Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-04-06
PRIDE'S PENALTY.

was left an orphan at an early age,
but with immense wealth. Arriving at
manhood, enjoyed all that untram-
melted leisure that money could pro-
cure. | travelled, and for some years
pursued those amusements, and pleas
ures which the old world, with it's ex-
perience of luxury, offers to the unoc-
cupied and wealthy When l was
about thirty / determined to marry;
and rs my property consisted chiefly
of land, situated in my native country,
| wished, when l married, to return
there, and make it my home. Then l
thought it would be better to select
wife from my own country women,--
one who would consent to settle down
to the domestic life of her own home;
and | shrunk from selecting my future
life-companion among the gay and
brilliant bellies of foreign circles. l
was wearied of travelling, and pinned for
some new sphere of enjoyment. A
quiet married life would procure hap
piness for me, felt sure; and on my
voyage home, l built all sorts of do
nestle castles in the air
thought it would be very easy in
my own country 80 obtain just the kind
of wife ! wanted. had no doubt of
my success. | knew had fine per-
sonal appearance, and good address,
which would, of course, secure the
heart of the happy lady of my selec-
ton; then my handsome fortune and
excellent position in society would
smooth away all family difficulties.
just after my return home l found
there were as many obstacles existing
to my marriage, as abroad the women
were the same, accomplish
ed, and interesting, but mere women of
the world.
| mixed in the fashionable world, of
course, and was a mark for scores of
manmuvering mammas and fair daugh-
tiers. No one asked what faults had,
or whether my disposition was such as
to ensure happiness in married life.
My passionate, wilful temper was term
ed becoming spirit, my selhshness
was either overlooked or uncared for
| possessed every charm of mind and
person because | was an excellent
match. Disguised, almost resolved
upon old bachelorhood for the rest of
my life.
One summer, after recovering from
an attack of illness, l happened by
chance, in travelling about to restore
my lost health, to stop Mt a a-bathing
place, unfrequented by the fashionable
world 1t was so unlike every other
watering place | had ever visited, that
| resolved to remain there until | be-
came tired of it, us | had been of every
thing else.
At this retired place met Fanny
FNirclough. Her parents had gone
there, like myself, for the benefit of
their health rather than for amusement.
| soon discovered that Mr. Fairclough
and my father had been college friends
and though they had but rarely met
after they had left college, the recol-
lection of their boyish intimacy was
SO pleasant to Mr. Fairclough TINT he
received the son of his old friend warm
ly and atfectonately.
From my first interview with Fanny
Fairclough felt interested in her, and
an intimate acquaintance increased that
interest. 1 soon penetrated her char
acter-not difficult task, for never
had | seen face so expressive of the
feeling of the soul as hers. Her ac-
tons, too, were dictated alone by the
impulses of pure heart. found that
she was artless, intelligent, and afiec-
tionate. Nevertheless, when circum-
stances aroused her, she possessed an
lmpetuous temper and not u little pride.
| soon found that she was rather self
willed but | excused this failing, for
she had always been the petted play
thing of parents, friends, and teachers.
These We're her only faults, and |
thought they might easily be corrected,
for, while harshness but incensed her,
she was as easily controlled by gentle
ness as a child, and determined to
win her.
| loved her as had never loved wo-
man; / read with her her fayorite au-
thors and mine; | walked and rode,
sung and talked with her. | told her
Of the lands had visited. Of the won.