Semi-Weekly Journal, Volume 3, Number 240, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 July 1841 — Page 1

1

. afJdD HJISM AIL.

ISfflI-W13ISIElL

BY DOUGLASS & NOEL.

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, JULY 24, 1841.

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VOL. 3.N0. 240.

TUBLISIIED THREE TIMES A WEEK DURING THE SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE TWICE A WEEK . THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR. Terms. Four Dollars a year, payable in advance, nnd con-, sidered due at. the dale of t he subscription.- 11' not jmiil ill advancey -however,- Kivic Dollars Wilt Tier llirTjirictV: '"" " Advertisements will ho inserted at the following rntes: Ten lines or less, for one or three insertions, one dollar, and twln-TY-m cents for eack continuance. . Or, will bo c.oiitiiuieil on contract one yeer, for sl5, and will lie altered oernsionnlly if desired. On loimer advertisements, a reasonable deduction will nuide. O-SiXGLE COPIES 6J Cents. . . From Taifs -Magazine. THE COST OF A REPUTATION. A PARABLE. ' , ' 'No no, the postehaise is ot the door; it is too kto," cried I to my -mother and sisters, I will not say how many years ago, when about to set tiutfor Sudan. honrinrr nvof-ni. letters of recommendation to the

Due do C, who was enjoying his ministerial holiday at a country-seat in that neighborhood. "You cannot surely have expected, my dear mother, that, at twenty years of age, I should ' sit down tamely contented with " : "Twenty thousand livres per annum, a' cheerful happy home, with the best hunting, shooting, fishing, nnd prettiest sisters in the provinces," interrupted the youngest of the girls. "Bernard! Bernard! think twice before you sacrifice the happiness of such a destiny to idle dreams of vain ambition." "Think of your poor cousin Henrietta, who loves vmi so rlrn rlv." remonstrated another of my sisters.

"Think of the example 'shown vou by the best of

fathers," added my mother in a graver vuio. "My dear mother, my dear girls," cried I, respectfully kissing the hand of the former, as I prepared to take my leave. "You : should, have spoken thus earnestly t wo months ago, before I addressed my first letter of solicitation to the Due do C- G reat men and great ministers are not to he trilled with. My visit lias been announced, and I must go. Some day or other you will rejoice that 1 had courage to tear myself from among you, and create for the honour of the family, a reputation .destined to ennoble the obscure patronymic of my fathers. In youth we owe ourselves to the world, in order that, in latter years, the world may repay the loan with its esteem. The public distinctions, essential to my happiness, once achieved, I

will return straight to tiic chateau, marry my cousin Henrietta, and remain happy and contented among you for the remainder of my days." "But why not be happy and contented now" still pleaded the three girls. "In inglorious Obscurity? never! You will be twice as proud of me, my iear little girls when, four years hence, I return with epaulettes on my shoulders .', a gay colonel from Ver.iille!" "But if you should be killed in nattle in the interim my-good brother!" pleaded my little favourite Ann. I muttered something about "glory," "renown, " "fame," the usual claptraps of the occasion, kissed them hastily all round; and, to avoid further importunity, jumped into the carriage. There was no arguing' with their shrewd good sense and strong affection. - ' A day or two afterwards I --was at .Sedan-,: a garrison town, where I 'was liot sorry to obtain some insight into the pleasures and habits of a military life, previous to taking the first step in my career. AlreadyT foresaw a tremendous crown of laurels impending over my head. The exigencies of war were just then dircfolly active. In half a dozen. years I might be a (Teneral" officer, in a dozen more perhaps, a field marshal. So, at least, I assured myself, every time mv servant touched his hat, addressing me by the ignominious title of "Monsieur le Chevalier." Even Henrietta almost ceased to occupy n place in my memory, so warmly were my hopes engrossed : by my brilliant prospects, ' ', . -, ' ' : '' : The fortifications of Sedan, the roil, of its drums, the martial'air of its very citizen, who cock their hats ,ta.0f ns miifh as to s.iv to strangers visiting

the town, ' We. are the

countrymen of Turenne!"

