yi
"WE OO WHERE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES POINT THE WAY WHEN THEY CEASE TO LEAD, WE CEASE TO FOLLOW.'
BY JOHN G. GIVEN.
EBENSBURG, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1819.
VOL. 0. NO. G.
iff
si
II J 1 II II
w 1 11 I I
V Heart! acd Homes.
Hearts and Horn eg, sweet words of pleasure,
Muiic breathing; as thej fall,
Making eacb the othor's treasure,
Once divided losing all;
Homes, jo rcay bo high or Iowlf.
Hearts alone can make you holj,
D the dwelling e'er so small,
'- flaring1 Lore it boaatsth all.
Hearts and homes, sweet words of pleasure,
Mcsic breathing as ye fall.
Making each the other's treasure,
Once divided losing nil.
Hearts and Homes, Hearts and Homes!
MXSOIILLANSOUS
THE M1RRUGE CRUCIBLE.
A Tbilling Talc of High and Low Life.
I was born in one of those little hamlets
situated in lha neighborhood of Montel
raart in the south of France. My father
had made many a fruitless effort to raise
himself above indigence. His last resource
in his old age arose from the execises of a
talent which he had acquired in hi3 youth
that of bellows mending. This, too, was
the humble profession which I was des
tined to follow, Beingendowed by nature
with quick and lively faculties, both of
mind and body, I soon grew skilful in my
trade, and having'an ambitious spirit, set off
for Lyons, to prosecute my calling there.
1 was so far successful, that I became a
great favorite with the chamber-maids,
who were my chief employers, and whom
my good looks and youth interested in my
favor.
One evening, however, as I was return
ing home after my day's round, I was ac
costed by four well dressed young men,
who threw out a few pleasantries on my
profession which I answered in a style of
good humored railery that seemed to sur
prise and please them. I saw them look
significantly at one another, and heard one
of them say this is our man.' The words
alarmed me, but my fears were speedily
dispelled. 'Rouperon,' said one you shall
sup with us. We have a scheme which
may do you good. If you do not agree
to it, we shall not harm you, but only ask
you to keep our secret. Do not be afraid
but come with us.' Seeing all of them to
be gentlemen in appearance, I did not hes
itats to accept the offer. They conducted
me through a number of cross streets, and
at last entered a handsome house, in an
apartment of which we found six other j
young men, who nppeared to have been
waiting impatiently for my conductors.
A few explanatory words passed respect
ing me, and soon afterwards we sat down
to supper. Being young, thoughtless ana .
light-hearted, 1 gave away to the employ-!
ment of the houT, and vented a succession
of pleasantries which seemed highly to
please my chance companions. But they
all grew silent and thoughtful ere long, and
finally one of them addressed me thus:
'The ten persons whom you see before
you, are all engravers and citizens of Ly
ons. We are all in good circumstances,
and make a very handsome living by our j
occupation. We are all attacneu 10 one
another and formed a happy society, till
love stepped in to disturb us. In the street
of St. Dominic there lives a picture mer
chant, a man of respectable station, but oth
erwise an ordinary personage. He has,
however 2 daughter, a creature possessed
of. every accomplishment, and endowed
with every grace, but all those amiable
qualities are shaded by one defect--pride.
As an example of the way in which this
feeling has led her ro treat others, I will
own that I myself paid my addresses to
her, and was approved by her father, as
one by birth and circumstances much their
superior.; But what was the answer which
the insolent girl gave to my suit? 'Do you
think sir, that a young woman like me,
was born for nothing better than to be the
wife of an engraver.
'Her great charms and her pride have
been equally felt by us all, continued the
speaker, ahd we would hold that she has
cast a slur on us and our profession. We
therefore have resolved to show this dis
dainful girl that she has not indeed been
born to the honor of being the wife of an
engraver. Now, will you (addressing me)
venture to become the husband of a charm
ing woman, who to attain perfection wants
only to have pride mortified and her vani
t ty punished?'
Yes,' answered I, spurred on by the
excitement of the moment; I comprehend
what you would have me to do, and 1
will fulfil it in such manner that you
shall have no reason to blush for your
' rupd-'
The three months that followed this
strange scene were wholly occupied with
preparations for the part I was to perform.
