The mountain sentinel. (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, December 06, 1849, Image 1

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'WE CO WHERE I7E:.I0CHATIC miNCiri.ES TOW.T THE WAY; WHEN THEY CEASE TP LEAD, WE CEACE TO FOLLOW."
BY JOHN G. GIVEN.
EBENSBUXiG, THURSDAY, DECEfsIBElX G, 1049.
VOL. G. NO. 0.
X III III
i
MISOELLANEOUS
THE GENTLE WARWINQ.
BY ANNA. WILMOT.
Do not accept the offer, Florence said
her friend Carlotti.
A shade of disappointment wentover the
face of the fair girl, who had just commu
nicated the pleasing fact that she had re
ceived an offer of marriage.
You cannot be happy as the wife of
Herman Leland,' added Carlotti.
How little, do you know this heart,
returned the fond girl.
It is because I know it so well that I
say what I do. If your love be poured out
for Herman Leland , Florence, it will be
as water on the desert sand.'
Why do you affirm this, Carlotti?'
A woman can truly love only the moral
virtue of her husband.'
I don't clearly understand you.'
It is only genuine goodness of heart
that conjoins in marriage.'
Well?'
Just so far as selfish and evil affections
find a place in the mind of either the hus
band or wife, will be the ratio of unhappi
ness in the marriage state. If there be
any truth in morals, or in the doctrine of
affinities, be assured that this is so. It is
neither intellectual attainments, noi per
sonal attractions, that make happiness in
marriage. Far, very far from it. Ail
depends upon the quality of affections.
II these be good, happiness will come as
a natural consequence; but if they be evil
misery will inevitably follow so close a
union.
Then you affirm that Mr. Leland is an
evil-minded man.
Neither of us know him well enough to
say this positively, Florence. Judging
from what little have seen. I should call
him a selfish man; and no selfish man can
be a good man; for selfishness is the basis
of all evil.
I am afraid you are prejudiced against
him Carloni.
If I have had any prejudices in the
matter, Florence, they have been in his
favfs Well educated, refined in his
manners, and variously accomplished, he
creates, on nearly all minds, a favorable
impression. But the closer I draw near
to him, the less satisfied did I feel with
my first judgment. On at least two occa
sions, I have heard him speak lightly of
religion.
Of mere cant and sectarianism, per
haps. No; he once spoke lightly of a mother
for making it a point to require all her
children to repeat their prayers before go
ing to bed. On another occasion he allu
ded to one of the sacraments of the church
in a way that produced an inward shudder.
From that time, I have looked at him with
eyes from which the scales have been re
moved; and the more I seek to penetrate
beneath the surface of his character, the
more do I see that repels me. Florence,
dear, let me urge you as one who tenderly
loves you, and earncsdy desires to see you
happy, to weigh the matter well ere you
assent to his proposal.
I'm afraid, Carllotti, said Florence, in
reply to this, 'that you have let small cau
ses influence your feelings towards Mr.
Leland. We all speak lightly at times,
even on subjects regarded as sacred; not
because we despise them, but from casual
thoughtlessness. It was, no doubt, so
with Mr. Leland on the occasions to which
you refer.'
We are rarefy mistaken, Florence,
replied Carlotti, as to the real sentiment
involved m the words used by those with
whom we converse. Words are the ex
pressions of thought, and these the form
of affections. What a man really feels in
reference to any subject, will generally
appear in the tones of his voice, no matter
whether he speaK ngnuy or seriousiy.
Depend upon it, this is so. It was the
manner in which Leland spoke that satis
fied me as to his real feelings, more than
the language he used. Judging him in
this way, I am well convinced that, in his
heart, he despises religion; and no man
who does this, can possibly make a right
minded woman happy.'
What answer can I make?' said she,
with a sigh. IIe urges an early res
ponse to his suit.'
Duty to yourself, demands a time for
consideration. Marriage is a thing of too
vital moment to be'decided upon hurriedly.
Say to him, in reply, that his offer is un
expected, and that you cannot give an im
mediate answer, but will do so at the ear
liest possible moment.'