'.,i",,nt tnnift.i refrigerate mv military ardour. I ha

ted to find mvs'clf .rushing in the eyes of the garrison.-. "Some day or other,'! said I to myself, "these people shall become familiar with my name." To be famous was the height of my nrobiiior.,. I supped that night with the mess of a regiment rf .cuirassiers 'quartered at Sedan, with one of the young officers -of which I had a family connexion.. Among voumr fellows of one nse it soon transpired that I was .on 'mv read to the chateau .'of the Doc de C; that I was forthwith to accompany him to Versailles, where ho was .to present me to the king, and take care of my . promotion; and so unanimous were my companions in -congratulating "tue upon toy great good fortune, and predicting that, in a lew years, I should be at the head of a regiment, that I felt prouder than ever of having found courage to extricate myself from the peaceful ignominy of a country life, and the arms of my pretty cousin Henrietta. I ventured to inquire the road to the residence of the Due de for which I was to set out early in the morning. "Any one will show you the way," cried one ot the 'officers' "It is the famous chateau where Field-marshal Fabcrt breathed his. last; and one of the finest places in the neighborhood." "Fine as it is, however," added another, "I know plenty of provincials hereabouts who .would not set foot in it to command the interest at Court of the Due de C!" "Or even the good fortune of Marshal Fabcrt!" added another. Then finding me insufficiently versed in the feats and triumphs of the said marshal, they proceeded to relate the eventful history of one, who, from a printer's boy, had risen to the highest military rank in Europe; eventually refusing, from the hands of Louis XIV., letters patent of nobility, and the insignia of the order of the Holy Ghost. "In Fabert's life-time," observed one of the officers, "his rapid rise, and unexampled successes, gave rounds to a popular belief that he was indebted to mafic for his unvarying good fortune." "Nay, to this day," added another, "the peasants expressly point out the tower in which the general held his colloquies with the Evil One." "Colloquies!" retorted a third; "did you never hear the story of the general's death-bed! The demon to whom he had pledged his soul is said to have made his appearance at the chateau during thj last moments of Fabert, disappearing at the very instant of his decease." "Carrying off, of course, in his Satanic pouch," added his comrade, with a hearty laugh, "the. forfeited soul of the brave soldier who had outlived so many battles!" "Laugh, and welcome, my dear fellow," remonstrated one of the younger officers; "but I can tell you that scarcely a farmer in the district of Sedan but firmly believes that every month of May, about the anniversary of Fabert's decease, the general's black man. (as they familiarly denominate his Satanic Majesty,) re-appears at the chateau!"

"1 congratulate you, my dear sir," rejoined the more sceptical of the set. , "If you remain long enough the inmate of the Due de C, you may hope to enjoy the excitement of an adventure." rA.tbMS8ndidIc jests resulted from this sportive hint; but. though 1 joined heartly in the merriment of the mess-table, 1 confess it was not without a certain uneasy sensation that, through the misty rain of a spring morning. I descried the tcrrets of the chateau of the Due de C. the following day. I tried to make myself believe that awe at approaching the presence of a man so honored with the friendship of His Majesty, was the sole cause of my nervous tremuur. Hut in spile of my belter reason, the idea of Marshal Fabert's Black Man was not, without its influence. The chateau was surrounded with vast forests, while a cheerless looking lake extended its dingy mirror in the foreground. Nothing inviting in its aspect,! My mind was, however, too foil of castles in the air, to admit of dwelling long upon the ominous features of the place. On presenting myself at the gates of the old Gothic manor-house, I was courteously welcomed; hut the groom of the chambers informed me, it might, bo some hours before I received an audience of the Duke, who had slept the preceding night at a neighboring country-seat. Refreshments were offered me, and I was installed in a sort of old armory on the ground floor, on the walls of which a few curious military trophies were interspersed with boars' heads, stags' heads, and all the modern attributes of the chase. There were also certain old family portraits, which, at the close of a couple of hours, I began to think remarkably disagreeable companions. Scarcely had I come to this conclusion, when a pannel of the wainscot slid gently -aside, and a human head suddenly intruded into the room; of which, independent, of its singular mode of apparition, the aspect was sufficiently appalling, the features being wasicd, the complexion cadaverous, and the coal-black hair wild and shaggy. Still there was something so strikingly intellectual in the face,' that it. was impossible not to feel interested, rather than terrified. . "What are vou duing here.'" inquired a deep but

tremulous voice, issuing from the almost livid lips of

the intruder.