Preserving the strictest possible secrecy,
my confederates did their best to tranform
rae from a plain bellows mender into a fine
ca:leman. Bathing, hair-dressing, Sec.,
i
brought my person to a fitting degree of
refinement, while every day or two one of
the engravers devoted himself to the task
of teaching me music, drawing and other
accomplishments; and nature had furnish
ed me with a disposition to study, and a
memory so retentive that my friends were
astonished at the progress of their disciple.
Thoughtless of all else, I felt the deepest
delight in acquiring these new rudiments
of education. But the time came when I
was to be made sensible, for the first time
of the true nature of the task I had entered
upon.- The confederate at length thought
me perfect and in the character of the rich
Marquis of Rouperon, proprietor of large
estates in Dauphiny, I was installed in the
firs: hotel in Lyons. It was under this
title that I presented myself to the picture
dealer in St. Dominic street. I made a
few purchases from him, and seemed anx
ious to purchase more. After a little in
tercourse of this kind, he sent me word
one morning, that he had received a superb j
collection of engravings from Rome and j
begged me to call and see them. I did so,
and was not received by him but by Au- j
rora. This was the first sight I got of i
the lovely girl, and for the first time in my J
life, my young and palpitating heart felt ,
the power of beauty. A new world un-
folded itself before my eyes: I soon forgot !
my borrowed part; onesentimentabsorbed j
my soul, one idea enchained my faculties, j
The fair Aurora perceived her triumph, j
and seemed to listen with complacency to j
the incoheient expressions ot passion
which escaped my lips. The interview j
fixed ray destiny forever! The intoxica-i
tion of enjoying her presence hurried me
on, blind to everything else. For several !
months I saw her every day and enjoyed
a state of happinesss only damped by the
self-accusing torments of solitary hours,
and by the necessity I was under of regu
larly meeting my employers, who furnish
ed me with money, jewels and everything
I could require. At length Aurora's father
gave a little fete in the country, of which j
I was evidently the hero. A moment
occurred, in which, thoughtless of all but
my love, I threw my self a suiter at her
feet. She heard me with modest dignity,
while a tear of joy, which dimmed for a
moment her fine eyes, convinced me that
pride was not the only emotion which ag
itated her heart, yes, I discovered that I was
beloved! .
I was an importer, but heaven is my
witness 1 deceived her not without remorse.
In her presence I remembered nothinsr but
herself; but in the stillness ot solitude,
sophistry and passion disappeared, leaving j
i.. f r nri IV
r - - - ... . . i
a ureadlul perspective Deiore me. v neni
associated the idea of Aurora with the mis
erable fate -which was soon fall upon her
delicate hands, employed in preparing the
coarsest nourishment, I shrunk back with
horror, or started up covered with a cold
perspiration, liut sen love wouia come
to mv aid, and I thought if she truly loved
me she yet might be happy! I would de
vote my life, 1 swore to the tasic ot strew
ing flowers along her path. But all my
hopes, all my fears cannot be told. Suffice
it to say, that her father believed me wnen
represented my estates as being in
Daunhinv. a distant province. I would
not allow a farthing of Aurora's portion to
be settled otherwise than to herself. So
there was one baseness of which I was not
guilty.
We were married. At the altar, a shiv
ering ran through my veins, a general trep
idation seized my whole frame, and I
should infallibly have sunk to the earth in
a flood of tears had not some one come to
ray rescue. The silly crowd around mis
took the last cry of expiring virtue for an
excess of sensibility.
h. fortnight after the marriage, as had
been arranged by my employers, at whose
mercy I was, we started for Montelmart,
my unfortunate bride believing that we
were going to a far distant place. Several
of the engravers were themselves jour at
tendants, disguised and acting as courtiers
to our magnificent equipage. The awful
moment of exposure arrived; and when it
did come, it proved more terrible than ever
I had anticipated. The engravers made
the carriage be drawn up before a mean
and miserable cottage, at the door which
set my humble but venerable father. Now
came the awful disclosure. The poor, de
ceived, and surprised Aurora was handed
out. The engravers came up; they pulled
off their disguises; and he whom Aurora
had so pointedly refused, exclaimed to
hen
'No, madam, no, you have not been born
or brought up for an engraver, such a lot
would have done too much honor to you.
