Indiana American, Volume 5, Number 23, Brookville, Franklin County, 2 June 1837 — Page 1
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A TAIjE.
iVrtwiAe Southern LOOSING AND
Literary Messenger. WINNING.
Mr.
to
IV Til AVTKOR OF THE "COTHfiU IS THK GLEN," "SENSIBILITY," Arc. Concluded. A feT days after this circumtance orriirre !, a'l invitation to another was received. Mr. Westbury looked at the card firt, nnd handing it to Julia, said: i would have yon act your pleasure with reg-r.l t" accepting this invitaf ion."' 'It will he my pleasure," said Julia, l)CsitatinjraJid colouring a little "it will be my pleasure (o consult yours.'
I 'ive little choice about it." raid
Westbury, "and if you prefer declining
acrpt it, 1 would have you do so." 'SYi you attend it!' asked Julia, while a shade of anxiety passed over her featurr. "Ccit-vnly not, unless you do," Mr. Westburr r( plifd. Tlien,' sail Jutin, if it be as agreeable
nyou, i had a thousand times rather spend it t home,al-ne with" she checked herself.
color d crimson, and left the sentence uufin iihed.
Tiie morning after the levee, Mrs. Westbu-
r .yns favored with another call from Mrs Cunningham. 'Why, on earth were vou not at Mrs t . loot ,i i Zi i
U 3 ' mollis kcu sue almost as soon
i? slto entered the house. 44 You can't
far nothing more splended and delightful than
i-nrv Ihuig was." "You were there then?' said Julia.
"Ye?, certainly though I went quite late. FJ vvarJ was sick of a violent head-ache, and
I wa obliged to see him safely in bed before
icouu go; but nothing would have tempted nn to miss it."
t ' ' v l3. r '-'unnngham this morning!"
j j'ia nnjutreu.
"Wli better though rather languid, as is tin il after such an attack. But I came on an
errand this morning, and must despatch bust nfl.Nj, as I am in isomcwhat haste. Mrs
1 is to rive a snlen.li.l
"Oh, no of course not," said Mrs. Cunningham, in a tone utterly devoid of all tenderness of feeling: "but then I should not love, you the less for having beautiful things, I suppose. And really, Edward, 1 think one of the best ways in which a husband can
snow ins love lor his wife. is bv eratifvin her
in dress, furniture, company, and so-forth!"
ne must rum himself, (hen, to show his ove," said Mr. Cuuninshim. throwing hi
head back on the easy-chair, with a mingled
expression of bodily and mental pain on his
leaturcs.
Mrs. Cunningham, however, did not look
up to mark the expression of his counten
ance, but halt muttered in reply to his re
inarK
. . .
i never knew a man who was loo sCncrv
to dress his wife decentlv, fail to excuse him
self on the ground of necessity. How 1 do de
test to hear n man talk of ruin, if his w ife on
ly asks for a new pair of shoes?"
Mr. Cunningham was too decnlv wounded
to attempt a reply; nnd Mrs. Cunningham, having vented something of her discontent
in this gentle ebullition, flirted out of lb
chamber, without even casting a glance to
ward her sick and now afflicted husband.
enum nartv next
wee bv the Wav. haro .,
- - .'w- ,vu n .iu
yet! ' "1 hive not," said Julia.
"Aeitaer have I but we both shall. I wr.it to prepare a dress for the occasion, and c;ime in to look at the one von wm-o m
Mrs. Patkers, as I think of having something
I.IO! H. r m
est bury was about to ring the bell.
au ray,, the dress brought to her visitor's
sspaction, but Mrs. Cunningham slopped her
ivm.
Vo. r.o do not send for it.
L.ct me po
-vou to J0'"- wardrobe; I may see something else liiat jlk ,
Mrs. Wcsthn
.mm...,,,, niiu ill.; nx HI . l . . .
7i , 7, ?clhtr- M". Cunningham was Uelig.itfuHj free in examining the articles xp.ed to her view, and expressed such
-armajmiration of many of them, such ar, anient hpita tn r.,-. i.
.i , . r'' u,e 'te, mat it was
"laer anucult to forbear telling her that they
Z- u . , "V sc" The blond mantle.
