A Contrast [pp. 780-784]

SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
When she first left her native village, she was a
stranger to the vices so prevalent among the young in
modern times. But easy is the task to imbibe wrong
sentiments-to learn that revenge is noble-that the end
justifies the means, and that she who can best dissemble, most secretly effect her purposes, is most praiseworthy and admired.
Her feelings naturally ardent, needed but an exciting
cause to call into active exercise some of the most uncontrollable, and unamiable passions. Clara might have
made, with proper government when young, an excellent woman. But no early discipline had prepared her
for usefulness and happiness. An only daughter, the
heiress of a large estate and honorable name, and possessed of many personal graces-she had known no
restraints-met with no crosses to her inclinations, and
had been taught, by precept and example, that admiration, conquest, dress and fashion, were the objects at
which she should tend-the summit of her ambition.
Mrs.Clayton had endeavored to instil good principles
in all her pupils' minds; but what can the lessons of the
school-room effect, when the family circle extinguishes
all the good feelings produced during a few hours instruction? Self-love was Clara's idol-self-love, alas! is
too often the destroyer of its worshipper.
Williams soon became an open admirer of Miss Clayton. Gifted with talents, fortune, and a person of uncommon elegance, his mind well stored with literature,
and his heart, though uninfluenced by solid piety, yet
feelingly alive to miany noble and brilliant virtues, he
was formed to love with all the deep fervor of a virtuous soul, and formed to be beloved by one who could
appreciate his character. No sooner did Williams declare himself the friend and equal of MissClayton, than
the line of demarkation which had been drawn by the
proud and rich gave way, and it soon became quite as
fashionable to admire the gentle Matilda, as it had been
to pay homage to her wealthier cotemporaries.
Nor did Williams alone desert Miss Wilton's ranks.
Among her former suitors was a young man of dissipated character, but polished manners, who would, no
doubt, have been a successful competitor for her hand,
had not Williams appeared upon the stage. Between
these two, no good feelings existed; and no sooner did
Dudley discover his attachment to Matilda, than he
determined to oppose him. For some months no event
occurred worth recital. Rumor declared Williams the
future husband of Matilda; while Dudley, tired of his
new flame, again returned to flatter the beautiful
Clara.
It was evident that she was not happy, and also that
the desertion of Williams was a source of real mlortification; yet still her fondness for her rival continued,
and she even seemed more devoted than ever to the society of her friend. Matilda loved her, and fondly iraagined that she was likewise beloved. But the time for
her marriage drew near. Clara possessed her confidence, and apparently enjoyed the approaching good
fortune of her friend. At this juncture, business called Williams unexpectedly from the state. With a
beating heart he bid adieu to his betrothed, promising
to write every post, and extorting from her a like favor. One letter only was received from him, and that
was cold and brief. Added to this, she was told that
his departure was a finesse to avoid the fulfilment of
his engagement-that he had spoken disrespectfully of
her, and that she need not expect any farther tidings
from him. But Matilda believed it not. She wrote. In
a short time her letter was returned unopened. Still
she could not believe him false. A month rolled by-a
month of anguish, of suspense-but nothing farther was
heard from him.
During this timne Williams had received letters from
his friends advising him to return no more-that Matilda had deceived him-that her conduct was improper
in the extreme-that the story of her mother's widowhood was an artful tale, invented to conceal the ignominiousbirth of herdaughter, and that they were proved
to be exiles from home, forced off by the resentment of
their family. He, too, received a letter from Matilda,
requesting to be exonerated from her vows, alleging
a former attachment as the cause, which she declared
herself unable to overcome. Nor did it end here. Dudley and Cla a had so managed that the minds of the
public should be prepared for the event of Williams'
desertion; and the unhappy girl soon founid that not only
had her lover fled, but with him her character, and of
course her peace. At Williams' request their school had
been dismissed, and thus were they left, with sullied
fame, and without the means of future support. In
vain did they endeavor to investigate the matter. No
one stepped forward to assist them, save some who
lacked the ability to succor those whom they believed in
nocent. Two years passed by, and found their situation deplorable indeed. A deep melancholy had seized
the widow's mind; their efforts to re-assume their former office failed, and they were poor, friendless and afflicted. Matilda bore it with becoming dignity-all that
industry and prudence could effect was done-but the
rose was fled from her cheek, and the smile of peace
was gone. Only by the bed side of the poor and dying,
or afflicted, and within the walls of the house of God,
did she venture to stray. But the influence of virtue
will sooner or later be felt. Public sentiment cannot
long remain stationary, and a reaction seemed gradually
taking place in the Claytons' favor. Again they requested to be patronised, and a few persons resolved
again to try them. The fever of excitement was passed,
and the minds of the community, as they grew more
calm, began to look more closely into the nature of the
case; and many now wondered that they had been so
credulous as to believe whatwas so slightly proven. But
it is needless to descend to particulars-suffice it to say,
that they were again placed in a situation of comparative
comfort; and many who had secretly shown some kindness to the sufferers, now boldly espoused their cause,
and openly declared their belief in their innocence.
Clara was still unmarried, and her deep hatred to Matilda now began to assume a more tangible form. No
opportunity escaped her and Dudley, to asperse her character; and so marked was their enmity, that it attracted
general attention.
Twelve months passed by, and their school increased,
and with it their favor with the greater portion of their
acquaintances. Dudley and Clara were to be married, and a great excitement existed in expectation of
the gaieties of the scene. Never had such preparations
been known, and consequently the approaching marriage
was the theme of every tongue. The evening before the
wedding, a larg eparty of the young men of the village
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