The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-07-31

bear upon nv individual will. in ca Sc
in which it dares to act for itsel
Well, urged by the wishes of NJ,
family, and also, l must own, in az
cordanee with my own inclination.
some months ago entered into an en-
gagement with gentleman who wa
a great friend, or perhaps I sboult
say constant companion of nv eld
er brother. T,-.norrow is the da,
fixed for the wedding. | am certain
that l should not have made this en-
gagement if / had had create
freedom of intercourse with othe
men so as to compare and Judge (.
character. This freedom I bav.
never enjoyed until lately, and the
result of my observations has beer
anything but favorable to my intend
ed. Daily | discovered in him trait:
of character which effectually de
stroy all the romance of nv predie
ton. But still forbore to break of
with bim. eonsoling myself with the
reflection that no man is perfect, and
expect to meet with defects in whom
scever l might take for my husband
tell you this that you may under.
stand why did not seek to put az
end to this engagement until it had
approached so near its completion.
felt dissatisfied, and wished that
were free: but it twas not until this
evening that perceived in him
points of character which excited
my contempt. need not explain
what those points are-it is sufficient
that l feel contempt for him; and
with such sentiment in nv heart,
can it be right that | should marry
him ?n
Decidedly not" said the doctor,
emphatically.
Then what course would YOU ad-
wise me to ADOPT to be rid of him -
demanded the lady.
Would not this be a question for
clergyman or alawyer to settle ?''
asked the doctor, gently, "rather than
for a physician, whose skill is mainly
directed to curing the ills of the
body? Nevertheless, as you ask my
advice, ! cannot bat give il to the
best of my knowledge and judg-
ment. 1t seems to me that you have
one of two courses to pursue either
to decline openly 10 keep your en-
gagement, or to throw yourself upon
the honor of the gentleman. He
could not insist on you keeping a
promise OF this nature if you express
your wish to retraet it.n
Under ordinary circumstances, and
ordinary people td deal with said
the lady. "eitber II these plans, or
combination of the two, would nc
doubt be successflA. But | have al
ready told you il what a formidable
array My family can muster to op-
pose me; and they would do so, ev-
cry one of them, II | should attempt
to bring such disgrace on them (for
such they would all consider i'll as to
refuse this marriage, from apparent
caprice, at the eleventh hour"
''ln matter so entirely concern
ing yourself, and in which your hap
piness for life is involved, | should
imagiLe. that in these enlightened
days, every one would yield to your
wishes and Judgment" said the doe
tor.
"The days are certainly past when
lady could be stormed and carried
at the point OF the bayonet," replied
the visitor but an immense amount
of coercion can still be used, of kind
10 laws can protect US from"
Then it seems to me that your
own frmness and resolution should
supply the deficiency" said the doc
tor. "You are of age, | presume 2"
Yes" she replied, "and a year
beyond ii. But my being legally en-
titled to ac: for myself does not, as |
told you, protect me from the pecu-
liar kind of coercion which | dread.
Do yoR remember the ballad of "Auld
Robin Gray ?n
My father urged me, sair, but my mi,her did
m speak;
Yet she lookit 10 my face, tin my heart was
Ike to break.
"Can you say there was no coer-
cion in that sad tale And it is pre-
cisely this kind of influence that /
fear; and fear my own strength to
withstand it. On every hand | shall
be heset by arguments. anger, re-
proaehes, upbraidings, lectures, sp.)
peals to filial and sisterly affection,
sighings, and Mysteries.
Ny conduct would be ascribed to
every motive but the true one, be-
cause they have seen no change in
the gentleman, and will not allow
that am blessed with keener sight.
At one moment shall be told tha.
am shameless jilt and an srrant CO.
quette; that crave so inordinately
for notoriety at any cost that | can
cooliy sacrifice the most sacred feel
ings Of a conEding lover in order to
become d nine-days talk And the
next moment | shall be informed that
such conduct as mine can only be ex-
planned on the supposition of my
having formed some attachment so
excessively unworthy Of my birth
and connection that am ashamed to
acknowledge it: and this kind sur
mise will come from nv Aunt NJ atil-
da, my maiden aunt, who is so only
because she was stopped when about
TO run away with her grandfather,s
valet. / should in fact be assai.ed
by an amount Of talk against which
it would be impossible 10 stand"
:'Then why not take the other al
ternstiye ! mentioned said the doc
tor, land throw yourself upon the
honor and generosity OF the gentle
man ?"
Simply because there is nothing
Of the kind to throw yourself upon"
she replied "If there we're, / should
not wish to be freed from him. He
possesses neither honor nor gener-
osity ; but 10 their place there are
the most grovelling Difference to the
worlds opinion, and an intense self
ishness. The 6rst of these para
mount feelings would prompt him to
compel me 10 keep my engagement,
lest be should be sneered at as
Tilted man; and the second would
not allow him to forego his own Pc
caniary expectations for the sake of
mere woman's wish.
ar xn,;roJ .. 80, 49,, or,c;orooI