..i,, .. u.ue border, struck her fancy particularly, and Mrs. Westburr beeped hV tn r
cppt H, sajing "that she should probably nev-
1 as tne colour was not a fa 'onto with her husband." 'Mrs Cunningham hastened home, delight
v.i utr acqviiiiion,anl immediately has-
"ac to the chamber, to which her husband
, .itin ronfinel by IndWpos.tion, to display
iht prsze
--ve wh,t a delightful liiiJc nfHiir that
u' -ir iii
4Il
r, h,s Sivcn ne.fhc cried.
In due time Mrs. T-
"r Invitation was
received, and this it wasMr. Weslburv's wish
that Julia should necrpt. Without manifes
ting Me least reluctance she consented, nnd
Mr. Westhury went so far as to thank her for
her cheerlul compliance with his wishes
This was a very slight courtesy, but there was
sonieiiimg in wr. vestoury's voice when he
spoke, that went straight to Jul'a's heart
and she left the room to conceal the strong ?! .... &
emouoii exeneu dv so verv trivia n rn:n.
"She certainly strives to please tne. be the
motive what it may,7 thoughtkMr. Westhury when left alone "and though I cannot Iov
her, honor nay, gratitude demands that I
will make her as happy as circumstances wil
allow." He took a pen, and hastily writing a few lines, enclosed a bank note of considerable value, and left the little packet on her
tvnxlr fnltln flint I . . - . I . I .
nwiiv lame, iiim sue iui"iii fee n ng soon as
she returned. He then left the house. When
Julia resumed her seat hy her tablp. tho
packet was the hrst that attracted her notice She hastily opened it, and read as fol
lows:
"As Mrs. Wcstbury is too delicate and re
served to make known a want, she may have
many which is uninougnt 01 oy rum who is bound to supply them. Will she receive the
enclosed, not as a gift, but as her right? per
haps a new dress will be wanted for
l s levee; if not, the enclosed ran
meet some of those calls on benevolence, to
"II. I - f O - "4 I
li'- 1 1 - Ior ma ,h;lt iNIr- Westbury aCi to his note or her own,
"uu, c se 1 should not hare Pot it. I sun-.' ""d on his desk disanne
' .' ,,',?l,s,,'Bhe C0U'J n-are this, and fiftv to ti.e library. But at
':',,.!,, aa as not. Why. Edward, terminated. On going to
j i uoii l know I, .ii. t.r. . . i ,.ii
ak n ueiig'iwui wardrobe onscrvea a iim
lit-
le has
n it
am sii r n s .i A i i , .. . .
mil. .cifrt "V"',c,OOKs oetter dressed than
L,nr,.: i - . Ba,u.r. v.unnmgham in
tlm, - . J J"u musi niuige me
- t oeiieve. '
voice.
1 1 ' " l mae "ie m05t every thing 'n;r, snuilMrs. Cunningham, "but really, Eawat-d, Mrs. Westbury has twice as much ot all sorts of apparel as I have." "And h?r hushanil has more than four 'es as much property as I have," answered Mr. Cunningham. "Supposing he has," said his wife "that cfd make nn ilifri-n,0 ;n rt;.lo nCA rnca
. III 111 ill tiviv vmviiv. J1'' tlien her house is so charmingly furnish-
",r) P:rt ol it! I was in her chamber,
ed
J ,?c now.
and it
1 n 1 . aJn in ii I 1
1'itllrr in i. 4l. . - i . .i
3'- i is oi ricuest ana moi oeautitul
Every
Kin,!. I J I i i . . ...
ucuiire i aimost enviea ner ot so
"'any luxuries" "We surely have rverv thing to comfort, ny dear Lucy," said Mr. Cunningham. "Our
Mppir.ess do"s not depend on the splendor w our furniture, but on our affection for each her. You would be no dearer to my heart, l the paraphernalia .of a. duchess, diamond and nil, than you are in your simple mourn"g drtss: and I hope you do not love me' the ess, for not being able to furnish my houe ,! taa style of Mr. Wtfttburr."