" Vv aitin.o- or the Due de (J . replied L with as

much self-possession as I could manage to assume.

"And do vou fancy that you are the only person

waiting for him!"' reioined the stranger.'. "But the

hour will come! his, and thine, and mine! The fatal

hour will come. Behold! the watcher watcheth for

evermore! The forests of the earth are green, and the skies of heaven are blue; but there is a worm that never dies, and a fire that is never quenched. The

fatal hour is at hand! This very night, and I shall have ceased to exist!" God forgive me! but there was something in this announcement not altogether disagreable. I was far from sorry to hear my singular visiter avow himself to he a mere mortal , subject to the penalty of vulgar clay. And as lie had now passed the threshold, and entered the armory, I perceived that, though wild in aspect, he .was, after all, a well dressed young man, about thirty year,s of'age, apparently labouring under the consequences of -severe indisposition or revere affliction.' . "' -'..: "If you are waiting for the Due de C, come into my room, where yon will be better accommodated than here," said he, probably discerning in my countenance tokens of sympathy in his condition; and I accordingly followed him through the secret door which he closed carefully after us, iuto a small secluded suite of rooms, of which he did the honours with the ease and politeness of a man of the world. . Having taken a seat by my side, and struggled for some minutes with his emotions, as if striving to recover strength and coherency for further explanations, he thanked me for my frank confidence in his good intentions, . ' "You are entitled,". said he, "to a full explanation of the strange circumstances under which we have met. Grant me your patience a 'while.- By the time I. have related. my. dreadful history, the Duke will probably be at liberty to receive you. . ' "I was born, sir, an 'inmate of . this chateau the youngest, .of three brothers: to the eldest of whom were apportioned the wealth and honors of the House of C. Nothing remained for me but the Wretched insignificance of eluirchmansbip. .1 was destined to become. an Abbe, 'dependent for preferment upon .mi

nisterial uat'ro'naire. ' But with the blood and nhinn of

my heroic ancestors,.'! inherited their lofty ambition! Glory was my idol,. Earnest purposes of shining in

the 'world already: fermented in my bosom. I was resolved to make myself heard of, or to be heard of no

more.' So absorbed was mv soul by this overpower

ing yearning after distinction, that the pleasures of life became indifferent.- I lived only in the future. The

present was comparatively of small account. "Yet such was the clash and brilliancy of contemporaneous celebrities, such an. influx of literary and military glory diffused its radiance on every side, that I attained my thirtieth year without accomplishing my end. I was still the obscure denizen of our family estates, totally eclipsed by the poets, statesmen, and warriors of the day. I was in despair. At certain moments of profound despondency, suicide presented itself as my sole refuge from my biiter consciousness of insignificance. The purport of my life seemed frustrated. To what end an existence so obscure, so colourless as mine. "I was alone in my family. My elder brothers were already distinguished in the world. My only confident at home was an old negro, attached from lime immemorial to the house of C. I say from time immemorial, advisedly; for so little was recollected cf his first connection with the family, that many people pretended he had been originally seen in this chateau: at the moment of the decease of Field-marshal Fabcrt." I could not altogether repress a start of surprise at this announcement. My companion inquired what was the matter, but it was not for me to refer to the singular intelligence I had received the preceding evening from my friends the cuirassiers. "One day," resumed he, "when more than usually overpowered by the dispiriting sens", of my own nothingness, I exclaimed aloud, 'I would sacrifice ten years of my life to accomplish a first-rate literary reputation!" "Ten years is a large amount to pay for such a trifle!' observed Iago, who happened to he in attendance upon me, smiling as he spoke, till his two glaring rows of white teetli became frightfully apparent. " 'Large, but not more than it is worth,' I persisted. 'I say again, that I would thankfully give ten years to become a popular author.' " 'Done!' replied the negro, w ith his wonted sang froid (!ur he was the coolest fellow I ever beheld ) 'I accept your ten years. In return, know that your wish is elready half accomplished.' "You may conjecture my astonishment at hearing him propose this singular engagement. But conceive my surprise when a few days afterwards, I learned by the post, that a work of mine transmitted to Paris the preceding year for publication, had actually been

