and charming daughter, and his reputed wealth, (for it will have its attractions) it is but natural that he should be burthened with attentions. Louisa soon obtained the name of " Lily of the South." There were several young men from the South, then students at Yale, and among them was George Leonard, the handsomest and most talented young man in College. Louisa had not seen him since he was a mere stripling, and scarcely had she renewed her acquaintance with him, ere he won her admiration. George was an uncommonly interesting young man, he was handsome, polite, and genteel in his manners, and highly gifted with that talent of displaying to advantage in conversation, all the knowledge he had acquired.
"Oh," thought Louisa, when he would depart from her presence, "what a melodious voice, what a handsome face ! surely George has produced a sensation in me I have never before felt ; how interesting and intelligent he is-I think father had best leave me at school while he visits England."
The commencement was soon to take place, and Colonel Sanford remained to witness the examination of the students. George Leonard had always stood first in his class, and how Louisa's heart exulted, how her bright eyes sparkled with joy, when she learned that the first honors of the institution were awarded to him. Her father now began to observe that she took an unusual degree of interest in young Leonard, and would often warn her not to lose her heart before she became better acquainted with his general character and disposition. But it was too late to warn her, for George had already disclosed his passion to her, and though she had not told him in words, but " those looks that tell more loud than words," had betrayed her, and he felt assured that his feeling was reciprocated. Colonel Sanford, having arranged matters for his departure, with an aching heart took an affectionate leave of his daughter, with much weeping from her, and a secret regret that she had consented to a separation from her beloved parent. When George Leonard left home it was the intention of his parents for him to remain at New Haven until he completed the study of law ; but a few weeks after the departure of Colonel Sanford he received a letter from his father, then a merchant in Augusta, informing him that his house had failed, and his pecuniary circumstances would not admit of his keeping his son from home, and also advising him to return and pursue his studies, as it would be less expensive to him. George returned, but not without obtaining the consent of Louisa to their union, when she completed her education, provided her father acquiesced. Louisa felt assured that her father would not oppose her wish, as he was always eager to gratify her in every thing. "How can he," thought she, " oppose my union to
a man of George's acknowledged talents, I doubt not before the lapse of many years, his name will be upon the tongues of millions, halls will resound with his eloquence, and many will feel honored to look upon his handsome face." With how much pride was her love mingled ; how her heart swelled with exultation at the thought of becoming the wife of such a man, as she imagined George Leonard was destined to become. Shortly after George's arrival at his native town, his father removed to a small town in the newly settled part of the State, and commenced business on a smaller scale. George was spoiled by the flattery of his friends, and like many young men who have honors confered on them, he concluded that he had arrived at the acmé of perfection, and being, too, elated at the prospect of marrying the daughter of a man so opulent as Colonel Sanford, he entirely abandoned the idea of learning a profession. Having no honorable employment, and as it is natural for us to be engaged in some way, he was gradually becoming familiar with all the vices of the day ; and before the expiration of one year he had become an adept in gambling, and its accompaniment, drunkenness, and had actually grown old in vice. His father being now in reduced circumstances, was unable to furnish him with the money requisite for his course of life ; and that young man, but a short time since, the pride and hope of his family and friends, had become so debased, so destitute of all honor, as to draw large sums from various houses in the city, alleging that he would refund them after the consummation of his marriage. He did not neglect, in the mean time, to write often to Louisa, pretending he was making rapid strides in his studies. I might here pause and descant on the beauties of virtue and the deformity of vice, but my object is " to point a moral," not " adorn a tale," and I will leave that for the reader. Time rolled on with Louisa without any occurrence worthy of notice. The ensuing autumn her father returned, and took her home ; she, of course, during their journey, acquainted him with all that had transpired between herself and George Leonard. When they reached Augusta, George was the first on the wharf to welcome their arrival, and accompany them to their residence, which was only a few miles from the city. He soon unbosomed himself, begging his consent to their union. Colonel Sanford was a man of calmness and reflection, and withheld a final answer until he visited town, and learned something of George's private character. Of this, he did not receive correct information, it being generally known to George's acquaintance that he was betrothed to Louisa Sanford, they of course concealed from her father all his irregularities, and gave to him a character he did not deserve. Many who felt attached to him for his social qualities, secretly wished that marriage would produce a reformation in him. Colonel Sanford would not