So cold a response may offend him:'
If it does, then he will exhibit a weak
ness of character unfitting him to become
the husband of a sensible woman. If he
be really attracted by your good qualities,
he will esteem you the more for this act of
prudence. He will understend that you
set a high regard upon the marriage rela
tion, and not mean to enter into it unless
you know well the person to whom you
commit your happiness in this world, and
in all probability, the next.'
A coldly calculating spirit, Carlotti that
nicely weighs and balances the merits and
defects of one beloved, is, in my view,
hardly consonant with true happinsss in
marriage. All have defects of character.
All are born with evil inclinations of one
kindjor another. Love seeks only for
good in the object of affection. Affini
ties of this kind are all most spontaneous
in their birth. We love more from im
pulse than from any clear appreciation of
character perceiving good qualities by a
kind of instinct, rather than searching for
them.'
A doctrine, Florence,' said Carlotti,
that has produced untold misery in the
married life. As I said at first, it is only
the moral virtue of her husband that a wo
man can love it is only this", as a uniting
principle, that can make two married part
ners one. The qualities of all minds ex
press themselves in words and actions, and
by a close observance to these latter, we
may determine the nature of the former.
AVe cannot perceive them with sufficient
clearness to arrive at a sound judgment;
the only safe method is to determine the
character of the tree by its fruits. Take
sufficient time to arrive at a knowledge of
Mr. Leland's character by observation,
and then you can accept or reject him'un
der the fullest assurance that you are act
ing wisely.'
Perhaps you are right, murmured Flo
rence. 41 will weigh carefully what you
have said.
And she did so. Much to the disap
pointment of Mr. Leland, he received are
ply from Florence, asking a short time for
reflection.
When Florence next met the young man !
there was, as a natural consequence, some
slight embarrassment on both sides. On
separating, Florence experienced a certain
unfavorable impression towards him; al
though she could not trace it to anything
he had said or done. At their next meet
ing Leland's reserve had disappeared; and
he exhibited a better flow of spirits. He
was more off his guard than usual, and
said a good many things that rather sur
prised Florence.
Impatient of delay, Leland again pressed
his suit; but Florence was farther than ev
er from being ready to give an answer.
Her request to be allowed further time for
consideration wounded his pride; and ac
ting under its influence, he determined to
have revenge on her by suing for the hand
of anothor maiden, and bearing her to the
altar while she was hesitating over the of
fer he had made. With this purpose in
view, he penned a kind and polite note,
approving her deliberation, and desiring
her to take the fullest time for reflection.
Marriage, said he, in this note, is too
serious a matter to be decided upon
hastily. It is a lue union and the par
ties who make it should be well satisfied
that there exists a mutual fitness for each
other.
Two days after Florence received this
note, before seeing her friend Carlotti.
She then called upon her in order to have
further conversatiion on the subject of the
proposal she had received. The tenor of
this note had produced a favorable change
in her feelings, and she felt strongly dis
posed to make a speedy termination of the
debate in her mind, by accepting her at
tractive suitor.
Are you not well?' was her first re
mark on seeing Carlotti; for her friend
looked pale and troubled.
Not very well, dear, replied Carlotti,
making an effort to assume a cheerful as
pect. The mind of Florence was too intent
on the one interesting subject that occu
pied it, to linger long on any other theme.
But a short time elapsed before she said,
with a warmer glow of cheeks:
I believe I have made up my mind,
Carlotti.
About what?'
The offer of Mr. Leland. -Well,
what is your decision?' Carlotti
held her breath for an answer.
1 will accept him.
Without replying, Carlotti arose, and
going to a drawer, took therefrom a letter
addressed to herself, and handing it to
Florence, said
Read that.
There was something omnious in the
manner of Carlotti, which caused Florence
to become agitated. Her hands trembled
as she unfolded the letter. It bore the
date of the day previous, and read thus:
My Dear Carlotti: From the first
moment I saw you, I felt that you were
the one destined to make me happy or
miserable. Your image has been present
to me, sleeping or waking, ever since. I
can turn in no way that it is not before me.