crowned by the Academy! My pledge was scarcely given and I was already a person of note! "I flew to the capital, and was received on all sides with open arms. The most distinguished men of-the-day-werc proud to roakelrrf acriuatniahctC

Their praises, their examples, their counsels, encouraged my enthusiasm, as well as perfected my taste. Every successive work that emanated from my pen, was announced to be a chef de icu cre. . I had assumed a supposititious name, in order to distinguish'inyself from my brothers; and scarcely a newspaper in which it was not. twenty times repeated! My works were trim-dated into every European language. My books were in every hand. It was only yesterday, sir, that you yourself but no matter."' My feelings were, by this time, painfully excited. : Into whose presence had I thus singularly intruded! vlio was this, mysterious., stranger! Was it Diderot! Marmontel! D.'Alembert! Voltaire! I begin to regard my companion witha degree of respect, exceeding even my previous compassion. "To a spirit so ardently constituted as mine," resumed he, after a heavy sigh, "even this excess of library honor soon became insufficient for happiness. I said to myself after all, what, is there either manly, wlat is there enobling in all this waste of pens and inl! The occupation of the demigods, ere earth was peopled with mere mortals, was conquest. Military renown is the only glory worth achieving. - To be a great general, to become the leader of an army, were well worth the sacrifice of ten years of one's existence." " 'You continue to bid: high,' cried Iago, who was still in rni, service. 'But once more I accept your terms. 7V?i years and you shall become a hero!' " My countenance, I conclude, now began to evince tokens of incredulity; for the stranger suddenly exclaimed, "You do not .believe me! Would that I too could be incredulous! For I swear to you by all that is holiest, in the universe, from the moment when, on the faith of this, mysterious compact, I entered the army, I had (inly to plan expeditions, to have them crowned with success beyond my most, sanguine expectations. History is at hand to confirm my assev

erations. My name was again an assumed one; but there was no illusion . in the provinces it was my fate to attach to the .sovereignty of France; in the fortress which ceded to my besiegement., in the redoubts which I carried, in the b.inners whichT brought to the feet of my king. These, at. least, were real; and these still survive to attest all I have been!" The stranger was now pacing the room with impetuous footsteps; and as I contemplated his movements, I could not forbear exclaiming to myself, "Who on earth have I before me! Is it Coigny! is it Richelieu! or can it be Marshall Saxe in propria personal" . After striding backwards and forwards in silence for some moments, he suddenly threw himself anew into the seat by my side. "Iago assured me, during the intoxication of my military triumphs," he resumed, "that I should soon become. distrusted with. the . fickle breath of popular applause. 'Sooner or later,' pleaded the negro, 'you will begin to understand that nothing is really important that has not a real value. The positive, the tangible, is the one thing needful.'. And he was so far justified in his prognostications, that I actually made him a tender of five additional years, on condition of obtaining command over enormous riches." "And he fulfilled his part of the compact!" cried I, with a scarcely repressed smile of incredulity. "With gold, jewels, houses, lands, all, all that passed with mankind under the name of wealth did he endow me," cried my companion tlasping his hands with frantic emotion. "Nay, when I rose this very morning, all these were still my ' own. I was rich, I was"great, I was powerful! I said now to my soul, take thine ease! I was happy, I had no f,-ars no anxieties. If you doubt my word, inquire of Iago. Iago will be here presently and confirm all I have related.": I shuddered at these wild assertions, for there was something terribly real in the air of horror with which he rushed to a time piece on the chimney-piece, and anxiously ascertained the hour. . "This morning, when I opened my eyes," he continued, addresing.me in a portentious whisper, "I found myself so weak and dispirited, that I hastily summoned my valet de chambre to my assistance. Merciful Powers: -If. was Iago who appeared in his olace! My soul sank 'within me as he accosted me." "Yet his appearance, you say, was ever the precursor of triumph and good fortune," said I, desirous to tranquilize the agitation of the invalid. : "I asked him the cause of my sudden illness," continued he, I told him that only last night I retired to rest in perfect health! . " 'It is not sickness, in death!' replied the neoro, with his usual frightful grin, 'surely you are prepared!" "For death? at . Mr age!" cried I, gasping for breath. " 'It is not my fault if you have been too much absorbed in your personal vanities to take heed of the lapse of time,' replied the negro with a bitter sneer. 'Providence accorded you as the term of your natural life, exactly threescore years. You were thirty when we first entered into our engagements." "Iago," cried I, anticipating the horrible announcement that was to follow.

