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130 wishes, my unfailing affection, the fond ca resses of our children, will, hy the permission op a good and just God, be the means of once more bringing him to a sense of hisduty. Har ry is not so deeply steeped in vice, so utterly devoid of feeling, as always to remain insen sible to my fond devotion; as to my children, from them it is impossible for me to separate, this world would then become a desert indeed ; their sweet smiles and fond endearments will strengthen me in the path of duty, and arouse my failing energies. When fainting under toil and the disappointment of my dearest ex pectations, one smile of love from their beam ing eyes will impart a thrill of gladness to my weary soul, and renewed strength to my ex hausted frame.” “Well Marian, am I to understand this as your final decision “ Dear mother forgive me, but I can form no other.” “ Self-willed and foolish girl, thou hast seal ed thy fate; forever art thou an alien from thy mother’s roof; a mother’s presence shall no more bless thy sight, nor shall my death be beneficial to you; the inheritance of your ancestors, shall descend to those, who have a better knowledge of filial duty; let the neg lect of this sunken inebriate, repay you for a mother’s repulsed affection.” Such were the last cruel words of the proud and haughty Mrs. Clare to her almost heart broken child. Marian Clare was the only child of one of the most aristocratic families in the Old Do minion. Her father dying in her early youth, she was left under the sole guidance oi a proud, imperious mother, whose untiring energy was devoted to the accomplishment of her ambi tion; already, did she imagine it within her grasp, by the marriage of her gentle Marian, with one of America’s most gifted sons, when Fate who likes to disappoint our fondest ex pectations, shuffled the cards of destiny, and forever ended her visions of future glory. In the year 18 Mrs. Clare and her daughter, while on a tour of pleasure through our northern cities, became acquainted, through the introduction of a mutual friend, with Mr. Grey, a young merchant from the south; whose proud and noble bearing, brilliant im agination, and exuberant flow of spirits, com bined with his noble fortune, made the sub jugation of his heart, the ardent desire of most of the young holies of his acquaintance. Up on his first introduction to the fair and gentle Marian, his imagination was captured by her beauty, and the depth of tenderness, beaming from her deep blue eyes; and he inwardly re solved to use every exertion, for the obtain ment of her heart and hand. Marian, accustomed to being treated in her childhood’s home, as a simple child, by her haughty mother and anticipated husband, soon viewed with delight, the devoted attention, the constant anticipation of every wish, the fond words of endearment, poured forth at every opportunity, the deep and servant ad miration, beaming from the dark and brilliant eyes of the gallant and manly Harry Grey. His affection, was soon revealed to the object of his devotion, and, need I assert, most faith fully returned; her mother’s ambitious hopes, and imperious temper, were alike forgotten, in the extatic knowledge of Harry’s devoted love. It is impossible, to portray the scene which ensued, when Mrs. Clare became acquainted with their engagement. Disappointed, almost at the moment of success, in the most ambi tious project of her life—the expectation of seeing her daughter, elevated nearly to the highest pinnacle of power—for a moment, her senses became stunned with the revelation; but rallying in an instant her almost dormant faculties, she, like a skilful general, com menced skirmishing around the outworks of her daughter's heart, confidently, expecting to carry its citadel by storm. No words can depict the anger ol the almost maddened wo man, when after tears, supplications, and re- Si ©$ if 1 & iiil Da OIfISSi AIE ¥ ©tSL&GsITiFS* monstrances, her gentle girl, firmly expressed her determination, never, to give her hand to one, however exalted his station, who did not possess her heart. Earnestly did she implore her mother, to reconcile her mind to that which was inevitable, and to receive as her future husband, one in every respect worthy of the name. The exasperated mother, replied to her en treaties, by calling upon her Creator, to fulfill her hitter maledictions, if she still persisted in her determination of becoming the wfffe of Mr. Grey —never more would she call her by the endearing name of daughter; forever should she be a stranger to her roof, and the cause of an offended mother, should follow her even to the grave. With an almost broken heart Marian re tired to her room, and in the silence ol her chamber, wept over the tyranny of her moth er. Should she yield, and sacrifice her dear est wishes, to ihe ambition of that parent, and bear a life of misery, and deceit, until the dark portals of the tomb should open to re ceive her 1 Every feeling of her soul shud dered at the prospect. Her parent was un just, in wishing to sacrifice her earthly hap piness, for the mere attainment of worldly rank —Heaven could not be so unjust, as to fulfill the imprecations of an angered mother; even, that mother herself, when