The oftener I have met you, the more
have I been charmed by the gentleness,
the sweetness, the purity and excellence
of your character. With you to walk
through life by my side, I feel that my
feet would tread a flowery way; but if
heaven have not this blessing in store for
me, 1 shall be, of all men, most miserable.
My heart is too full to write more. And
have I not said enough? Love speaks in
brief but eloquent language. Dear young
lady, let me hear from you speedily. I
shall be wretched until I know your deci
sion. Heaven give my suit a favorable
issue!
Yours, devotedly,
Herman Leland.
A deadly paleness overspread the coun
tenance of Florence as the letter dropped
from her hands, and she leaned back
against her friend to prevent falling to the
floor. But, in a little while, she recovered
herself.
And this to you?1 said she, with a
quivering lip, as she gazed earnestly into
the face of her friend.
Yes, Florence, that to
'Can I trust my own censes? Is there
not some illusion? Let me look at it
again.
And Florence stooped for the letter,
and fixed her eyes upon it once more.
The language was plain, and the hand
writing she knew too well.
False-hearted!' she murmured, in alow
and mournful voice, covering her face and
sobbing.
Yes, Florence,' said her friend, 'he is
false-hearted. How thankful am I that
you have escaped! Evidently, in revenge
for your prudent deliberation, he has
sought an alliance with another. Had
that other one accepted his heartless pro
posal, he would have met your favorable
answer to his suit with insult.'
For a long time, Florence wept on the
bosom of her friend. Then her feelings
grew calmer, and her mind became clear.
What an escape!' fell from her lips, as
she raised her head and turned her still
pale face towards Carlotti. Thanks, ray
wiser friend, for your timely, yet gentle
warning. Your eyes saw deeper than
mine.'
Yes yes, you have made an escape!'
said Carlotti. With such a man, your
life could only have been wretched.'
Have you answered his letter?' asked
Florence.
Not yet. But, if you are inclined to
do so, we will, on the same sheet cf paper,
and under the came envelope, each de
cline the honor of an alliance. Such a
rebuke he deserves, and we ought to give
it.'
And such a rebuke they gave.
A few month's after, and Leland led to
the altar a young lady reputed to be an
heiress.
A year afterwards, just on the eve of
Florence's marriage to a gentlemen in
every way worthy to take her happiness
in his keeping, she sat alone with her fast
friend Carlotti. They were conversing of
the bright future.
And for all this joy for me, Carlotti,'
said Florence, leaning towards her friend
and laying her hand affectionately on her
cheek, 'I am indebted to you.
To me? How to me, dear? asked
Carlotti.
You saved me from an alliance with
Leland. Oh, into what an abyss of
wretchedness would I have fallen! I
heard to day that, after abusing poor Ag
nes in Charlestown, where they removed,
he finally abandoned her. Can it be
true?'
It is, I believe, too true. Agnes came
back to her friends last week, bringing
with her a babe. I have not seen her;
but those who have, tell me that her story
of suffering makes the heart ache. She
looks ten years older.'
Ah me!' sighed Florence. Marriage
how much it involves! Even now, as
I stand at its threshold, with so much that
looks bright in the future, I tremble. Of
Edward's excellent character and good
ness of heart, all bear testimony, lie is
everything I could wish; but will I make
him happy?'
For all you could wish, said Carlotti,
seriously. None are perfection here,
and you must not expect this. You will
find, in your husband's character, faults;
Anticipate this; but let the anticipation
prepare you to bear with, rather than be.
hurt when they appear; and do not seek
too soon to correct them. It is said, by
a certain deeply seeing writer on spiritual
themes, that when the angels come to try
one, they explore his mind only to find
the good therein, that they may excite it
to activity. Be, then, your husband's
angel; explore his mind for the good it
contains, and seek to develope and strength
en it. Looking intendy at what is good
in him, you will not be likely to see faults
looming up and assuming a magnitude be
yond their real dimensions. But when
faults appear, as they assuredly will, com
pare them with your own, and, as you
would have him exercise forbearance
towards you, do you exercise forbearance
towards him. Be wise in your love, my
friend. Wisdom and love are married
partners. If you separate them, neither
is a safe guide. But if you keep them
united, like a rower who pulls both oars,
you will glide swiftly forward in a smooth
sea.
