A y1 "WE GO WHERE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES POINT THE WAV; WHEN THEY CEASE TO LEAD, WE CEASE TO FOLLOW "BY JOHN G. GIVEN. EBENS13URG, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1830. VOL. G. AO. 31 It t fi 1 II 3 II 1 m m . m . MISCEILAITEOU SELF SACRIFICE; OR THE YO UNO LIE UTENA NT. The "days of chivalry," in the steel-armor and horse-praacing sense of the phrase, have .doubtless passed away in the limbo reserved for all social extrava gances; but the spirit which, in the eyes of thoughtful rnen, redeemed its else vain shows and tinsel. accessories from unmiti. gated contempt, interlused with the pro saic drama of conventional modern life, survives in more than all its ancient vigor, and from time to time gleams forth, and illumes the sombre hues of our neutral tinted civilization with the brilliant pris matic colors of the day. In other words, there are indeed constantly enacted in this matter-of-fact world of ours which, for real heroism, have no parallel in the glit tering annals of plumed and painted chiv alry. A romantic episode in the life of a gallant and well-known sea officer for the exact verity of which I, and indeed many others still living, can vouch-affords I think, a vivid illustration of this brief text. Francis Travers, as I shall call him, was the only son of a worthy and some what eccentric gentleman of Devonshire, who had passed the greater part of an ac tive and successful life in the naval ser vice of the East India Company. He retired from active pursuits at the for this bustling go-ahead country early age of fifty-five; and having securely invested the savings of his life amounting to about twenty thousand pounds in the funds; retired to an old fashioned rustic residence called Marlands, to enjoy in leisured solitary dignity he had long been a widower the remainder of his allotted days. His house, in common with those of most retired seamen, was speedi- j lv decorated with a wind-vane anu a nag- ... 11 staff on which was frequently exhibited bunting of every hue and device known and recognized beneath the run; but even with the help of these interesting time killers, the hours passed slowly and hea vily with the old mariner, and it was soon ?bundantly evident that to be thus ever lastingly anchored, stranded in one spot, was ruinous to his health as well as tem per. He grew daily more and more rest less, fidgetty, and irritable, and drank a great de'al more than he had been accus tomed to. Finally, on the very morning after the news arrived that his son had creditably passed for a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, Mr. Travers was found dead and cold in his bed. The coroner's inquest recorded that he died by the "visi tation of God." Lieutenant Travers, the sole heir of his father's wealth, was at this time a fine specimen of a well educated, intelligent naval officer; and rich, well looking, and of robust health, might be fairly looked upon as an extremely fortunate person, whom in all probability a brilliant, cloud less future awaited. In the young offi cer's own opinion however, all these aids and appliances were nothing if they failed to obtain for him the one sole object, after professional fame, of his ambition -the hand of the beautiful girl by whom, since his first visit to his father at Marlands, his whole being heart, soul, sense had been engrossed. His admiration of Mary Wharton was perhaps all the more enthu siastic and iutense from having remained as yet stricdy confined to his own breast. His heart alone knew and brooded over its own secret, and was likely, it seemed, to do so for an indefinite time to come, inasmuch as the daring sailor, who has already been twice wounded in desperate boat expeditions upon which he had vol unteered, doubted much whether he sho'd ever muster sufficient audacity to disclose his passion even to the fair lady herself. It is the faith or imagination of the worshipper which invests the idol or the shrine with its traneendent attributes; and often as Francis Travers had counted up his own advantages videlicet, a person which ever hi a modesty would not but admit was nft one to frighten the gentler sex; a professional reputation for skill and daring; and now, since the death of his father, a handsome fortune he pronoun ced them all mere dross and rags when weighed against the divine perfections of thelntr 1 ; voru. flmihtful whether anv At AO 1 I J VVW" . . - j other human being would have arrived at the same conclusion. Mary Wharten was indeed an amiable, graceful girl; and her beauty, if not of the brilliant kind which at first