The Akron Offering: The Literary Magazine of a Progressive Canal Town (1849-1850), Complete and Annotated

August, 1849

138 THE AKRON OFFERING. August, 1849. Norman and Cornelia Campbell, OR “Truth Stranger Than Fiction.” By C. Cumings. Chapter IV. Gentle Reader, Norman Campbell is before you. His early promise of beauty and nobleness is more than realised. You mark his commanding form and figure, the noble contour of his head that tells of intellectual strength, of moral greatness and passions all subservient. The kindling glance of his dark eyes that beam with thought, with hope and happiness, combined with his gentle suavity of manners, completes the fascination of his appearance, and it is acknowledged that there are some natures that can not be corrupted. But he now introduces the companion of his journey, who had entered the house at the same moment that Cornelia met her Brother. He was a moment unnoticed, and in that short space of time, a passing glance at each of the unguarded group, revealed the true feeling of their hearts. His own throbbed with an almost uncontrollable impulse of sympathy as he looked upon the sister of his friend, as he is presented to her, while the tears of glad emotion are still lingering on her cheek, as she turns to welcome her Brother’s friend, and all unconsciously to themselves, their hearts are receiving a mutual impression of regard that can never, no never, be erased. August, 1849 139 And who is he that she should love him? his name is Charles Elton; he is the son of a poor, but eloquent and pious Clergyman, and is entirely dependant on himself. Of so much her Brother had informed her in one of his letters . He is small in stature and his golden hair floats over a forehead of such dimensions as a Phrenologist would now love to look upon;1 but it is the eye and mouth that fascinate—each tells of brilliant wit and easily excited feelings , and yet over all, there is an expression of stern determination that can not fail to mark him as one who will yield no point of his own code of honor. Such is the being who is to be for several weeks, an almost daily visitor at the house of Mr. Campbell. Cornelia, from consideration for William Benton, had not told her Uncle or Brother of his proposition to her, believing it of no consequence; but his eye is on her as she gazes on the handsome stranger, and he reads a tale of mutual love; but, he repeats to himself as he leaves the house, “I will mar her peace!—let her love him, but hide, oh! my soul, the exquisite revenge I will have on her, on him, and on her proud Brother, who looks as if descended from a long line of Kings, and born to rule even those who have wealth that can, that shall crush him!!” “Hark ye,” says old Francis, “talk not so loudly, or others may hear your soliloquies, and become aware of the uncertain tenure by which you hold your boasted possessions. By the by, sir, I am getting old, my foolish love for my old Master’s son has kept me silent, but as your riches are now at your own disposal, you are to secure me an annuity to please my own ideas of living, or I shall take the right course to obtain it.” “Yes, yes old man you shall have all you ask; so now be quiet and leave me,” said Mr. Benton as he turned angrily away to brood over the fiendish feelings that were searing and scathing the last feeble remains of good that had ever tried to find a place in his heart. As soon as he could command himself sufficiently he sought out Henry Herbert, a young man, who with his Uncle, Julius Herbert, had been a resident of their little village about one year. Julius Herbert was a widower of forty-five years of age—his nephew was his partner in the mercantile business and ostensibly, heir to his reputed immense wealth. Henry Herbert was twenty-five years of age and as far as features and complexion were concerned was handsome; but to Cornelia Campbell, whom he admired, he was peculiarly disagreeable. 1. See n. 16, p. 87. The Akron Offering 140 Benton had a game of his own to play, and chose Henry Herbert as an instrument to accomplish his own purposes. He accosted him...