A, bellows mender is worthy of you and
such is he whom you have made your hus
band!' Trembling and boiling with rage,
I would have replied, but the engravers
entered the coach, and like the shifting of
a scene in the theatre, all our grandeur
disappeared with them!
Poor Aurora scarcely heard what had
been said. The truth had flashed upon her
and she sank back in a swoon. Recolleci
that I had now acquired a considerable
share of sensibility and delicacy from my
late life. At that cruel moment I trembled
alike at the thought of losing the woman
I adored, and of seeing her restored to life.
I lavished on her the most tender cares,
yet almost wished that those cares mirht
prove unavailing. She racovered at length
her senses, but the moment her frenzied
eye met mine, 'Monster!' she exclaimed,
and was again insensible. I profitted by
her condition to remove her from the sight
of those who had gathered around, and to
place her on an humble straw couch.
Here I remained beside her till she opened
her eyes; mine shrunk from her glance.
The first use she made of her speech was
to interrupt the broken exclamations of
love, shame and remorse, which fell from
my lips, and beg to be left alone for a time.
The niece of the curate of the parish how
ever, who chanced to be by, remained be
side her and the poor young victim of my
villainly. for she was but eighteen,"seemed
glad of her attentions.
How shall I describe the horrible night
which I then passed? It was not on my
own account that I suffered or feared.
She alone was on my thoughts. I dreaded
above all, for my love was still predomi
nate, to see that heart alienatod whose
tenderness was necessary to my existence,
to read coldness on that eye on whose look
my peace depended. But could it be oth
erwise? Had I not basely, vilely darken
ed all the prospects of her life, and over
whelmed her with intolerable shame and
anguish? That night was a punishment
which would almost have wiped out any
lesser sin. Frequently it may be believed
I sent to know how Aurora was. She
was calm, they told me; and indeed, to my
surprise she entered in the morning the
room where I was. She was pale, but,
collected. I fell before her on the ground ;
and spoke not. 'You have deceived me,'
said she, it is on your future.conduct that j
my forgiveness must depend. Do not take
the advantage of the power you have
usurped. The niece of the curate has
offered me an asylum. There I will re
main till this matter -can be thought of
calmly,
Alas! there were soothing but deceitful
words! Within a day or two. after the
event, the interval of which I spent in
forming wild hopes for the future, I recei
ved at once two letters. The first was from
the engravers, the cause of my exultation
and my fall. They wrote to me that my
aquaintance had begot in them a friendship
for me; that they had eacli originally sub
scribed a certain sum for the execution of
their plot; and that they would supply me
with money and everything necessary for
entering into some business, and ensuring
the credible support of myself and Aurora.
The other letter was from Aurora 'Some
jemains of pity, she said 'which I feel for
you, notwithstandingyour conduct, induce
me to inform you that I am in Lyons. It
is my intention to enter a convent, which
will rid me of your presence; but you will
do well to hold yourself in readiness to
appear before every tribual in France, till
I have found one which will do me justice,
and break the chain in which you have
bound your victim.
This letter threw me into despair. I
hurried to the curate's but could hear noth
ing of Aurora's retreat, although I became
assured that the curate and his neice, aes
pising my condition, had been urgent ad
visers of the step Aurora had taken. I
now hastened to Lyons where the affair
had now created a great sensation. I
lived unknown, however, and obscure,
and saw only the engravers; who, notwith
standing the base plot which they had
through me effected, were men of not un
generous dispositions. As they had driv
en me out of my former means of liveli
hood, 1 considered myself at liberty to
accept a sum which they offered me to
enter into trade with. They told me how
to dispose of it at once, and I laid it out in
a way which speedily and without trouble
to me augmented it greatly. Meanwhile,
the father of Aurora had made every pre
paration for annulling the marriage. This
could only be done by publicly detailing
the treachery which had beCn practised.
Never, perhaps, was a courthouse more
crowded than that of Lyons on the dayr on
which the case was heard. Aurora her
self appeared and rivited the eyes of all
present, not to speak of my own. Un
known and unseen, I shrunk into a comer
like a guilty thing. The counsel for Au
rora stated the case, and plead the ictim's
cause with as much eloquence as to draw
tears from many eyes. No counsel arose
for me, and Aurora, .who merely sought a
divorce without desiring to iuflict that pun
ishment she might easily have brought
down on the offenders, would have at once
gained the suit, had not one arisen for me.