Florence bent her head as she listened,
and every word of her friend made its im
pression. Long after they were remem
bered and acted upon, and they saved her
from hours of pain. Florence is a happy
wife; but how neardid she come to ma
king shipwreck of her love-freighted heart!
There are times when, in thinking of it,
she trembles.
Family Nomenclature.
An English work with the above title,
has been issued by Mark Anthony Jowcr,
which contains curious information. We
give an extract below.
Of sier names, Du Cange says, they
were at first written, not in a direct line
after the Christian name, but above it, be
tween the lines, and hence they were call
ed in Latin, supranomina, in Italian sit
pranome, and in Frencli surnoms over
name?. Those who contend for the non
identity of the two words, assert that, al
though every sir-name is a sur-name every
sur-name is not a sir-name a question
which I shall not tarry to discuss.
The Highlanders of Scotland employed
the sire name with Mac and hence our
Macdonalds, and Maccartys meaning re
spectively, the son of Donald and of Ar
thur. The Irish had the practice (proba
bly derived from the patriarchal ages,) of
p refixing Oy or O, signifying grandson
as O'Haxa O'Neale; a form still retain
ed in many Hibernia surnames.
It is related in the Encyclopaedia Per
thensis, that an antiquated Scottish dame
used to make it matter of boasting, that
she had trod the world's stage long enough
to possess one hundred oyes.
Many of the Irish also use Mac. Ac
cording to the following distich, the titles
Mac and 0' are not merely what the logi
cians call accidents, but altogether essen
tial to the very being and substance of an
Irishman:
Per Mac atqae O, tn veros cojnoscis Ilibsrnos
His duoLa. dcrpptis, nullus Ili'oernus adest.
Which has been translanted:
"Dy Mas and O'
You'll c.)weys hnow
True Irishmen, thsy say
For if they lack
Both O end Mac,
No Irishmen are they."
The old Normans prefixed to their
names the word 'ritz,' a corruption ot
Fils, and that derived from the Latin
Filius, as Fitz-Hamon, Fitz-Gilbert.
The peasantry of Russia, who are some
centuries behind the same class in other
countries, afiix the termination of 'Witz,'
(whicli seems to have some affinity to the
Norman Fitz) to their names; thus, Peter
Paulowitz, for Peter, the son of Paul.
The Poles employ Sky in the same sense,
as James Petrowsky, James the son of
Peter.
Until a comparatively recent period.no
surnominal adjunct was used in Wales,
beyond up, or son, as David-ap-lloivell,
TZvan-ap-fthys, Griffith-ap-I2oger, John
ap-Pichard, now very naturally corrupted
into Powell, Price, Prodger, and Pritch
ard. It was not unusual even but a cen
tury back to hear of such combinations as
Evan ap Griffith ap David ap Jenkin, and
so on the seventh or eighth generation, so
that an individual carried his pedigree in
his name. The following curious des
cription of a Welshman occurs 15 Henry
8; Morgane Phillip alias dicto Morgane
Phillip alias dicto Morgane vap-David
vap-Phillip.
The church of Llangollen, in Wales, is
said to be dedicated to S. Collen ap Gwy
mawg ap Clyndawg ap Courda ap Cara-doc-Kreichfas
ap Llynn-Merin ap Einion
Yrth ap Cunedda-Wledig, a name that
casts that of the Dutchman, Inkvexvan
kodsdorspaveksnkadrachdern, into the
shade.
To burlesque this ridiculous species of
nomenclature, some seventeenth-century
wag described cheese as being
Adam's own cousin-german by bi rth,
Ap Curds-Milk-ap-Grass-ap-Earth."
An Englishman riding one dark night
among the mountains, heard a cry of dis
tress proceeding apparently from a man
who had fallen into a ravine near the
highway, and on listening more attentive
ly, heard the words, 'Help master, help,
in a voice truly Cambrean. Help! what
Who are you?' inquired the traveller.
Jenkin ap Griffith ap Hob in ap William
ap Rees ap Evan, was the response. Lazy
fellows, that ye be,' rejoined the English
man, setting spurs to his horse, to lie
rolling in that hole, half a dozen of ye.
why, in the name of common sense, don't
ye help one another out?