hich report says Mrs. Weslbury's ear is ever
open. Atnl it Mrs. Westhnrv win aft far
t -J
overcome her timid delicacy. as freely to make known her wants whenever they occur, she
win greatly oblige her husband." Julia pondered long on this note. It was ceremonious and cold cold enough? yet it was not so frozen as the only letter she had received from him. Perhaps it was his way of letting her know that he wished her to dress more elegantly and expensively. "1 will know cxplicitely," thought she nnd taking a pen in her turn, she wrote the following: "Mr. Wcslh ury is so munificent in supplying every want, that his wife has none to make known. If there is any particular dress that will gratify Mr. West bury s taste, Mrs. Westbury will esteem it a great favor, would he name it, and it would be her delight to furnish herself accordingly. She accepts with gratitude, not as her right, but as a gift, the very liberal sum enclosed in Mr. Weslbury's note." Julia placed her note on Mr. Weslhurv's reading desk in the library, and felt an almost feverish impatience to have an answer, either
verbal or written. For more than an entire day' i J
nowever, sne was doomed to remain in sus
pense, as her husband made no allusion either
though the one she
.ired on his first visit
length her suspense
her chamber she
her dressing table.
On raising it, ."he discovered a note that was placed bene.it.1 i' The note ran thus: "Mr. Westbury highly approves the elegant simplicity of Mrs. Westhury 'sstyie f dress, &
in consulting her own taste,she will undoubt
edly gratify him. lie has yet but once seen her wear an unbecoming nrticle. The contents of the accompanying box were selected, not for their intrusive value or splendor, but because they correspond so well with Mrs. Westbury s style ofdress and beauty. If she will wear them to Mrs. T 's she will gratify the giver." Julia opened the box, and a set of beautiful pearls met her view "How delicate, how kind, nnd how cold he isl" thought she. "Oh, how trifling the value of these gems, compared to one particle of his love? Yet for his sake I will wear them not as mv
adorning may that ever be the ornamen. of
a meek and quiet spirit, but as proof of my desire in all things to please him, nnd meet his approbation." Mrs T s were well filled with the elegant and fashionable, on the evening on which herhouse was opened to receive company. But the heart of Julia was not in such
scenes. The more she saw of fashionable
life the less she liked it. Education envy,
destruction, and dissimulation were obtruding .1 . . .
uiemseives on her notice, amid gaiety and splendor. Her conscientious scruples as to
the propriety of thus mixing with the world, increased rather than diminished. "I promised," thought she, while she wassurvavin (ho
gay assembly I promised in all things lawful, to obey my husband hut is this lawful for me? It is my ,Jlv it is'mv nlcasure in
comply with all his" wishes, where superior
do not forbid; but is it allowable for me to Irv
to please him thus? His heart is the prize at
which! aim, 'but will the end sanctifv the
means?' Can I exrect a hlpssinir Um ..'i,. ,.
on my efforts, while my conscience is not quite clear as to the rectitude of the path I
pursue? Can I not have moral courage enough to tell them mv scruples? nnd dare
I not hazard the consequences?" Julia's reflections were interrupted by the approach of Mrs. Cunningham.
"How serious you look, Mrs. Westburv."
said she, "Really, you and Mr. Cunningham
would do well together, for you are both more grave in a party than anywhere else. Mr. Cunningham actually tries my patience for his disrelih for society. I do believe he is quite well; yet he made indisposition an excuse for not coming with me to-nighti But," said she lowering her voice almost to a whis
per, "J shall shew him whether I cannot be obstinateas well he! He chooses to stay at home I choose to come out and if he will not come with me, neither will I stay with him. I should rather live in a cottage in the lountry and have done with it, fur there 1 should have nothing to expect; but to live in the midst of elegant society, and yet be con.
strained to immure oneVs'elf, is intolerable.