It was one of the engravers, the one who
had been refused, as mentioned by Auro
ra. He made a brief pleading for me, ho
praised my character, he showed and con
fessed how I had been tempted, and how
I fell. At last he concluded by addressing
Aurora. 'Yes, madam, said he, 'the laws
may declare that you are not his wife, but
you have been the wife of his bosom! The
contract may be annulled, and no stain
may rest upon you. But a stain may be
cast upon another. Can you, will you
throw the blot of illigitimacy upon one
even more innocent than yourself! The
appeal was understood and was not made
in vain. The trembling Aurora exclaimed,
'No, no!' and the tears fell fast as she
spoke.
The marriage was not annulled was no
longer songht to be annulled. But while
the contract which I had signed with my
own name, believed by - them to be the
family name of the Marquis de Rouperon)
was declared valid, and it was also deter
mined that Aurora should remain unmo
lested by the adventurer who had so far
deceived her. Every legal precaution
was taken that I should have no control
over her or her affairs. After this event
I did not remain long in Lyons, where I
heard my name everywhere branded with
infamy. Master, by the means I have re
lated, of a considerable sum, I went to
Paris, where I assumed a foreign name, I
entered into business, and, more to drown
remembrance than from any other cause,
pursued it with an ardor which few have
evinced in the like circumstances. The
widest speculations were those that attract
ed me most, and fortune favored me in a
most remarkable way. I became the head
of a flourishing commercial house, and ere
five years hadpassed away, had amassed
considerable wealth. At times, however,
the remembrance of my wife threw me j
into fits of anguish and despair. I dared !
not think, nevertheless, of attempting to go j
near her, until it chanced that I had it in
my power materially to serve a banker in
Lyons, who pressed me much to pay him ;
a visit. . Alter mucn uneasiness anu anx
iety, I resolved to accept the invitation.
Once more I entered Lyons, and on this
occasion with an equipage which was not
borrowed, though as handsome as my for
mer one. My friend the banker, on. being
questioned, told me that Aurora still lived
in the convent, and was admired for her
propriety of conduct, and for her unre
mitting, .attention to her child, her
boy; but he told me her father had just
died, leaving her almost dependent upon
the charity of the abbess. This recital
excited me in the most lively emotions. I
took an opportunity' afterwards of visiting
one of the engravers, who scarcely knew
me, changed as I was, but who received
me warmly. I requested him to assemble
the creditors of the father of Aurora, and to
pay his debts, giving him funds for that
purpose. I told him to purchase some
pieces of furniture which I knew to be
highly prized by Aurora.
Every hour of my stay in Lyons
strengthened my desire to see my wife,
and at least to fold my boy in my arms.
The feeling became at length irresistable,
and I revealed myself to the banker, be
seeching him to find some way of taking
me to the convent. His astonishment to
find in me the much spoken of bcllows
mender, was beyond description. Hap
pily, however, he was acquainted with the
abbess, and assured me that it was easy at
least to obtain a sight of my wife. Ere
an hour passed away my friend had taken
me there. I was introduced as a Parisian
merchant, and beheld with emotions un
speakable, my wife seated in the convent
parlor, with a lovely child asleep upon her
knee, in conversation with her venerable
friend. Aurora, now twenty-three years
of age, seemed to me more lovely than
ever. I had purposely wrapped myself
closely up, and she knew me not, though
I perceived an involuntary start when she
first saw me, as if my presence reminded
her of some once familliar object. I could
not speak; my friend maintained all the
conversation. But the boy awoke. He
saw strangers present, and descended from
his mother's knee. Looking at myself
and my friend for a moment, he camo for
ward to me. Oh! what were my feelings
when I found myself covered with the
sweet caresses, the innocent kisses of my
child! An emotion which I had no power
to subdue, made me rise hastily, and throw
myself with my child in my arms at the
feet of my pale and trembling wife. 'Au
rora! Auiora!' I exclaimed in broken ac
cents, 'your child claims from you a la
ther! Oh, pardon!' The child clasped
her knees and seemed to plead with me.
