Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1803-05-13

ut that age, when she most requirs adj
vice and protection. shah not offend
you with excuses for the trouble / give in
con6ding her to your care until she ar
rives. II years Of maturity for ] know
your generous heart win not hesitate TO
adopt the orphan Of man who has ever
been united you with brotherly afeeti-
on. ''''> = = - =. = - - :
Basil could not speak for tears, whilst
Lauta's father paused for breath, and
then continued " = -, -. ~ a
"You must not weep said he, "be.
cause you see me depart At these years.
l am only rs weary traveller, who, ha-
wing long bufeted the tempest, feels his
anxiety decrease at the prospect <of an
approaching calm, I shall exchange a
pfecasious existence for more lasting
and happy one in worlds Of bliss. I.only
lament the dangers TO which my child
may be exposed, unless . friend shields
her from the temptations ofinfamy. Pro-
mise me that you win do this; Il is my
dying wish, your own conscience win APP
Plaud you for,it in this world, and Hea-
ven, that beholds the exertion Of the viz
tuous with pleasure, win reward you for
IL in the next" >. ~ ~
Basil with difficulty sobbed out, ssI
WILL" and in the same moment his friend
expired Here let Us pause moment,
and request our readers to initiate the exs
ample Of the good |; who, BY walking in
the paths pointed out by our great crea-
TOR, are always enabled to meet. death
without fear; whilst the wicked, in such
moments, besides the torment of present
pains are suffering under the expectation
Of future onesfa more dreadful. -
| A mutual friendship commenced be-
tween Albert and Laura; which was
carefully encouraged by Basil; and as
they grew up they doeted more and more
upon each other. The early part oftheir
lives was spent amidst the greatest Joys.
LAURA was famed for al the accomplish
ments that 20 eminently distinguished her
sex, Albert imbibed from his country
men Ill those sentiments of liberty and
true benevolence which are the leading
characteristies ofa freeborn people. When
he was in his nineteenth year, he, one
afternoon, led the blushing Laura into
parlouf where she venerable Basil was
sitting with the holy Bible before him,
commenting on the wisdom Of his Maker,
and adoring bis works. His two chil.
dren fell upon their knees: |. Father"
said Albert, 1--WE hope that we have al
ways done our duty to you; at leastwe
can say that we ehdeavored to fulfil it,
You have constantly told US our lhappi-
ness i the most Important consideration
that occupies your: mind, give, then,
your consent to our union, and Heaven
viii surely bless marriage which is
founded in love, and sanctioned by the
consent Of a good parent"
"My dear children" replied Basil "I
can lay my hands upon this sacred book,
and say, that ] have done my best for
your welfare, and comfort, God forbid
that I should be the means of making you
uneasy in such a request as this, when
there seems a prospect of so much happi.
ness in store for both. Go, sweetest
joys Of my heart be married when you
viii, and my blessings attend YOU" !.
s Albert and Laura retired to felicitate
each other on their good fortune. The
neighbours assembled, and decorated
their cottage with garlands and other fan
tastic inyentionsi nothing was seen on
the plain but dancing, festivity, and pre-
Parations forthe following morning, when
the ceremony Was to take place. Cons
gratulations were whispered in their ears
from every one. and the time passed on
joyially, till evening began to approach:
they perceived alta distance one Of their
friends descend with swiftness the noun
tain, atthe foot ofwhich they were SPORT
ingi terror was on his countenance-
Cease, young men" Your country is
threatened By IN ambitious foe,> and Il is
only by the courage of its inhabitants that
l. - L. - } ,-