view dazzles the beholder, was scarcely less ultimately dangerous in its Pensive thoughtfulness, and in the beseech ing gentleness which, gleaming from out lhe transparent depths-of her deep blue eyes, tinted the pale, finely turned cheek hh varying charms. But excepting this beauty of expression more than of form, and an unquestionably amiable temper and disposition she had really nothing to -oast. 01 worldly fortune she would not possess one shilling, and was neither fash ionable or wealthily . connected. Her fa ther, Sir Richard Wharton a spendthrift, gambling baronet, of old creation, it is true, but bankrupt alike in health and fortune, known, in fact to be overwhelmed with" debt was scarcely very desirable as a father-in-law; and yet Francis Trav ers, as lie took leave of Lady Wharton and her daughter, after attending his father's funeral, could not help wondering, as he gazed upon the fair, gentle girl, and felt her calm reservedness of tone and manner sweep coldly across his beating heart, at his presumptious folly of having loved A bright, particular star, And thought to wed it. So strange are the tricks which the blind god sometimes plays with the eyes. and understandings of his more enthusiastic votaries. The frig-ate to which Lieutenant Trav ers was first appointed, after knocking about the channel through the winter, picking up a few trifling prizes, was or dered to Portsmouth, to be overhauled, and have her defects made good; but being found thoroughly infected with dry rot, I was put out of commission and ultimately broken up. The brush oft 1 rafalgar had crippled Napoleon's marine; and as the breeze with Brother Jonathan had not yet sprung up, lieutenants were in .somewhat less request than usual, and Travers took up his abode at Marlands, undisturbed for a considerable time by intimation orcom- , mand from the Admirality. Mary Whar ton, more beautiful, more interesting than ever, received him, he imagined, with much more cordial frankness than former, ly; Lady Wharton seemed pleased with his return; whilst Sir Richard who, he instinctively felt, had long since penetra ted his secret, and with whom by the way, he had always been a great favorite, expressed unqualified pleasure at seeing him. What wonder, then, that the illu sions dispelled by former coldness should reappear beneath the genial warmth of such a reception? There was no rival in the case; of that he felt assured. Indeed, with the exception of the Rev. Edmund Hartford, curate of the Parish church, and Mary's cousin, Lady Wharton and her daughter lived in Archer's Lodge in almost entire seclusion. Sir Richard for three fourths of the year resided in London, and when visiting Devonshire, surrounded him self with associates whose manners and pursuits were anything but congenial with those of his wife and daughter. As to the curate, accomplished scholar and eloquent devine as he was, and much as Miss Whar ton seemed to take pleasure in his varied and brilliant conversation not more how ever, than did her mother and Travers himself any notion of marriage with him was, the lieutenant felt, quite out of the question. Edmund Harford's salary as curate was only about ninety pounds a year he had no influential connexions to push him on in the church and Travers thought he had ill read human character if Lady Wharton, did any chance exist of Mary allying herself with poverty and wretchedness, would permit an intercourse likely to have so fatal a result. Thus rea soning, believing, hoping, Travers surren dered himself unresistingly to the influ ence by which he was enthralled. He walked, .fished, played at billiards with the baronet, paiticipated freely in the va rious modes for killing time, except ga ming, and awaited with tortuiing anxiety a favorable moment for terminating the feverish doubts which, reason as he might, still haunted him incessantly. A circum stance, sudden, unexpected, and terrible, cut short his hesitation, and pushed him to a decision he might have else delayed for months perhaps years. A dispute arose late one night between Sir Richard Wharton and one of his com panions respecting alleged unfair play at cards. Injurious epithets were freely in terchanged; and, after a fruitless attempt by the persons present to adjust the quar rel amicably, an appeal to the arbitrament of the pistol, was arranged for an early hour the next morning. The meeting took place, and both combattants were wounded at the first fire Sir Richard as it proved mortally. The baronet was hastily conveyed to the nearest public house, and such medi cal aid as the locality afforded was in stantly