Aurora 'seemed ready to faint. Her lips
quivered and her eyes was fixed as if in
stupor upon mc; a flow of tears came to
her relief, and she answered my appeal by
throwing herself into my arms. '1 know
not,' she sobbed, 'whether you again de
ceive mfi, but your child pleads too pow
erfully! Aurora is yours!
This event closes my history. I found
Aurora much improved by adversity, and
have tasted a degree of happiness with her
such as no penitence for the past could
ever make me deserving of. One only
incident in my history after my reconcili
ation with Aurora seems to be worthy of
attention. I took my son and her with
me to Paris, but at tne same time, seeing
it to be my wife's wish, bought a small
country house for her near Lyons. Some
times we spent a few weeks there, and on
one occasion she invited me to go down
with her to be present at a fete for which
she had made preparations. Who were
our guests? The ten engravers, who were
the original cause of all that passed! It
was indeed a day of pride to me, when I
heard Aurora thank them for the happiness
which, under the agency of a wonder-working
Providence, they had been the means
of Conferring on her.
A Core for Sparking.
Some months since, a joyous, coura
geous young woman, residing in this city,
the daughter of highly respectable parents
found herself somewhat intentionally de
tained at the house, one evening; and be
fore she was aware of the fact, scarcely,
night had set in. The distance to her own
home was but a few blocks, however, and
as she expected a little gathering of ladies
and gentlemen that evening at he father's,
she determined upon returning homeward
unattended; and bidding her friends good
night she hurried along upon the walk, to
wards her residence, into which her fami
ly had quite recently removed, from ano'h
er part of the city.
Upon turning the first corner, she was
suddenly startled by the approach of a well
dressed young man, who accosted her with
a 'good evening,' and offered his services
to escort her home! Alarmed, for an in-
stant she would have avoided the stranger;
but as he 'advanced to her side, she ven-
lured to turn towards him, and a glance
satisfied her she recognized the young
gentleman, as a familiar acquaintance.
Disguising her voice, and replying in a
timid tone, she accepted the profiered gal-
lantry, determined at once to administer a
lesson toner vounr menu, wnicnne snouiu
not forget. The conversation which pass
ed was brief, and the beau suspecting
nothing as he was aware that ;he familv
had changed their quarters, tripped along
at the voun? ladv's side, - apparently very i
well pleased with his companion. In a J.
few minutes, they halted before a modest
brick house, in a somewhat retired street, 1
at the west end, and the lady relinquished j
her attendant's arm.
. 'Will you come in?' whispered the lady
softly.
'Thank you,' was the reply; and his fair
companion opened the frort door. Clos
ing it carefully they found themselves in
me emry in loiai uarKuess.
Y ait a moment, said the young wo
man, and be perfectly quiet. I will ie-
turn instantly;' and with these words she
ascended the stairs which led to the par-
lors.
The first thought of the young man, as
she retired, was to open the frontdoor and
move; for he suspected ail was not as he
at first anticipated. He turned to the door
it was fast. He fumbled for the latch, or
lock, or whatever secured it was not to be J
found; and an instant afterward, he heard
footsteps appoaching in the darkness. His
heart thumped against his ribs, and he be
gan to wish himself safely out of doors
again; but he was quickly reassured by the
encouraging whisper of the new made ac
quiantance, who approached him, appa
rently with great caution.
'Hush!' she said, 'ail is safe. Be qui
et now, a moment remove vour boots
from your feet I will return in an in
stant.
Our hero was content; and drawing off
his boots, he secured them together, and
held them in his hand, to await the return
of his lady friend, who again ascended the
front stairs.
Entering the parlor a moment after
wards, the female rogue found some half
a score of young lady friends with thoir
bvpthersand beaux present to whom she
quickly and briefly communicated the ad
venture. 1 have got him in the entry down
stairs,' she said. 'Put out the lights.keep
perfectly still, don't betray the slightest
sound.and I will show you some sprrt in
a moment.'
The lights were removed, the party
arranged themselves around the room
the bu.lk of the party knew the victim
intimately and again the lady descen
ded the stairs, and approached her
friend.