'And during the five ensuing years, he continued with his usual facetious smile, 'you expended in speculations an extra allowance of five and twenty. You have consequently lived out your sixty years. You will find me tolerably correct in my arithmetic; for know, that every moment abstracted from your life, is added to my own; and 7, at least, recognize the value of human existence!' "Such then was the motive of your pretended zeal!" cried I with indignation. "Greater men than yourself have shown themselves more grateful,' coolly rejoined the negro; 'Fabert, for instance, who was one of my proteges, paid me a somewhat higher price for his reputation.' "Iniquitous monster!" cried I, "You haveleceivcd me, defrauded me." "Nay, nay, you have only cheated yourself!' replied Iago. jCount upon your 'finders, nnd you will find rrm'exact in mv balance. Thirty-five yenrs of

real existence, and twenty-five expended in procuring

the means of distinction; total ot the whole, sixty! Admit that you hae lived your day. Prepare for im

mediate dissolution.'

"He was about to leave the room, when I rushed

towards him, and clung to his garments.

"Only one more day!" cried I; "only, only one!" " 'Not half a one, lie coolly replied. 'Reflect, that I am the l-'ser of every minute's grace you obtain! your time is over." "An hour a single hour!" I persisted feeling the powers of life weakening and weakening as I spoke " 'Hark ye!' cried the ncjrro, pretending to be softened bv my earnestness 'You have hitherto negoti

ated with me like a gentleman; and liberal treatment' is'dueyon in return. '-'.'What will you give for two hours of life you now 'appear to value so highly!' .. "Anything everything!" I excjairnqdifor.-alrcad'y

T felt my blood stagnating in my veins, and the dews of death rising on my forehead. "Willingly will I sacrifice all the fame I have achieved. Take my gold my lands. Life life! I only ask for the breath of life!" " 'You only ask for that of which you have been so prodigal!' cried the negro, witha horrible chuckle. But see how tender hearted I am growing. I accept your offer.. Live till evening! But remember you have ndlhitig further here or hereafter to offer as a bribe. At sunset, therefore, be prepared for the worst!' "So saying, he left mo!" continued the stranger wildly. "He left me and when we meet again, I must resign myself to death must Cease to enjoy the breath of spring the harmonies of nature the joys of life and love! Behold!" he continued, dragging" me to the window, and pointing to a group of ragged . . peasants traversing the parks "to-morrow, yonder people will he inhaling the pure breezes will be sunned under the glowing orb of Heaven while for me, all will be atari end! And to have sacrificed live and twenty years of such blessings such pure and deliclous enjoyments for the vain acquirement of an uncertain renown; to be praised by those I knew not, those whom I care not to know! Oh! what a price have I paid for that which is in itself valueless! : What prodigality! what waste! But why lose the few moments allotted mo in idle murmurs! Let mo rather enjoy, for the last lime, the glorious spectacle of Triumphant nature!" So saying he threw open the windows ri cning towards the park, and rushing forth, took - his way toV'ards the plantations. ..While watching his precipitate departure, I found myself touchnd upon the

shoulder; and, on turning round, found a grave middle red man. wearing the insignia of the St. Esprit, . standing beside me. I had no difficulty in recognising the Due de C.