and l win not submit to it!" Mrs. Westhury had not the pain of replying to a speech from which both her heart and her judgement revolted-, as Mr. Eveleth at that moment addressed, her. lie soon en-
S'.Scu ..el iii n conversation which was continued for an hour, and would have been continued still longer, but for a general movement for the company, which separated them. Not long after, Eveleth found himself near Miss Eldon, who was chatting with two or three gentlemen. Mr. Westbury was standing hard by, but bis back was toward them, and Mr. Eveleth did not observe him. "Arc you acquainted with Mrs. Westbury. Miss Elden?" Mr. Eveleth inquired. "No, not in the least," said Miss Eldon, "and do not wish to be. She looks altogether loo fade for me." "Fade!" snid Mr. Eveleth "I should think that the last word thr.t would apply to Mrs. Westbury in any wny. She is certainly animated both in countenance nnd manner, and she talks better than nny lady 1 ever conversed with. Her thoughts have some thing of mnrulenelrciiglh and range, de
lightfully modified by feminine grace and delicacy. Her manner is perfect!) huh like mid gentle." "Every thing she says must sound well," remarked another gentleman. "She has women's most potent charm, in perfection a voice whose tones arc all music." "Perhaps it is all just as ou say," gaid Miss Eldon, "but really, I never saw 'a lady tliAt appeared to me more perfectly insipid, or
less attractive. 1 hope" hut the tone of
miss Udon s voice contradicted her words "1 hope her husband sees with your ees, rather than mine." "I do I will!" thoaght Mr. Westbury, who had heard all the conversation, with a variety of conflicting emotions. "Fade!" reiterated he.as Miss Eldon uttered the word. "Tis false!" He glanced his eyes towards Julia who stood on the opposite side of the room, talking with another lady. She was dressed in black, a colour that finely contrasted with her pearls, which proved to be very
Decerning, iier cheek 'was a little flushed,
mired his person. His fortune she loved; and bitter was her mortification, unbounded her displeasure, when his hand was bestowed on another. To make it appear lhat he still
loved her; to wring ihe heart of his wife, and j detract from her character, were now ihe main springs of her actions whenever she met them. The sight of Julia's pearls, which the thought should have been her own, awakened, on this evening, peculiarly bitter feci-
ut: ii.iuu ine neait even, ol iMr.
Westbury, were trifles, when compared with such beautiful ornaments, except as Ihe) were the medium through which the latter were to be obtained.
A ten minutes' conversation with l.cr ri
devant lover was all her art could accomplish
uunng i secured
eleth has great colloquial powers. His conversation is at once brilliant and instructive. 1 know no gentleman who equals him in this particular."
"1 cannot say quite as much as that," said Julia, "though he certainly converses uncommonly well." "W ho can you name that is hisequall" asked Mr. Westburv. Julia hesitated a liltle.and blushed a great deal, though her blushes were unseen a"s she said "in conversational powers, I think my present companion is verv rarely, if ever excelled. "And why." she added, "such gentlemen should mingle in crowds, where their talents are in a great measure lost, instead of
ins in in on noine out. in i he enirv .i i. r ...
they were detail hv il.o ... .... A. l"'au,e ' "PPreciatmg them,
: . , iJ . V r """"iiuii'tiu-. uui i suppose my ideas
of rational enjoyment, of elegant society are very singular." She stopped short, fearing
In the entrv
otw.ai t . : . . . . . , . . .
during the evening at Mrs. T 's, until Zr"
r-- ... iciisi, lit
hem,
xnH Innl-in a .I' .. 1 uu-. mil j suppose my laeas
together with Mr. and Mrs. Eveleth. exam
ining a bust of Gen. Lafayette, which stood on a pedestal, near the foot of lhp smirrnso.