procured. On examining the wound, which was in the chest, and bled internally, the surgeon at once informed the sufferer that nothing could be done tft prolong, much less to save his life. "I thought so felt so!" murmured the unfortunate gentleman, with white lips, "Accursed chance!" A few moments af terwards he added, "How long, think you, my life this agony may last?" "Not long; an hour perhaps-no more." "So soon! I must be quick then. Let the room be cleared at once of all except my servant. James," he added, as soon as his orders were obeyed, "hasten to Marlands to Mr. Travers; tell him I must see him instantly. Be swift, for more than life depends upon your speed!" For the next half hour the groans wrenched from the dying man, in his fast closing struggle' witli the terrible foe that held him in his iron grasp, were alone heard in the apartment; and then hurrying feet sounded along the passage, and Lieu tenant Travers greatly excited, rushed in. "Can this terrible intelligence be true?" he breathlessly exclaimed, "that you are" "Dying? Yes; a few more pulsations, my young friend, and that which men call life will be past, and I shall be noth ing!" "May not something be still attempted? Where is the surgeon?" "Gone, by my orders. You, Francis Travers, can alone aid me in this extrem ity." "I! What can you mean?" "Not, indeed, to save my life that is past lumping for; but to rescue an ancient name, which I have already tarnished, from indelible disgrace and infamy. You love Mary Wharton?" ,As my own soul!" replied Travers, flushing scarlet. "I have long known it. You are aware that the estates go to my nephew,and that she is portionless?" "Perfectly; but that is a circumstance' "How much per annum of clear avail able income do you possess?" interrupted Sir Richard quickly. So strange a question at such a moment startled Travers; but, after a moment's pause, he replied, "Including my profes sional income, about a thousand a year." "Enough! Hand me a glass of water. 1 Now, come nearer, Travers, for my eyes ! grow dim, and my speech, beneath the cho ' king grasp of this fell death is faint and dii ! ficult. You know that Lady Wharton and J myself, though occasionally residing under : one roof, have been for many years thor I oughly estranged from each other. For this I know the world blames me, and I admit, quite justly. Well, the world, wise and prayiug as it is, yet neither knows or guesses a thousandth part of the wrong I have done my wife and child!" "Sir Richard!" "When Lmarriea Ellen Harford, her fortune secured to her by settlement, was invested in the funds in her maiden name; the annual interest amounted to about eight hundred pounds" "Perhaps not. This revenue Lady Wharton has constantly drawn, half yearly through Chila's banking house. It was devoted by her to the maintenance of our establishmant. A few months since, I bend lower, that I may hiss the accursed confession in your ear! I, pressed by ! enormous gaming debts, and infatuated by j a belief that I might, had 1 the means of pla) ing for large stakes, retrieve my losses forged do you hear? -forged my wife's name to a warrant of attorney, drew out the entire capital, played with and lost all! And now now," cried the miserable man with spasmodic violence, "you know all know that by my act my wife, my child are paupers, beggars homeless friend less and but for you without resource or hope!" "Merciful powers! can this be true?" "As death!" rejoined the baronet, his h.usky accents again sinking to a feeble whisper. "And you on whom I counted, hesitate, I see, to save my name from in famy, even though the reward be Mary Wharton" "Say not so!" passionately exclaimed Travers. "But how by what means can I conceal can I" "Easily. Continue to pay the dividend as usual through Child's till "you are wherc are you? till you are married. Lady Wharton will live'with you an rv, till till You understand?" d Ma- "I think I do," stammered Travers. But " "That's well!" A silence of several minutes succeeded, followed by incoherent murmurs, indicating that the senses of the dying man were wandering. "ColcLcold and dark! Looed! and upon three trumps! Light the candles: we cannot see the cards! Ah! what shapes are these? Ellen, Mary! so stern, too, now that Tra vers has promised has promised has promised " The death rattle choked his utterence, and in a few minutes Sir Richard Wharton had ceased to live. About three weeks after the funeral of the deceased baronet, Lieut. Travers received a letter on serv ice, from the Admiralty, an nouncing his appointment to a crack frig ate fitting for sea at Portsmouth, and