time had sof tened her disappointment, would in earnest supplications, to the throne of grace, plead for a revocal, of the tearful denunciation now poured on the guiltless head, of her only child. Sinking upon her knees in humble adoration, her soul poured forth its fervent aspirations, to ttie great Creator, beseeching strength of mind to endure, with firm, but mild forbear ance, the harsh reproaches of her mother. She then arose with renewed determination, to pursue as she thought, the path best cal culated to afford her future happiness. At the residence of a mutual friend, that even ing, she again met Grey;and to his fond and ardent pleadings, that she would at once give him the right, to protect and minister to her future happiness, she gave her free, and full consent. They were married, kind friends were around them, but no parent’s hand, was laid in blessing upon their youthful heads. The heart of Marian, was deeply saddened by her mother’s refusal to attend the marriage, but the fond endearments, the kind and sooth ing attentions of her beloved husband, calm ed the poignancy of her grief, and Hope cheer ed her with the promise of a future reconcil iation. Immediately after the ceremony, she ac companied her husband to his home, in our beautiful and sunny South, where every pre paration had been made for their arrival. — Friends, numerous and wealthy, thronged for ward, to welcome the new made bride; at tentions, the most flattering, were unceasing ly poured upon them. Party, succeeded par ty, given in honour of the new married pair; their days weie spent in continual dissipation : lor Harry Grey was the life of every assem bly. and no excuse would be taken for non attendance. Marian’s tender frame, soon experienced the ill effects of such unceasing rounds of pleasure. Her delicate state of health, with the prospect of soon becoming a mother, sobered the exuberance of her spirits, and exhibited to her view, the necessity of a more rational mode of existance. With un mixed delight she pictured to herself visions of future domestic happiness; her lovely in fant reclining on her lap, its fond father hang ing in extacy over them, tracing in its deli cate and lovely features, a miniature resem blance of each of them.—But, poor Marian was doomed to feel the bitter pang of disap pointment. The domestic joys and cares of home, were unsuited to the gay and volatile disposition of Mr. Grey. His wild, exuberant spirits panted for the crowded saloons, and one evening’s domestic quiet, added fresh ar dour to his restless mind, as when a captive bird, freed from its bondage, expands its wings, wild with delight to feel its freedom, and soars aloft in the enjoyment of the moment, regard less of a care for the morrow. With tealful forebodings, Marian beheld the growing indifference of her beloved hus band, and eagerly exerted her powers of fas cination to make his home more pleasant and attractive. With mild remonstrance, she laid before him the loneliness of her situation, and tearfully besought him that he would take it into consideration, and yield her more of his society. With protestations of the deepest affection, he strove to soothe the excitement of her feelings, and calm her awakened fears, promises of amendment were abundantly pour ed into her willing ears, and all fear of future sorrow, momentarily vanished from her mind. The short interval preceding the birth of her child, was passed by the happy Marian, in bliss, the most supreme. Her beloved Har ry when freed from the cares of business, was ever at her side, fulfilling with the prompt ness of affection, her most simple wish.— When her hour of trial approached, his ex pressions of endearment calmed her excite ment, his beloved hand smoothed the ruffled pillow, wiped the dews of pain from her fe vered brow, and held the refreshing cup to her parched lips. Thus, also passed the in terval of her restoration to health—but then, the wish for change and excitement, returned with additional strength to Harry’s mind. The still delicate state of Marian’s health, added to the cares of maternity, bound her to the house, but free from the merest particle of selfishness, she opposed not his desire to seek the charms of society —an opportunity soon offered for the gratification of his wish. Mr. Melville an old and valued friend of his boy hood, was about to follow his example, and lead to the hymenial altar, a lovely and bloom ing bride; and earnestly entreated Harry to be present on the occasion. With gratified pride, Marian beheld him. in all his beauty, depart for the scene of festivity; better had it been for them both, that the grave had o pened and enclosed them within its yawning chasm. A bright and gay assembly had met to hon our the fair bride. Tables groaned under the most rare, and cosily refreshments; wine, that fell destroyer of millions, circulated free ly ; while the sparkling wit, and merry jest, flew from lip to lip. Dazzled by the excite ment of the moment, and the congratulations of friends on the birth of his heir, Air. Grey freely quaffed the flowing bovvl, and sealed with sorrow, his future destiny. Oh, was there not in that gay assemblage, even one kind friend to extend the hand of warning, and guide his faltering