A good man can never beniiscrablc nor
a wicked man happy. "
Marriage Eli incite.
Sailing across the vast southern ocean,
we find the most serious compact into
which the human race enters, regarded
as a most important affair. In Ceylon a
whole family goes in a body to ask a wo
man in marriage the more numerous
the family the greater the title he has for
her. If such a custom prevailed In Amer
ica, the 'Smiths" would be the most ar
bitary and successful wooers in the land.
But happily, such is not the case. In
Ceylon marriages are contracted by the
right thumbs of the man and woman be
ing put together, the priest throwing a
little water over them, and pronouncing
thewords used for the occasion. As soon
as the consent of the parties is obtained,
a magician is consulted to fix the day and
hour; and at this hour the two families
meet at the house of the young woman,
where a feast is prepared. The magician
consults his book, and holds a clepsydra,
or water-clock in his hand; the instant
the lucky moment arrives, the married
couple are covered with a piece of cloth;
their right hands are joined, filtered wa
ter is then thrown over them, a cup con
taining cocoa-miik is passed several times
over their heads, and thus the ceremony
ends.
The ceremonies among the Ilottonlots
are very peculiar. "When matters are
adjusted among the old people, the young
couple are shut up in o room by them
selves, where they pass the night in a
struggle for superiority. If the parties
agree, the marriage is completed by a
ceremoney not les singular. Men and
women squat on the ground in different
circles the bridegroom in one and the
bride in the other; the suri, or master of
the religiouos ceremonies, then streams
through a tube perfumed oil on to the
husband, who rubs it eagerly into the fur
rows of the fat'with which he is covered.
The bride has the same treatment,
In Kamschatka, a young man, after ma
king proposals, enters into the service of
his intended father-in-law; and if he prove
agreeable he is admitted to the trial of the
touch. The young woman is swaddled
up in leather thongs, and is pat under the
guard cf some old women, the suitor
watches every opportunity of a slackened
vigilance to salute her. The girl must
resist, in appearance, at least, and there
fore cries out to summon her guards, who
fall with fury upon the lover tear his
hair, scratch his face, and act in violent!
opposition. The attemps of the lover
are sometimes unsuccessful for months,
but the moment the touch is achieved, the
bride testifies her satisfaction by pronoun
cing "Ni, ni," with a soft and loving
voice. This ceremony was also usual in
Lithuania.
Ssketiocs for a Newspaper.
Most people think the selections of suit
able matter for a newsper the easiest part
of the business. How great an error. It
is by all means the most difficult. To
look over and over hundreds of exchange
papers every week, from which to select
enough for one, especially when the ques
tion is not what shall, but what shall not
be selected, is no easy task. If every
person who reads a newspaper could have
edited it, we should hear less complaints.
Not unfrequently is it the case, that an
editor looks over all his exchange papers
for something interesting, and can abso
lutely find nothing. Every paper is dry
er than a contribution box; and yet some
thing must be had his paper must come
out with something in it, and he does the
best he can. To an editor who has the
least care about what he selects, the wri
ting that he has to do is the easiest part of
his labor.
Every subscriber thinks the paper is
printed for his own benefit, and if there is
nothing in it that suits him, it must be
stopped; it is good for nothing. Some
people look over the death and marriages
and actually complain of the editor if but
a few people in the vicinity have been so
unfortunate as to die, or so fortunate as to
get married the previous week.
An editor should have such things in
his paper whether tney occur or not.
Just as many subscribers as an editor may
have, so many different tastes he has to
consult. One wants tales and poetry;
another abhors all that. The politician
wants nothing but politics! One wants
something smart, another something sound
One likes anecdotes, fun and frolic, and
the next door neighbor wonders that a
man of sense will put such stuff in his
paper. Something spicy comes out, and
the editor is a blackguard. Next comes
something argumentive, and the editor is
a dull fool. And so, between them all,
you see, the poor fellow gets roughly han
dled. And yet to ninety-nine out of a
hundred these things do not occur. They
never reflect that what does not please
them, may please the next man; but they
insist that if the paper does not suit them
it is good for nothing. ft. Patriot.