di recting him to report himself on board im mediately. This summons rendered fur ther delay or hesitation impossible He could not leave Marlands without coming to a frank explanation with Lady and Miss Wharton, and he resolved it should take place that very morning. Not a syl lable had j et passed hiu lips relative to the extraordinary disclosures made by Sir Richard Wharton in his last moments, or to the wishes he had expressed icgardiu"' his daughter. In the .event, .Travers men tally argued, ot the acceptance of his suit by 3Iiss Wharton and her mother, there could be no reason for concealment from them; they would not betray the late baro net's disgraceful secret. At all events he would not, by first revealing to Mary Wharton that she was penniless, and af terwards pr'offerring her his hand and for tune, seem to wish to purchase her con sent to a union with him. Full of these cogitations and resolves, he arrived at Ar cher's Lodge, where to his extreme aston ishment, he found the servants packing up the furniture as for immediate removal. He hurried to the breakfast room, where he found Lady Wharton and her daughter both busily engaged arranging books, mu sic, and papers. "What is the meaning of this?" he de manded with intense agitation. "Surely you are not leaving Archer's Lodge? ' "Indeed -we are, Mr. Travers," replied Lady Wharton. "We received a letter yesterday, accepting an offer we had made for the lease of a house in Wales, close to Edmund's new curacy, which he says will suit us admirably." "Us Edmund!" gasped Travers. "Mary, love, place these papers," said Lady Wharton, "in the writing desk in my dressing room. Mr. Travers, she ad ded, as the door closed, "you are ill. The walk has perhaps fatigued you. Let me give you a glass of wine." "No no no! What is it you say? Mary -Edmund! Speak, and quickly; my brain turns." "I feared this," said Lady Wharton soothingly, as she approached and gently took his hand; "and perhaps I have been to blame in delaying the explanation which must now be made." "What explanation, relative to whom?" "To Mary and her cousin, Edmund Harford." "Ha!" "They are betrothed lovers, and have been so, with my consent for many months. Liston to me calmly, Mr. Tra vers," continued Lady Wharton terrified by the wild expression of the young man's eyes. "Mary some time since wished me to give j'ou my confidence. . I hesitated; for, alas! bitter experience has taught me to place but little reliance on the faith of men. I was wrong I see; but pray try to calm yourself." "Go on go on. Let me at least know all the worst, the worst!" "I will be frank with you. The failing health of Sir Richard Wharton has for some time warned me that but a brief space j remained to him on earth. The frightful catastrophe of the other day but hastened his end, in all probability, by only a few months. Mary's sole dependence was, in that event, I knew, the marriage portion secured to me, the interest of which a- mounts to something over eight hundred pounds per annum." "I know 1 have heard," "Indeed!" "Yes; but no matter. Proceed, I beg "The possesion of an income in my own right, amply sufficient for the needs of an unambitious household, warranted mo, I conceived, in consenting to Mary's en gagement with her cousin, whom she has known from childhood, and of whose worth no one can speak too highly. My silence and reserve have, I perceive, Mr. Travers, misled you; but forgive me; I did not know I could not perceive' "Let me pass madam," exclaimed Tra vers, disengaging his hand, and staggering towards the door, "I will retnrn pres ently." A whirlwind of emotion was sweeping through his brain as he hurried from the house into the adjoining shrubbery. Wounded affection, despair and compas sion tugged at his heart, and ruled it by turns. The open air helped to cool "and revive him; and after about au hour's bit ter conflict with himself, he returned to where he had left Lady Wharton. She was still there. "May I have your laayship's permission to see Miss Wharton alone for a few min utes?" Lady Wharton appeared surprised at the request, but at once acceded to it, "I will send her to you immediately," she replied and left the room. A considerable period elapsed, before MissJWharton, tremblingly, blushing, pain fully agitated, almost, indeed to tears en tered the apartment. "Pardon my freedom my importunity Miss Wharton," said Traverse, in as calm a tone as he could command, as he led her to a seat, and placed himself beside her. "I have a question to ask you of the last importance to you as 10 myself, and I en treat you to answer it frankly as to a