Year: 1874

Disinterestedness seems to be inherent


in the good and virtuOus part of the fe-


male sex, and not unfrequently it is ex-


hibited among those unfortunates who,


sunk by the heartlessness of man into the


depths of infamy, still preserve amidst
the wreck of every noble and virtuous


sentiment, some vestige of that lovely
| quality which allies women, when in


her purity, to angels.


Twenty years ago, Seth Barry was one
| of the most dashing men in Rochester.
| Nobody sported a more elegant equipage,
or lost his money Qighting the tiger
| with more nonchalance than did he.
Men said he was 'brick;" women pro-
nounced him charming fellow, only a
little too gay; and both men and women
thought he wanted nothing to make him


perfect, but fifty thousand a year addi-
tional As it was, he managed TO spend
the interest of ne lrly half million of
dollars without any apparent exertiOn.
None of Seth's male friends were ever
short of funds when he was about, while
any lady had only to admire handsome
diamond in a jewelers. showcase, to be
sure of receiving it as a present the next
day Is it marvel that such "A blessing
to the community was beloved!


As years went on, Seth began to con
tract more extensive habits, and to fight
the tiger with more pertinacity, and
finding that he could not live upon the
interest of his money, he began to draw
upon the principal. He never intended
to go very deep into it sbut after he had
made the first attempt, the thing became
familiar to him, and he dashed onward
in his ruinous course, until he one day
found that his fortune was nearly eX-
hausted. After the first shock was over,
he didn't trouble himself much about the
discovery he had made. A strange calm
ness took possession o. his mind, and he
actually, at times, smiled over his i'm
pending ruin.


When things were in this condition, a
relative of Seth became possessed OF tie
secret, and, having more prudence than
the spendthrift, proposed TO him to mend
his fortune by marriage, mentioning, at
the same time, "A lady who was wealthy,
and who regarded Seth with favorable
eyes As u general rule, bachelors OF
forty-five rarely think OF Inatrimony,
particularly if they are well pleased with
their fellows; but there are, of course,
exceptions to this rule. The lady in
question was not pretty, but she was as
rich in virtues as she was in the gifts of
fortune.


Seth Barry was reckoned handsome
man; he knew he was good looking, for
his mirror had often told him so. 'Tis
true. a few gray streaks were visible in
his dark hair, but it gave him more
distinguished air than would otherwise
have been the case. He listened with a
great deal of complacency to his rela-
tive's advice, and concluded to follow it.


He lost no time in calling upon Mrs.
Cordelia Swift, a young widow, who re-
ceived hinI with great favor and frank
ness. From that time Seth laid siege to
her heart, and shortly proposed to her,
and was accepted.


When the fact became known TO the
public. there was howl among his poor
male friends, and a wall on the lips of
those women who had not received dia-
monds. But there was no help for them,
all the presents now went to Mrs. Cor
della Swift, and the men might growl,
and the women storm and sneer, yet
Seth Barry was going TO enter the pale
of matrimony, and matters must take a
new turn.


Mrs. Swift had been a widow only
twelve months. 1t was therefore agreed
to defer the nuptials until another year
had passed away. Seth. who abounded
in good nature, coincided with her views,
only too happy to I've able TO go en- in
his old course a little longer. He sold
his turnout, saying he had become tired
of it, and, as Mrs. Swift had horses and
carriages. it would be useless for him TO
retain his own. Seth never drove any
thing in the shape of horsetiesh but
blooded stock, and he realized good
sum from the sale of his animals and We
hicles. He did not wholly give up his
CAV life, but he abated good many OF
his wild ways. he fought the tiger less
frequently, and with more caution. He
had seen the animals teeth in days of


yore too often not to know that 1t was
dangerous to trifle with him. His luck,
however. began to be little better than
it formerly had been. Perhaps the wary
animal scented Seth's secret, and wished
TO lure him on. If such was the case,


Seth never permitted the temptation TO
play high to overcome him. The tiger
might be as playful as a kitten, yet Seth


would be on his guard.


Daily did he visit the widow. and ac-
tualIv went with her to church. He felt
strange, no doubt, and on his first ap-
pearance. when he stood face to face
with the sexton, he forgot himself, and
fumbled nervously in his pockets, as if
he was searching for the coupons of his
reserved seats The widow smiled as
she OWNED Seth's thoughts; but lie


wasn't much to blame. after all. for the
choir was singing sort OF Operatic hymn,
and more attention was given by the
congregation to that part of the church
| where the organ stood, than to the pull
pit and the man who occupied it.
Cordelia Swift was charitable person
| She had taken young lady, who was


an orphan and poor TO live with her. and
! share the good things of life. This girls
name was Mercy Cawse. She was very
| lovely person, and the timid sOftness OF


her manners made it impossible to know
her without feeling a strong interest in
| her. There is always danger in this sen
sation.


| When Seth first met Miss Cawse, he
being a warm hearted fellow, it was only
| natural he should pity her when he
| heard the story OF her misfoTtunes; but
accident soon convinced him that it was
| something more than commis aration
| that filled his breast. Do what he would,
| he was always thinking OF Mercy Cawse;
| and all his efforts to Danish her from his


mind were void, for his heart was ire


vocably gone.


After heroic attempt to combat this


passion, he began seriously to consider
| how he should act. His conscience told


him that it would be the height of base


ness to marry the unsuspecting widow,


and the union could only be productive


of misery to them both. Yet what was


he to dor He would not wound her


feelings by declaring that he did not


love her. After a severe conflict with


himself. he determined TO write her and


tell her the truth, without, however, dis


covering who il was who had oecasioned


his involuntary infdelity.


The letter was received by the widow