
months, nearly half a century, l was
your wife. Rest satisfied with that.
have here formed another alliance, which
will endure forever Deeply chagrin-
ed to be rejected in so cold a manner
by my departed wife, Immediately re-
solved to quit such ungrateful spirits.
longed to return to our planet, and be-
hold once more the sun and yOu! Say
shall we not avenge ourselves for such
, inconsistency 2"
, But the charming widow of Auteuil
was by no means disposed to avenge in
: such a manner the faithlessness Of the
, spirit which the American philosopher
brain had so yividly impressed upor
him in his dream. Her determination
to remain single had long been an unal
terable resolve Had such not been the
case, it might be readily believed she
would have hesitated before she rejected
an offer that conferred with it so mucf
| honor, and which, had she accepted
would have bestowed upon her name
equally celebrated in two quarters of th'
: globe.
AS they sat opposite to each other a
the omen window, it was not without I
certain degree of emotion that she gaz
. ed on the earnest, truthful countenancC
, of him who spoke to her. so frankly
and, with a cheerful hopefulness of sou
at once so tender, so affectionate Sh'
appreciated at their full value the higl
esteem, and the sincere friendship, o
t which he had given her proof so incon
. testible in the solicitation for her hand
Neither in his manner, nor his word
5 had Benjamin Franklin made himsel
II iculous. There was nothing of tn
7 love-sick dotard in his demeanor, BE