brother." The lady bowed, and the lieutenant pro ceeded with somewhat more firmness. "You arc, I am informed, dependent as to fortune upon Lady Wharton. Is it then I would ask, of pour own free choice and will that you are contracted to your cousin to the Rev. Mr. Harford? Nay, Lady, be not offended at my boldness. It is in virtual compliance with the injuctions of Sir Richard Wharton, expressed in his last moments, that I ask this question." The momentary glance of indignant sur prise passed from Alary Wharton's face at the mention of her father's name. Her suf fused eyes weie 3gain bent on the ground whilst the rich color came and went on fier cheek as she replied in a low agitated voice "Edmund and I have known, have been attached almost betrothed, to each other from childhood" "Enough, Miss Wharton," said Travers hastily rising; "l will not trespass further on your indulgence. May all good angels guard and bless you!" he added, seizing her hand and passionately kissing it; "and for your sake, him Farewell! ' He hur ried from the house, and the same evening took coach for London, made the nccessa ry arrangement for continuing the payment of Lady Wharton's dividend through Childs, as before; then proceeded to Ports mouth, and joined his ship, which a few days afterwards sailed for the South Amer ican station. Lady Wharton and her daughter re moved, as they had intimated, to Wales, where Edmund Harford had obtained a curacy, scarcely of sojmuch money-value as that which he had left in Dovonshrie. After the lapse of a twelvemonth he was married to Mary Wharton; still,however, retaining his curacy as a means cf useful ness. The union was a happy one. In the enjoyment of an amply sufficient in come, aud soon begirt with joyous infancy, their da's fled past in tranquil happiness; and each succeeding year, as it rolled over them in their beautiful retreat, aug mented wi:h some new blessing their sum of wordly felicity If a thought of the noble-hearted man to whom they were unconsciously so deeply indebted crossed their minds, it was chief! j- when a present for one of the children, of some rich or curious produce of distant climes an ived, or a gazette of that stirring period one of the bold deeds which rapidly advanced Lieutenant Travers to pest captain's rank. Peace, for which the harrassed, trampled world had so long sighed, was at last pro claimed, and Edmund Harford, who cor responded with CapatainTravers, thought it possible he might pay them a visit j perhaps take up his abode in the neigh- j borhood, for Marlands, the' know, had long since been disposed of. He, however, i came not; and the next letter received an- j nounced that he had joined the expedi- i tion against Algiers.'under Lord Exmouth. Tidings of the triumph of the British fleet over that celebrated nest of pirates reached them in due season, accompanied by vic tory's ever present crimson shadow the list of killed and wounded, Harford j glanced anxiously at the column, and an exclamation of dismay and sorrow broke from him Captain Travers was returned "mortally wounded!" Greatly pained and shocked as they all were by this intelli gence, they were some days before they knew how deep cause they had for grief. About a fornight, it might have been, af terwards, Mr. Harford by Lady Wharton's directions wrote to Messrs Child to inquire the reason the iast halfyeai's dividend had not been forwarded as usual. The answer revtalinf the crime ofSirllicherd Whar ton, the heroic sacrifice of Travers, and their own utter worldly ruin stunned, overwhelmed them! "The reported death of Captain Travers," the bank ers wrote, after fully explaining the source from which, since the death of Richard Wharton, the remittances had been derived, "and a consequent claim to his property by a distant relative, as heir at law, necessarily precluded them from, continuing the haif-yearly payments." All emotions of admiration, wonder gratitude, excited by the discovery, were soon absorbed by consternation at the prospect before them suddenly deprived as they were, by the stroke ol an en chanter's wand, of their imaginary wealth. Our children!" exclaimed Mrs. Harford, with tearful vehemence, "what will become cf them, nurted as they liave been in ease and luxury?" "God will provide both for them and us, Mary," replied her husband. If we excise out faith and patience, but 1 have no fear; but my heart swells to think that that noble minded man should have pas sed away unassured, unconscious of our deep gratitude and esteem." "Do not deem me selfish, Edmund," re j joined Mrs. Harford. "I feci his gener ous kindness as deeply as yourself. It is for our children am anxious not for myself; not even for j'ou." "I3e assured," sain Lady Wharton, re covering from her panic, that Captain Travers has not neglected to provide for Slirli n mviKnlili) rrit in rr t in fii nmf'S- '.vuuu.v ww..t..