Softly, now, she said, taking the baud
which 'was unoccupied with the boots,
softly. All is quiet up stairs all is ar
ranged come!' and she led her gallant
shyly along up the stairway. His boots
dangled .against the railing hush!' ex
claimed the fair "One; 'for pity's sake make
no noise or all is loat!'
The beau moved on, grasped his bcts
more securely at his side, nor dreamed of
aucht save bliss! Lcatt of all did he sus-
pect the existence of a huge rent in his
stockings but he was a bachelor, and
this was but a trifle!
They entered the parlor. All was
darkness and silence. The lady closed
the door behind them, and led her com
panion into the centre of the room. Not
a bieath was heard, and little did the gen.
tleman suspect that he wax at that mo
ment surrounded by a dozen of his ac
quaintances. 'Remain here one moment, said the
girl, 'I will get a light '
The gallant raised the soft hand which
had conducted him thus far towards he
knew net what! and ventured to press
upon it a kiss; but it was dexteriously
withdrawn, at the V6ry 'nick of time. and
his lips came in contact with his own fin
gers Wait a moment, added his inamorata,
leaving him quickly and, then, passing
through a door at the farther extremity
of the room, she disappeared. A minute
had scarcely elapsed, but it seemed a
month to the little party, who were nearly
choking with suppressed merriment it
was an age to the victim. But gentle
footsteps were heard again: he gazed
anxiously towards the direction of the door
it opened with a single movement, a b'aie
of lightgushed into the parlor,and behind
it ho beheld the face of an old familiar ac
quaintance! Ladies and gentlemen, she said, 'thit
is Mr. Smithr
Such a lha, ha!' as went up from that
little coterie, at that mo.nent, was seldom
heard in the neighborhood before or since!
Poor Smith stood for a moment, not ex
actly paralyzed that would bo a feint
term oi expression; he was frozen ac-
tually stctiie-'ized, in his tracks, and he
hugged his boots to his side, coughed
j sneezed, choked then grinned a ghastly
'smile!
As soon as the proxysrn of laughter
Was over, the lady brought forward h
! chair, and placing it before the victim.
saia
Pray be seated Mr. Smith. '
He turned upon his tormentor a look cf
comical recognition, and, like Fa'staff.
his wits coming quickly to his relief, r.e
replied:
'Did you think, Cally, did'nt know
you?'
Another roar followed this remark, and
the company was very soon upon good
terms.
I This was his first and last effort nlpictc
j ing up an acquaintance; and it proved a,
cure lor 'sparking with him. Within
six months he made ample apology for his
error, by makinsr Miss Cally Mrs. Smith
-L lu& Lj uur utitui.
Conjitgation and Agreement. Iu a
lesson in parsing tho sentence, "Man
courting in capacity of bliss," &c, the
word "courting, comes to a pert young
miss of fourteen to parse. She commen
ces hesitatingly, got along well enough
until she was to tell what it agreed with.
Here she stopped short. But the teacher
syid
Very well, what docs courting agree
with?
Ellen blushed and held down her head.
'Ellen, don't you know what it agrees
with?"
Ye ye yes, sii!1
Wei!, Ellen, whv doii't vcu parse that
V m SH
word? What does it agree with?
Blushing still tno.e and stairmcring,
Ellen says
'It a - agrees wilhali the girls sii!'
Editor?. A cotenjporary very truly
remarks that an editor's duties, e;en in a
case comparatively unimportant, are enor
mous and unthankful. Those he praises
"love him less than their dinner, and these
he finds fault with hate him worse than
the devil." f he steps out manfully, he
can scarcely avoid treading new and then
on somebody's toes, who will make a point
of never forgetting it: while those on whom
he may bestow commendation (even if
nothing more substantial,) during his
journey, wili quietly place it all to the
account of their own merits.
I iike to see young women peep thiuugH
the windows, or the cracks of half open
doors, to catch a glimpse of the young men.
and when they come in their presence ap
pear over modest it is so admirable.
One of the Holes. Oat west there ha
long been known, on a -certain hill side, a
larc hole, which is not au uncommon
thin- in that section of country. The bank
is said to have recently caved off. nnd left
the hole sticking out about ten feet:
2n Insinuation. 'Mister, I don't fay
that you stole my watch, but if I had heard
any other watch tick like that which you
carry in your pocket, I should have said
that'it ticked just like minr .