With a smile on her beautiful features, which
very slightly soflened a compound expression of scorn nnd malignity. Miss Eldon said "Really, Mrs. Weilbury has made a conquest! Mr. Eveleth is devoted in his attentions, and enthusiastic in his pnrnminnn'
and her whole face beaming with admiration. "Fade, 'lis false!" Mr. Westbury'? pride was piqued. Julia was Mrs. Westburv his
wife! could he patiently hearherthus unjust
ly spoken of? as there any thing noble in that mind that could thus speak of a rival? How grateful to hi feelings were the remarks of Mr. Eveleth? How clearly he read the feelings of Miss Eldon in the'tone of voice in which she uttered her last remark! He wailed to hear no more, but moving towards a table lhat was filled with refreshments, filled a plate, and carried it to Julia. It was the first attention of the kind he had ever paid her, and her face was eloquent indeed, as she looked up with a smile, and said, "thank you.'" Ile'stood by her a few minutes, made some common place remarks, even took a grape or two from herpUte, and then turned away. It w;s one of the happiest moments of Julia's life! There was something indiscribable in his manner, that a delicate and felling woman could alone have seen or appreciated, of which Julia felt the force. Wrhen the party broke up, Miss Eldon contrived nga:n to secure Mr. West bury 's arm. She saw that he purposely avoided her, whether from new-born indifference, or principle, she could not determine; but having boasted to a number of her confidential friends of his passion for her, and the reluetance with which he had complied with his father's command to marry Julia, who had made the most indelicate advances she resolved, if art or maneuvering could arrom-: plish it, to maintain the appearance of power over him. From the first she exulted in her eonquest of Mr. Weslbury's heart. She ad-
JJo von not heirm to vet ipi.l.ma?''
"Not in the least," replied Mr. Westbury. "The attentions and approbation of such a man as Mr. Eveleth are an honor to any lady; and Mrs. Westbury s rigid sense of virlue hiid propriety will pievent her ever receiving improper attentions, should any one be disposed to offer them. She has too "much
delic acy and refinement to court the atten
tions even of her husband, much less those of
tfie husband of another!" Miss E. was stung with mortification, and dropping her head, lhat her face might be
in-, imuu, sue saia, in a voice
tremulous with conflicting passions "How little did I ever expect to near Fred
erie west Bury speak to me in such a severe
tone; ' "Severe ! Maria Miss Eldon ' Does common justice to Mrs. Westbury sound harshly in your ear?" . " "Certainly nol but your tone your man
ner are not what they were, & I hope that no
mi urmiances, no new engagements, would
prevent your retaining a kmdly feeling to
warns whom. she hesitated, "One whom
1 once loved," said Mr. Westhury, finishing
me senience lor her. "les, you well know that I once loved you." "Once?" interrupted Miss Eldon. "But this is men's fidelity?" "Miss Eldon, you astonish me," said Mr.
""""'.M nw marrieu; my wne com
mands my respect nny, my aspiration, and duty, honor, every thing commands that all former tics, however tender, should he broken. Our happiness, our respectability demands that henceforth we be on!y common acquaintance." "Be it so; farewell," said Miss'Eldon, with irrepressible bitterness of expression, and snatching her hand from beneath his arm.
she sprang forward and lo.k that of her bro
ther, who had iusf. issued from the narlor.
"Is that, can that be Maria Eldon?" tho't
Mr. Westbury; the amiable, the feeling, the refined Maria! Where has my love, my ad
miration, my passion for her gone? or rather, by what blindness, where they first excited?
uocs sue wih to retain nay, does she claim
the heart of the husband of another? What
perversion of principle is here!" rr i .... .
ine crowu at the door was by this time
nearly dispersed, and Mr. Westbury, advan
cingjto the trio that still remained near the
bust, drew his wife's arm w ithin his. and bidding Mr. and Mrs. Eveleth "good night," led her to their carriage.
"How have 3 ou enjoyed yourself this evening?" Mr. Westbury inquired, as soon as
1 no carriage door was closed, and the coach man had mounted his box.
"Quite as well as I ever do scenes of the
character, Julia answered. "Do you not then relish society?"
"Not very well in such large masses," said T.,1;.. tic " r . .. .
ou 1 in as my ooservation has ex
tended, they have little tendencv to increase
benevolence, or any of the finer feelings of
the heart. 1 have often feared lhat vanity j .1.: 1 i . .. J
m.u iiiiim iur aomiranon were the causes
that draw together one-half the crowd; and
a vulgar loe ol luxury the other."
"1 hose causes surely do not influence all
those who attend large assemblies, said Mr Westbury. "Such persons as Mr. and Mrs.
Eveleth, lor instance, are entirely above
mem.