steps, far from the treacherous precipice upon which he hover ed l In the early hours of morning, the no ble, manly, and intelligent Mr. Grey, was conveyed to his home totally insensible. Oh, who can portray the anguish of the stricken Marian at the sight ? Her beloved Harry de graded almost to the brute ; his brilliant eyes changed by the deadening effects of wine, in to the dull glassy hue of the confirmed idiot; his deep and heavy breathings, the livid ex pression of his countenance ; while the cold sweat trickled from his lofty brow. End less, seemed that night of agony to the heart of the tortured Marian. The past, with the vividness of reality in all its terrors, rose to her imagination; the form of her mother ap peared to her view, and the fearful maledic tions of that parent sounded in her ears, till with a cry of agony, she sank to the floor, wildly beseeching her Maker, to avert this fearful doom, and punish not so severely her youthful fault. For hours she watched be side the insensible man bathing his cold clam my brow, with her fast flowing and scalding tears. When reason gained its empire, no words of reproach fell from her gentle lips, but she kindly attended to his wants, and with fond caresses soothed his irritable nerves. But the fatal barrier had been passed, the poi soned bowl had been tasted; the excitement of the last evening must be renewed, to strengthen his irembling nerves. His even ings, were no longei spent in the calm enjoy ment of domestic bliss. The Theatre, club, and bar room, received his nightly homage • the terrible suffering depicted in the sunken cheek and tearful eyes of his once gay and happy wife, smote with remorse his guilty soul, and made him fear to meet reproof, from those dark and gentle orbs. A total neglect of business soon succeeded • losses, heavy and unexpected, followed in quick succession. His credit became impair ed, and his friends painfully anticipated the the hour of his ruin. On the wings of the whirlwind was it borne ; his counting house was closed, his property levied upon, and his tenderly nurtured Marian, and helpless child, cast penniless upon an unfeeling world, while he, the cause of all this woe, sunk to the low est state of degredation, deserted by his whi lom friends, remained still, an object of most intense affection to his heart-broken wife. Marian, determined to fulfill to its utmost, limit her sacred pledge of love. Her days were spent in continual toil, to acquire the necessities of life, for those far dearer to her than her own existance. No murmur escap ed her lips; not one word of reproach to wards the author of all her sufferings. She ministered to his necessities and banished from her countenance every appearance of grief, during his short presence in their once happy home. In the course of time, another care was added to the already overburdened heart of poor Marian, by the birth of a daughter. The bitter cup of poverty, had been sipped to the dregs. Hope had nearly faded from her view, and Despair with giant strides, was making deep inroads into her overcharged heart. On the morning of the day when cur nar rative opens, in an humble dwelling near the borders of the city, Marian Grey, with an in fant reposing in her arms, was alternately plying the busy needle, and caressing a love ly boy of four years, who, seated at her feet, possessed himself of the sweet little hand of the lovely babe. She was aroused from her occupation, by a strange step and hurried breathing at the door; when, hastily casting her eyes in its direction, joy and amazement took momentary possession of her soul. The exclamation “mother !” burst almost convul sively from her lips; a moment more, she lay at her feet, bathing them with her tears. Ihe accidental meeting of an old friend, made Mrs. C. acquainted with the complete destitution of her only child, and the moral degradation ol her husband. Her resolution, was instantly formed and executed. She started for their home fully persuaded, that her child would now thankfully return to her. and cheerfully agree to a perpetual separation from her unworthy partner. We have wit nessed the anger and departure of the disap pointed woman ; we have heard her renewed maledictions ringing in the ears of her almost frantic child who was lying prostrate on the earth, wildly entreating the Bounteous Giver oi all good, to let this cup of anguish pass from her. “Oh, God, have mercy upon thy despairing servant; meekly, and unrepining, have I borne my sorrows, heavy and hard, has been my affliction; oh, let my unceasing duty as a wife, my tears and sufferings, be •offered in atonement of a daughter’s disobe dience.” Her feelings, calmed in a measure by the outpouring of her creaking heart be fore the throne of grace, she arose from her desolate posture, seated herself in her chair, took both of her little ones in her arm ••; and, giving free vent to her feelings, wept long and bitterly—thus passed the remaining hours oi that eventful day. When night spread his mantle over the earth, Marian, still a prey to the excitement of her feelings, remained seated in her chair, her arms reclining upon the table, white her head was buried wuthin them. Feelings most agitating to her frame, had taken entire pos-