-Sv-..vj ....... t sion as sudden death. His unselfish cvo tediicts to you, Mary, will shield you and yours from beyond the grave: of that, ba satisfied." Lady Wharton was not mistaken, in her judgment of the character of Captain Tra vers. By the very next pest a letter at. rived, under cover of Messrs. Child, from a solicitor, informing them that by a will executed by Captain Travers on thesamo day that he had directed the banks to re mit lh usual amount of Lady Wharton, the whole nmou-nt of thn p-opeity of which he "might dia possessed was bequeathed to Mary Harford, for her sole use and. benefit, and not passing by marnaga to the husband. "The instant official news of the death of Captain Travers arrived," it was added, "probate would be at once obtained on his will, and the proper steps taken to put .Mrs. Harford in possession of the legacy." All doubts were speedi ly set at rest. A carriage drove slowly up the avenue one evening, just as it was growing dusk, and Mr. Harford was in formed that a gentleman wUhed to speak with him. He hastened out. and a pa le, mutilated figure extended its hand to him, exclaiming, in a feeble voice, Edmuud! Do you know me?" "Captein Travers! almost shouted Har ford. "Can it indeed be you? "A piece of me, Edmund," replied the wounded officer, with an effort to smile. "I am come to ask permission," he added in a graver tone, "to die here; I shall not, I think, be refused?" He survived for several months, minis tered to with tendcrest sohcitued by Mrs. Harford and her husband. The last tones that sounded in his ear were those of Ed-mund-Harford, reading with choking voic the prayers of the church for tbe dying: the last object his darkening eyes distin guished was the tearful countenance cf the beloved of his youth and manhood, the laslword his lips uttered was hernamu Mahv! Family Quarrels. Ral or Mouse. Wc once heard the fa mous Lorenzo Dow, in a summer which we shall never forget, relate a story in il lustration of the folly of family disagree ments, and the fact that family quarrels arn, frequently the effect of passionate and unyielding tempers, exvited by the most trivial incidents. I know said he, an exceedingly happy and affectionate young couple, who had but recently commenced housekeeping in all the luxury of newly wedded love, and elegant plenty. As they sat together in thtir parlor ex changing the little tender nothings of recip rocal love, a sleek little mouse ran across the apartment. My love,' cried the lady, 'did you sec see that mouse?' 4I saw it my dear, replied the husband 'but it was a rat.' 'Oh no, love,' said the wife, it certain ly was a mouse. Madam, I tell you it was a rat, thun dered the husband. 'It was a mouse,' asserted the lady, 'I saw it very distinctly.' t'l saw it also madam, and my eyes at as good as you rs." Your eyes may be as good sir, tbut if they are, your judgement is not.'retorled the lady. And so, said Dow, the quarrel progressed, until the couple so incensed each other, that they separated. The mutal friends succeded in effect ing a reconciliation, and the harmony ot af factioa seemed resfored, but one evening as they sat chattiug,'toying and sayng how mnch they loved, the wife remarked. ' IJow foolish it w:ts for us to have such a quarred abut that silly mouse." Mouse!" cried the husband, "I say it was a rat!" So tbe qnarrel was renewed, and the loving pair separated the second time. Now, reader, if you are quarrelsome, hero is an examplcfor you. You see that although the creature's oeing rat or mouse, was n-A of the h-ast cor.sequenco to the parties, or any tody close, her Oi hereafter, it was yet suliicient to stub born, unyielding spirits so much as to distort young love, and sever the holy bjnds of conjugal affection. "Mind hotv Talk you i" Hoys. On Saturday last a "breach of promise to marry" case was tried in the Court ot Common Pleas at present in session in this city. The dpfendent had promised to take a "young lady 'to be his lawful wife;' but afterwards repented his choice, and married 'a gal more to his liking.'- This wc believe to be a full statement of the case. Damages fur the plaintiff, $1,600. Stubenvillc Messenger. What literary men would a man name, on looking at a house on fire? Dieken?, llowitt, Burns. lie who thinks'too much ol hmuelt will be in danger of being forgotten by the rcjt of the world.