The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-03-14
LOVE VERSUS WEALTH.

! The city of Hudson is situated in a
picturesque locality on the banks Of
( the magnificent river Of the same name
A description of the place need not be
given, further than to say it is situated
i'll a lovely spot, where nature had evil
IDENTITY spread her most inviting charms.
Here dwelt my hero and heroine
Charles Ashley was the only son of
his widowed mother, who was the pos
SCISSOR of an humble home in that city
Of wealth and fashion, and supported
herself and fatherless boy by honest
industry and the most rigid economy.
Here, under the fostering care of a
most affectionate mother, he grew to
manhood. BY strict application to
study he mastered the common sci
ences, and at the age of % years was
possessed of more than ordinary at
tainmcnts, and somewhat noted in his
own circle for his superior scholarship.
Here, in this beautiful city, Amelia
Fillmore first saw the light. Her faith
or was a retail grocer of moderate
means, but industrious, prudent, and
sagacious, he succeeded in rearing a
large family respectfully, and confer
ring on each of his children the bene-
fits of good education.
While they were children, Charles
and Amelia attended the same schools,
and pursued the same studies together
4 They early formed an attachment for
each other and at the opening of our
tale they were betrOthcd At first,
their intention was to depend on the
salary which Charles received in a
large mercantile establishment, and
had made up their minds to be content
with the happiness afforded by cOnnu-
! bial bliss in the humber walks of life
But, before perfecting their plans, the
rumOrs that were atioat relative to the
fabulous wealth easily obtained in the
, gold mines Of California induced ChaS.
to suggest to his affianced the prOprie-
/ ty of postponing their wedding for a
! few years, and in the meantime he
would try his fortune in the land OF
= Sol1, i" tho hope OF returning possess
ed Of wealth that would enable UneIn,
when married, to live in a style that
might CRAFTY their highest ambition
and place them on level with theil
most aristocratic ncighbOrs.
To this proposition Amelia most
gladly assented, for she was not desti
tute Of those ambitious feelings which
so often find lodgment i'll the human
| breast.
In due time Charles started on his
winding way toward his FL Dorado
Of wealth, with his mind filled witt
bright visions of the ease and atliuenct
that in coming years should reward
his trials in the land Of gold.
The lovers had arranged to cOnverSt
frequently by the silent language o
the pen, and, true to his promise, Charlie
informed his lady-love of his safe al
rival at the Empire city, and his pro
bable early departure to the land o
his future trial he also dispatched :
letter to her on his arrival at Sacra
mento, which informed her of his safe
ty. Frequently missiyes passed be
tween them, and at the expiration o
three months from the time of his al
rival at his far-off home Charles inform
ed Amelia that he had fortunately earn
! ed and profitably invested one thousan
dollars.
Who can tell the visions of happ
ness that fioated through the mind @
his betrothed in her humble home a
she read of her lovers success Ill tn
golden FL Dorado, and of his prospects
Surely, for the sake of wealth-for th
sake of living in a style inferior to non
! in that city of gayety and fashio
j she could afford to wait and tn
fact that this wealth was his trial an
sacrifice, and the proof of the affe'
ton he bore her, would make it a
the more thoroughly appreciated
f Who can blame her if she indulged
n dav-dreams Who will chide her
+ she allowed herself to build air-castlt
t, for the future
; Time passed on, and though Charl'
wrote often to his betrothed after Il