"Undoubtedly," said, Julia. "Still I be
lieve the rule as general as any other-" "Does rot the elegant and instructive conversation of such a man as Mr. Eveleth reconcile you to a crowd?" Mr. Westbury inquired. "Certainly not," said Julia. "How much more highly such conversation would he en
joyed how much greater benefit derived
Irom it, in a small circle. Artificial delicacy and refinement artificial feeling artificial good nature artificial friendship, are the usual compound that make large companies. Had Mr. and Mrs. Eveleth spent this evening with us, in our quiet parlor, how much greater would have been the enjoyment! how much more profitably the time might have been occupied!" "It might," said Mr. Westbury. "Mr. Et-
she was saying too much, but Mr. Westbury
requesiea ner 10 proceed. Alter a minute 9 hesitation she said 4I think the ciowded drawing-room should be abandoned to those who are capable of no higher enjoyment than gossip, nonsense, flirta'ion, and eating oysters, confections and creams; and that people of talent, education.
principle and rehnement. should associate freely in small circles, and with little ceremony.
In such kind of intercourse, new friend
ships would be formed, and old ones cement
ed, the mind and heart would be improved,
anu me demons ol envy and detraction exclu
ded. Alter an evening spent in such a cir
cle, the monitor within would bi at noarp.
and the blessing and protection of Heaven codld be sought, without a feeling of shame and self-condemnation." "Then your conscience is really at war with la rge "parties ?'! said Mr. Westbury. "I cannot deny that it is," Julia answered. "Impelled hy circumstances, I have striven to think they might sometimes be innocently attended, and perhaps they may; hut I confess that the reproaches of my conscience are more and severer, every time I repeat the indulgence. 'Whatever they be to others, I am constrained to believe they are not innocent." for me Mr. Westhury made no reply, for at lhat moment the carriage stopped at their own door, and the subject w as not again resumed. Every party was sure (0 procure for Mrs. Westbury the favor of a call from Mrs. Cunningham. On the following morning, at at early an hour as etiquette would a!lor,she made her appearance. "1 could not slay away this morning," sho said, the moment she entered. "I am sovcxed, nnd so hurt, lhat 1 must have the sympathy of some friendly heart; and you are a frie nd to every one, especially w hen in trouble." "What"! roubles you, Mrs. Cunningham?" Mrs. Westbury inquired." "You recollect," said Mrs. Cunningham.
"what! said to vou last nipht about . Mr.
Cunningham's indisposition. Well, as soon as I got home, I ran up stairs, of course you know, to see how he was, expecting to find him abed and asleep. Judge how I felt, whenI found my'bed as I had left it, and no husband in the chamber. I flew down stairs,
and searched eveiy room for him, but in vain.
I then rang for Peggy, and asked 'if she
knew where Mr. Cunningham was.' 'La, ma'am,' said she, 'I'm sure I don't know. He went out just after y ou did. He called me to give charge about the fires, and said he was going out. I thought he had altered his mind and was going to Mrs. T 's.' 1 dismissed the girl, and went to my chamber in an agony, as you may suppose. I declare I hardly knew what I did or thought for three long hours for it was so long before Mr. Cunningham came home! 1 don't know what 1 said to him when he came, but he was not the kind, affectionate creature that he ever has been, for he almost harshly told me to 'cease my upbraidings!" upbraidings! think what a word 'for if I sought pleasure where I liked, I must not quarrel with him for doing the same!' My dear Mrs. Westbuiy, I could not make him tell me w here he had been, do all 1 could and I have horrible surmises. Whal shall I do? I am sick at heart, and almost distressed." "Will you follow my advice, my dear Mrs. Cunningham?" said Mrs. Westbury, who truly pitied her distress, much ns she blamed her. "Oh, yes I would do any thing to feci happier lhan 1 now do. Reaily my heart is broken." and she burst into a passion of tears. Mis. Westbury attempted to sooth her, and then said "Forgive me, if I wound, when I would only heal. You have been a little imprudent, and must retrace your steps by conforming lo the taste of your husband. He does not like crow ds, and you must, in part, relinquish, them for his sake." "And is not that hard?" said Mrs. Cunningham. "Why should he not confoim to my taste, as well as 1 to his? Why must men always have their own. way?" "Thai point it is not worth while to discuss," said Mrs. Westbury. "Your happiness, my friend, is at stake. Can you hesitate an instant which to relinquish, those pleasures, which, after all, are so unsatisfy-