Two ways to fell a Story.
We hope there are readers who have
had practical evidences that a little kind
ness, however homoepathic the dose may
be,"goes five times as far towards making
those around you happy, as cargoes of sour
answers or surly rebukes. There are two
very distinct ways of telling the same
story. Some men will make hosts of
friends, while others will find it impossi
ble to discover one. Bluntness and frank
ness may do very well at times, but as a
general thing it is prudent to study effects
as well as causes. Jones may say to
Smith:
'Smith, are you going to pay that note
to-day?'
No I shan't: don't suit mc, and I shan't
do it!'
Thcn by thuuder I'll sec if you don't!'
says enraged Jones. A lawyer gets a case
a squabble follows, and they both pay
dearly for a lesson In civility. How dif
ferent Brown would fix it.
Smith what is the state of your finan
ces this morning, do you feel as though
you could let me have that fifty dollars
to-day?'
Well, no I can't, says Smith, 'I'm very
short; can't you wait on me a few days,
it would be an accommodation?'
Well,' says Brown, let it stand; do
something for me as soon as you can, will
you, Smith?'
Certainly I wi;l.' They part friends
and brothers.
Go away with that noise! says some
bully-headed fellow to the poor itinerant
organist and his monkey. The poor fel
low goes away, mortified and soured a
gainst his species; how different the good
heart, the peace maker does it.
My man, your music is pleasant, but it
disturbs us now; there are a few pennies,
play for some others further on your way.
The organist goes along smiling at the man
who has ordered him off. There is five
times the force in kind words and gener
osity, than there is in morose sulkiness and
arbitrary measures. We cannot live long
or happy among our species, without the
aid of kindness and generosity It is not
necessary to knock a man down to con
vince him he is in error, or hold a knife
at his breast to assure him his life is in
your power. Politeness and civility are
rare jewels; they render two-fold good,
blessing him that givedi and him that re
ceiveth. It is quite astonishing, when
we calculate the entire safety and splen
did percentage it yields that so few invest
in that capitol stock good humor and
kindness.
Tli5 Newspaper Tress-
The folfowing 13 from a speech, deliv
ered by Rev. James Aspinv.ili, on Edu
cation: 'Nor, while speaking of the school
masters, in vhose hands the printing press
is such a powerful agent of public in
struction at the present time , must we for
get newspapers. Whether we regard
them as the guide or echo of popular
opinion and in one sort they partake of
both characters we are lost in amaze
ment and admiration at the quantity and
quality of mind,and that of the highest
order, now to be found in the columns of
the daily, weekly, and provincial press.
Prom lipinor a mere chronicle of passing:
events, a dry register of dates and facts,
the newspaper has grown into one of the
leading schoolmasters of the day. Its ar
ticles amuse us with their wit, and in
struct us with their wisdom. They ex
hibit the brilliancy of the classical scholar,
and the close reasoning of the logician. It
is an encyclopaedia in itself. It reviews
all books and treats of all sciences. It is
familliar with all geography, and at home
with all history. It is CEdipus, to read
the riddles which every political sphinx
may set before it. It dives into cabinet
secrets and anticipates the purposes oi
statesmen. It has the hundred eyes of
the ever wakcful'argus, the hundred hands
and fifty heads of Briareus. And, as om
nipresent as omniscient, as ubiquitous as
versatile, it is here, there, and everywhere,
from Indus to the Po, from China to Peru,
compassing the world with its correspon
dents, and, with its expresses and electric
telegraph, racing against time to commu
nicate the intelligence of mankind in every
region of the earth. The ancients counted
up seven wonders of the world. If they
had possessed a newspaper press they
would have had an eighth more marvellous
and of more worth than all the rest to
gether." EPThe steam sloop Hecate was to
have left Portsmouth, England, on Satur
day, the 3d instant, direct for New York,
with Sir Henry Bulwer on board, as min
ister plenipotentiary to the United States.
The only son of Sir Edward Bulwer
Lytton was to sail with his uncle as un
paid attache. The Hecate will probably
arrive at New York some time this week.
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