Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-04-07
PRIDE,S PENALTY.

Twas left an orphan at an early age, but
with immense wealth Arriving at man
hood, / enjoyed all that untrammeled
leisure and money could procure. / trav-
eled, and for some years pursued those
amusements and pleasures which the old
world, with its experience of luxury, offers
to the unoccupied and wealthy. When l
was about thirty l determined TO marry
and as my property consisted chiefly of
lapd, situated in my native country, l
wished, when married, to return there
and make it my home. Then thought 1t
would be better TO select wife from my
own countrywomen-one who would con-
sent to settle down to the domestic life of
her own home and shrunk from select
ing my future life companion among the
gay and brilliant bellies of foreign circles.
| was wearied of travelling, and pined for
some new sphere of enjoyment A quiet
married life could procure happiness for
me, felt sure and on my voyage home |
built all sorts of domestic castles IN the
air.
| thought it would be very easy in my
own country to obtain just the kind of a
wife wanted. had no doubt of my sue
cess. l knew had fine personal ap-
pearance, and good address, which would,
of course, secure the heart of the happy
lady of my selection; then my handsome
fortune and excellent position in society
would smooth away all family difficulties.
Just after my return home found there
were as many obstacles existing to my
marriage as abroad the women were the
same,-beautiful, accomplished and inter,
esting but mere women of the world.
| mixed in the fashionable world, of
course, and was mark for scores of ma
neuvering mammas and fair daughters. No
one asked what faults | had, or whether
my disposition was such as TO insure hap
piness in married life. My passionate, will.
ful temper was termed becoming spirit,
my selfishness was either overlooked or
uncared for. possessed every charm of
mind and person because | was an excel
lent match. Disguised, almost resolved
upon old bachelorhood for the rest of my
life.
One summer, after recovering from an
attack of illness, happened, by chance, in
travelling about to restore my lost health,
to stop at sea-bathing place, unfrequented
by the fashionable world. 1t was so un-
like every other watering-place had ever
visited, that resolved to remain there un-
til l became tired of it, as / had been of
AT this retired place met Fanny Fair
clough. Her parents had gone there, like
myself, for the benefit of their health,
rather than for amusement. l soon dis
covered that Mr.. Fairciough and my
father had been college friends; and
though they had but rarely met after they
had left college, the recollection of their
boyish intimacy was so pleasant to Mr.
Fairclough that he received the son of his
old friend warmly and affectionately.
From my first interview with Fanny
Fairciough felt interested in her, and an
intimate acquaintance increased that inte-
rest. l soon penetrated her character
not difficult task, for never had seen a
face so expressive of the feelings of the
soul as hers. Her actions, too, were die
tated alone by the impulses of pure
heart. found that she was artless, intel
Hgent, and affectionate. Nevertheless,
when circumstances aroused her, she pos
sessed an impetuous temper, and not lit
tie pride. soon found that she was ra-
ther self-willed; but excused this failing,
for she had always been the petted play
thing of parents, friends, and teachers
These were her only faults, and thought
they might easily be corrected, for, while
harshness but incensed her, she was as
easily controlled by gentleness as child,
and determined to win her
loved her as had never loved woman !;
read with her her favorite authors and
mine; walked and rode, sung and talked
with her. l told her of the lands had
visited, of the wonders l had seen; and
when, at last, l gave utterance to my love,
my words fell on willing ear, and soon
obtained permission to ask her hand of
haV- 70 -
when they heard their girlish daughter de-
manded in marriage. They had seen my
attentions, it was true; but they had look
ed on me as so much her senior-she was
but twenty, l beyond thirty-that they
had never imagined the possibility of NV
becoming lover. However, when they
found that she really loved me, they offer
ed no objection, stipulating, however, that
our marriage should be deferred for one
year, and, if at the expiration of that time
we both remained unchanged, they prom
ised that she should become mine. plead
ed in vain for speedy marriage; / feared
that the prize had won might possibly be
lost to me, and, with all my natural i'm
petuosity of temper, sought to procure
Immediately what hoped would perfect
my day-dream of happiness. Their daugh-
ter, they said, was very young, and might
possibly have mistaken a girlish liking for
serious attachment. /, too, might be in
huenced by passing fancy.
| yielded to what | could not control /;
but there was a source of satisfaction min
gled with my disappointmt Mt | saw that
my wealth had no influence in their deci-
sion, and the fear which had always
haunted me of being married from merce-
nary motives was destroyed; at length 1
was loved, fondly and devOtedly loved,
and for my yself alone
The year passed away more rapidly than
l had anticipated. Oh, what a happy
year was that Even now, friendless and
alone, sorrow stricken old man on the
verge of the grave, look back upon that
period as the sunny time of my existence
In my dreams recall it, and once again
those happy days, with their bright hopes,
their blisstul realities are mine.
Daily my betrothed grew nearer and
dearer to me; though modesty restrained
any protestations of love, her silence was
more eloquent than words. When my
wedding day arrived l would have made it
the occasion of grand festival; wished
the world to witness my proud joy; but
my bride looked on marriage as too solemn,
too serious thing for mirth.
A pAOuNSl, II uOI u ndppler luhlll was L,
when, after we had finished the bridaltour
she was at last installed as mistress of my
magnificent mansion. Fete after fete was
given to her, and we plunged into the vor-
tex of fashionable matrimonial gayety.
Fanny, however, preferred the quiet
pleasures of home 10 the gay scenes into
which she was introduced; and so, in
truth, did /, but my vanity reioiced in her
triumphs Secluded as she had been from
society, she had none Of the faults of the
initiated, and was proud to contrast her
artless, unaffected mien and modest digni-
ty, with the stately pretensions of those
around her.
AT length the bridal parties were over,
and in the quietude Of our home our char.
acters began gradually to untold them
selves to each others view. l found that |
was not mistaken in my estimate of my
wife's love. She loved me with all the
ardor of her warm, impetuous nature
her faults were not called into action, and
she was radient with all those good quail.
ties which so delight man. How very
happy We werel how very happy we
might have remained! MY moon Of per