"I have a. thousand apologies' to offer you, Mon

sieur le Chavalier," said he, "for the inadvertence of.

my servants iu leaving you exposed to an interview with my unfortunate brother; whose mental infirmi

ties arc the cause of his seclusion in this retired chateau, and of my annual visits to the place. It was

to consult a physician, celebrated for his skillful

treatment of lunatics, who is on a visit to this neighborhood, that I last night absented myself from home.

1 have now, however, the -.satisfaction ot bidding you welcome; and to-morrow we, will 'take our departure for Versailles. All that my'.friendship or recom

mendations can ensure towards the forwarding your advancement in life, depend upon! .The enthusiastic

ambition of military' distinction expressed in the let

ters 1 have had the pleasure ot receiving from you, excites my earnest - interest in your behalf. To such

views the times are highly favorable. Rapid ad

vancement awaiteth you. In the course often years, or so "

"Ten years, Monsieur le Due!" was my involun

tary ejaculation; "ten years substracted from the sum total of life! Pardon me! within these walls I

have received a lesson more valuable than even the

patronage you thus generously promise. To-morrow,

instead ot proceeding to Versailles, I retrace my steps homewards! Accept my grateful thanks my humble apologies. Fame has lost its charms in my estimation; since I have learned to recognize the value

of human life, and the cost of ambition!"

"This is my brother's doing!" cried the Duke, but more in sorrow than in anger. "The singular delu

sions of his monomania, have already mOrethan once ; sufficed to deter young aspirants of my acquaintance

from embracing a public career. But is it possible that you will allow the hallucinations of a lunatic in

fluence you in a step so momentous!"

" Wisdom is a thing of too precious a quality Mon

sieur le Doc," replied I, "to admit of our being over fastidious in examining its origin. All we have to do is, to accept such lessons, and be thankful." -

The Due de C. was perhaps not sorry to be thus

easily rid of one cf the numerous candidates for his interest at court, for after a night's hospitality, he suffered me to return home without further remonstrance. '

Happy journey auspicious return! I felt that I

could not travel too rapidly; for I was returning to the bosom of mv familly the arms of Henrietta.

The following May, I had nothing to dread from the

apparition of the black man. Already I was a contented country gentleman; a happy husband and father! The price of fame had inspired me with a due appreciation of the value of human life.

It will have been perceived by those who have read Mr. Stevens' most attractive volumes of travels in

Central America and we pity those who have not that he obtained information from a "Padre" or Roman Catholic Clergyman, which leads him to feel pretty certain that there is at this time existing in Vera Paz, a city deserted and desolate in a state of preservation much greater than tho ruined places which he actually visited, and almost as perfect as when its inhabitants left. He also obtained information from the same source of another city, now actually inhabited, South of Chiapas, which retains all its primitive en-

tirendss, and is still in the occupancy of the Indians;

who have never submitted to the white invaders of the

country, and which has never been controlled scarcely known, indeed by the Central American Government. Here then, is the field for exploration, and well may Mr. Stevens say that he who visits it, will "experience sensations which seldom fall to the lot of man." Mr. Stevens is just the one to do it; and we are very much deceived in the man if he does not undertake the journey before he is much older. The Government ought to give him a commission that will enable him to travel with official facilities all over the country. N. Y. Courier.

A MATRIMONIAL VILLAIN. The Springfield (111.) Journal cautions the public against a man calling himself A. D. Young, 2o or 30 years old, a cabinet-maker, who says be learned his-' trade in Buffalo, N. Y, who has just married three or more wives offhand; one in Ohio, the second in Indiana, where he ran away six months afterward, and the third near Springfield, Illinois, after having been engaged to and nearly marrying a girl at Danville in that State, before his character followed him there. He was married to his Illinois wife on the 13th of April, ran away from her on tbe 2d of May, and has probably another pretty well courted in Iowa by this time. We hate to say an ill-natured thing still more, an ungallant one but if y.oung women will marry the first good-looking stranger w ho asks them, must they not expect that villians w ill make a business of deceiving and marrying them!