The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-07-24
BETTE HAucHToM+

MIR. Haughton was by profession a
BOOKSELLER gentleman of consider
able reputation in his own immediate
vicinity land, of course, highly re-
spected by his moro intimate ac-
quaintance. Unfortunately for him
self, he had married lady who was
more disposed to rule thnn to obey.
Her sphere of government was limit
ed, but this only rendered her the
moro despotic. Hence, She was ar
bitrary and imperative. Her hus-
band was of an entirely different
character. He claimed to be de-
scendant of Adam, only uncertain of
the dignity of his ancestors inter
vening.
Mrs. Haughton was fond of dis
play and fashion-Mr. Haughton of
retirement and simplicity. Some of
his children took him as an example; {;
some of them her. How it happened
that two persons Of such opposite
tastes and sentiments became united
in "holy matrimony," it would be
difficult to conjecture, if the same
thing did not occur every day. But
there is no necessity for acuteness of
observation to perceive that mar
riagos are not now, Mt least, the result
of mutual love. So far from it, if
there is any love on the one side,
that is sufficient; and if not, the COM
pact is the same-the parties are
joined in mntrimony, legally, and
this tie holds them together.
Mr.. Haughton, no doubt, married
by accident, or his wife may have
planned the connection. This she
would not have hesitatcd to do, for
she cared little, for the world, being
In the main Above them-that is, in
her own estimation. Her daughter
was q fac sinaile of herself, though
far more intelligent and beautiful.
Few were so highly favored by nature
as she. Education also had contri-
buted its due to her accomplish
ments. AS she was meeging into
womanhood, she had many admirers
and several suitors. The former she
hardly noticed-the latter discarded.
She set q high value on herself; its
value was a fortune; her mothers
estimate of her was the same. Nei-
ther of them regarded the moral af-
fections very highly; something be-
sides love, in their view, was neces-
sary to happiness-at least to the
genteel part of society.
"Why, Mr.. Haughton and myself, :"
said Mrs. Haughton, "have always
got along very we'll together--or,
should have done so if he had had q
fortune-and / know that we never
married for rloveAneyer.."
So Mrs. Haughton discussed matri-
mony, SO theorized before her daugh-
ter, who very readily adopted her
views. Her object, therefore, was to
get fortune for Bette; to secure her
alliance with some millionaire; and
to do it by means of her attractions.
Accordingly, no eagle more anxiously
watched for his prey than did Mrs.
Haughton for q victim. In the
meantime, Bette received the atten-
tions of many young gentlemen oi
talent and responsibility, for she ina.
gined that the more she was sought
after, the more she would be in de-
mand.
The old gentleman watched al
these manouvreings and many other.
oliu dJ ACuIO W tuluh GLuO LIE
daughter was thus set up in the ma
trimonial market to be struck off tc
the highest bidder; for he knew tha
without love there could be no hap
piness in u matrimonial union; HI
knew it from experience. Bette wa.
his daughter; he trembled for he
late; and the more because he coult
do nothing to avert her probable
doom.
Mrs. Haughton at last fixed he.
eye on young gentleman of fortune
His name was Cavenaugh Havin4
formed mercantile connection witt
wholesale establishment in the cit,
OF M, he became very wealthy il
short time. Indeed, he was repnte,
to be a millionaire. Soon Mrs
Haughton contrived to send him he
compliments, with an invitation to
party. Cavenaugh was delighted
this was an unexpected favor; a toke,