Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-08-11
FRAN
Or
THE MODERN PRoMETHEUs.
BY MRS: M. w. SHELLEY.
CHAPTER |.

cestors had been for many year
counselors and Syndics; and M,
father had filled several public sit
uations with honor and reputation
He was respected by all who knew
him, for his integrity and indefati
gable attention to public business
He passed his younger days per
petualty occupied by the affairs O.
his country and it was not unit
the decline of life that he thought
of marrying, and bestowing on the
state sons who might carry his vir-
tues and his name down to poster
ity.
| AS the circumstances of his mar
riage illustrate his character, / can
not refrain from relating them.
One of his most intimate friends
was Il merchant who, from q -four
ishing state, fell, through numerous
mischances, into poverty. Tins
man, whose name was Beaufort,
was Of proud and unbending dis
position, and could not bear to live
in poverty and Oblivion in the same
country where he had formerly
been distinguished for his rank and
magnificence. Having paid his
debts, therefore, in the most honor
able manner, he retreated with his
daughter to the town of Lucerne,
where he lived unknown and in
wretchedness. My father loved
Beaufort with the truest friendship,
and was deeply grieved by his re-
treat in these unfortunate circum-
stances. He grived also for the loss
of his society, and resolved to seek
him out and endeavor to persuade
him to begin the world again
through his credit and assistance.
Beaufort had taken effectual
measures to conceal himself; and it
wasten months before my father
discovered his abode. Overjoyed at
this discovery, he hastened to the
house, which was situated in a
mean street, near the ReuSs. But
when he entered, misery and dis
pair alone welcomed him. Beaufort
had saved but very small sum Of
money from the wreck OF his for
tunes but it was sufficient to pro-
vide him with sustenance for some
months, and in the meantime he
hoped to procure some respectable
employment in a merchants house.
The interval was consequently spent
in inactiOn. His grief only became
more deep and ranking, when he
had leisure for reflection and at
length it took so fast hold of his
mind, that at the end of three
months he lay on bed of sickness,
incapable of any eXertiOn.
His daughter attended him with
the greatest tenderness but she saw
with despair that their little fund
was rapidly decreasing, and that
there was no other prospect of sup
port. But Caroline Beaufort possess
ed a mind of an uncommon mold;
and her courage rose to support her
in her adversity. She procured
plain work she plated straw; and
by various means contrived to. earn
q pittance scarcely sufficient to sup
port life.
Several months passed in this
manner. Her father grew worse
her time was more entirely occupied
in attending him; her means of
subsistence decreased and in the
tenth month her father died in her
arms, leaving her an orphan and a
begger. This last blow overcame
her; and she was kneeling by Beau.
forts coffin, when my father enter
ed the chamber. He came like
protecting spirit to the poor girl,
who committed herself O'his care,
and after the interment of his friend
he conducted her to Geneva, and
placed her under the protection of
Caroline became his wife.
When my father became a hus-
band and parent, he found his
time SO occupied by the duties of
his new situation, that he relin-
quished many of his public employ
ments, and devoted himself TO the
education of his children. OF these
| was the eldest, and the, destined
successor to ell his labOrs and util-
ity. No creature could have more
tender parents than mine. My
improvements and health were their
constant care, especially as L re-
manned for several years their only
child. But before | continue my
narrative, must record an incident
which took place when | was four
years of age.
My father had a sister, whom he
tenderly loved and who had mar
ried early in life an Italian gentle
man. Soon after her marriage, she
had accompanied her husband into
his native country, and for some
years my father had very little com
municatiOn with her. About the
time / mentioned she died; and a
few months afterWard he received Il
letter from her husband; acquinting
him with his intention of marrying
an italian lady. and requesting my
father to take charge of the infant
Elizabeth, the Only child of his de-
ceased sister. at is my 'wish,,' he |
said, "that you should consider her |
as your own daughter, and educate |
her thus. Her mothers fortune is
secured to her, the documents of
which L will commit to your keep
ing. Reflect upon this proposition |
and decide whether you would pre-
fer educating your neice yourself, to
her being brought up by step
mother" /
MY father did not hesitate, and
Immediately went to Italy, that he
might accompany the little Eliza
beth to her future home. | have Of |
ten heard my mother say, that She |
was at that time the most beautiful |
child she had ever seen, and show
signs even then, of gentle and |
disposition. These in-
dications, and desire to bind as
Closely as possible the ties of dOmeS-
tic love, determined my mother TO |
Elizabeth as my future |
wife; a design which she never !
found reason to repent.
From this time Elizabeth Laven-
"a became my playfellow, and, as
we grew older, my friend. She was |
docile and good tempered, yet gay |
and playful as q summer insect. |
she was lively and ami
mated, her feelings were strong and
deep and her disposition uncOm-
monty affectionate. No one could !
with more grace than she |
did to cOnstraint and caprice. Her
was luxuriant, yet her
of application was great,
Her person was the image of her |
mind her hazel eyes, although as |
lively as birds, possessed an at |
tractive sOftness. Her figure was
light and airy and though capable |
of enduring great fatigue, she ap-
peared the most fragil creature in
the world. While | admired her
understanding and fancy, L loved
to tend on her as | should on a IA