cence-wealth and honor and goodness are theirs, and in their love I find my only earthly consolation. But I cannot forget the cruel yet merited sufferings of my youth. I say merited because they would never have fallen upon me had I not 'despised the counsel of my father.' I followed the blind impulses of my own will; and, like all who sow the wind, I reaped the whirlwind." MONEY-MAKING; OR, SUCCESS NOT ALWAYS HAPPINESS. "The gods have heard with too indulgent ears." JUVENAL. "WHAT is the matter with you, Harry? When I parted with you yesterday, you were in high spirits, anticipating a delightful ride with your favorite friend, Helen Hazlehurst, and regarding every thing in life through a rose-colored medium. Scarcely twenty-four hours have elapsed, and I find you as grave and sad as a world-wearied sage; what new whim has seized you ?" "A single hour, Frank, may suffice for the development of events which color one's whole future life." "What a philosophic remark! pray how long is it since you turned moralist ?" "Moments often do the work of years, Frank. A sense of our duties and responsibilities usually dawns slowly upon the soul, like the gradual unfolding of daylight to the eye of the sleeper; but sometimes it flashes suddenly and startlingly upon us, even as the lightning, which reveals his hazardous mountain-path to the benighted traveller.” "Upon my word, Harry, you soar an eagle's flight above my humble comprehension. What has happened to you since yesterday?" 66 Much, Frank enough, in fact, to change all my future plans of life." "You speak in riddles, my good fellow." "In sober truth, I have decided to relinquish my studies, and try my fortune in the world of traffic." "Are you mad, Harry, to abandon such a career as lies before you in professional life? and, to come nearer to present prospects, how can you bear to withdraw from the scene of your scholastic labors, after three years of hard study, when the reward of your talents and industry is just within your grasp? You are not— you cannot be serious." "I knew you would be surprised, Frank; but I have something else to tell you, which will astonish you still more. You know how long I have admired Helen Hazlehurst, and how greatly her intimacy with my sisters has aided me in obtaining an accurate knowledge of her character. She is one of those sweet, gentle creatures, who, though unfitted to dazzle in society, cannot fail to inspire affection in the hearts of those who behold her in the domestic circle. I have long loved her earnestly and tenderly, but scarcely conscious of the strength of my own feelings, I have never spoken to her on the subject until betrayed by circumstance, 'that unspiritual god.' Yesterday, a large party, among whom were Helen and myself, set out to ride, and we were all as merry as youth and healthful excitement could make us. As we entered the woods, the rest of the gay troop were considerably in advance of us, and while they cantered along the main road, I caught the bridle of Helen's horse, and turned into a by-path which met the road some two miles beyond. I know not what impulse prompted me to the freak; it was a mere frolic, for I certainly had no idea of the consequences which were to result from it. Some how or other we seemed to grow less mirthful when we found ourselves alone in the greenwood. The sunset hour lent its softening influence to our feelings; we watched the beams of golden light which fell between the gnarled trunks of the old trees, tinging, here and there, a branch with its gorgeous hues, and throwing a rich glow upon the velvet-like turf, until we became silent and almost saddened by overpowering emotion. The quiet of the place, unbroken save by the tramping of our horses, or the whizzing of a bird above our heads-the loveliness of nature in her wildness, and the soft breath of the summer air, all contributed to subdue our hearts. At such a moment, mirth seemed sacrilege. Helen had never looked more beautiful; perhaps her conscious heart lent a deeper flush to her cheek, and a softer sparkle to her eye, for she seemed to grow more and more lovely the longer I gazed upon her sweet face. I know not how it happened, Frank-I was excited-bewildered-but I remember that I gave vehement utterance to the emotions which oppressed me. Those words, which, when heart responds to heart, are never spoken in vain, were breathed into the ear of the agitated girl, and that hour witnessed our betrothal. I cannot describe to you the intoxicating happiness of that moment. It seemed to me a dream, and yet, as I clasped the hand of the gentle and confiding creature, I felt that it was indeed a blessed reality. "Nothing could be more unpremeditated than this avowal, and, perhaps you will say, nothing could have been more indiscreet; but when you pass through a similar trial, Frank, you will better understand the force of the temptation. That hour decided my future destiny. I went forth a light-hearted boy, to whom life was, as yet, but a scene of enjoyment and preparation for future struggle: I returned laden with the responsibilities of manhood, for I had taken into my keeping the heart and happiness of a fellow being. I was happy, very happy, Frank—and yet, to you, as to a second conscience, I may disclose the after conflict of my heart. In the deep silence of night, when the voice of passion was stilled, and the language of wisdom made itself. heard in my soul, I was conscious that I had committed a great error. What right had I, with my character, as yet, unformed by circumstances, my position in society, as yet, undefined, my fortunes uncertain, my education incomplete-what right had I to assume the voluntary guardianship of a young and innocent girl, whose ignorance of the world placed her entirely under my guidance? Years must elapse before I can claim the hand which she has plighted to me-years of toil for me-of patient suspense for her. My very love has taught me the selfishness of my conduct. In the weary watches of the past night, I have learned-what years are sometimes too short to teach-how fearful are the responsibilities of him who presumes to be his 'brother's keeper.'" |