The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-10-17
Ltters from, .urs. Horton 10 her Daugtfff
founded on fact.

funded ON .taet.
Mr. DEAR GARoLIsE - We bad 4
very agreeable loutney on our return from
- ard found all well ut hume. Tins
was cause of gratitude and praise In onr
gracious Presefsef. But We received pain.
fal lidings immediately upon our return. OF
the situation of your Uncle Parks famiI,
We were informed that The hninhlsiiy
Witch has sometime suhsisted between
Judge Ralston and Esq. Parks, had cotne
la IN open rupture thai IN the course Of u
violent alteration the former reproached
your uncle with practising insiduous ariii-
ces In draw his son into an alliance with
his family--nn alliance " hich hr drspsed
Il the completion OF which he WIS otter
mined should never be effected. Your I'M
Gle still more proud and passionate, denied
the charge rs false, and withal swnre with
an oath, that his daughter shauld receive
no more visits from his sou, aud il should
be nj his peril if he ever more presumed To
enter his doors. Ner did he delay IN in
form bis daughter Of this rash procedure,
aud extort II promise from her, 10 dissolve
her connection with Mr.. Raslon immedi-
ately. THIS demand, 80 sudden and dis
tressing, pressed toe with rigorous srseri.
~, quite overpowered the gentle spirit of
Lucinda; she fainted, and was carried
scnseless To her chamber, and has been Ill
ever since. This was the substance of The
information we received of this unhappy
ALTAR, at the time mentioned above. |
called on yonr dear aunt in tie morning
and found her oppressed with anxiety for
her daughter. She informed me she had
suffered much in her body, IN consequence
of the severe distress OF her mind, took
scarce any sustenance, and she believed
had little sleep; was lndlsposcd for con.
4ersation, and wcpt almost necessarily. |
enq,r.d, is not her father affected by her
suiieringsf" She replied, she knows little
of them he has not seen or enquired after
her since she was carried s.nseless from
his presence. | have attempted 10 gain
his attention 10 IA recital of her distress hut
he will rec, i've no information on the sub
lectp ! enquired "what she thought
would be the result of these painful cir
,rmstanees?" Alas she replied, ="
fear 1t will result in the death of my be.
loved child | draw this painful conclu.
sion continued she) from the knowledge
have of the inncxibity of my husbands
never yields contest. And
sph ~ Iuciuda's excessive attachment To
Mr. Ralston, that d, sitnte as she is of ~
ligioos principles, | do not think she
could support separation from him. |
have continued my sister, frequently nd
dressed her upon the subject, and warned
her Of the peculiar danger attending her in |
forming such "A connection, from the gus
Of her heart and the strength |
and visaclty OF her imagination. But you
know, my sister, II is our nnhappincss To
profit little from the experience of offers"
| cnqnlred, "does Mr.. r. yet know what
has taken place ~ She replied, he does.
lie came here yesterday supecling mo-
thing. Ut was VIII my husband was not
at hone.l lie WAN mncL disturbed by the
gave him. lie however nat
tered himself with the hope that the pre-
sent fermentation would snb3ide, and the
fathers on both sides be brought 10 a better
temper. lie desired IN interview with
which | could not refuse, but
warned him of the danger of iarrying long.
Indeed was IN continual agitation while
he WAS IN her chamber, aud was finally
compelled to interrupt them, and hasten
his departure. lie attempted 10 console
my child at parting, by expressing conf
dence he should soon ser hes, again, and in
agreeable circumstances" mo, my dear
Henry" exclaimed she in an agony of dis
iress, +" something within foI bids the hope,
aud tells me our separation is determined,
determined" He hurried out
of the chamber To conceal his stroug emo.
tions. In passing down stairs, he said,
" Oh, my dear madam, the scene | have
passed through has wholly unnamed mn
my heart is ready In burst with conflicting
passiops-mosi Of all ii dstresses me, thai
Lucinda considers i.ersclf bound, by the
promise her father exturtcd from her. |
do moi think il binding, but she thinks .
iherwlse, and that she cannot retract will
out his consent. do not wish To meet
him here, but must see him speedily
The situation of your daughter excitcs "A
larm Her delicate frame is already 81
yerely shocked. As TO see this idol of my
affections thus reduced, thus afflicted, is
distressing beyond expression. Oh, my
dear madam, added he after a gush oil
iears,) should your lovely daueh be torn
from me, $50 firmly is she rivettcd 10 my
heart) | could not survive the stroke ~
q Ny dear Mr.. Ralston,o returned | !" con
slider You are Il Christian, yea more, n
minister of ille gospel y add pray for assis
lance from above, that however severe
your trials may prove, you may be ena-
bled 10 act agre.ahly to your sacred char
acier aud profession, exhibiting that sub
mission 10 the will of God under affective
disprusations, thai II is your duty 10 enjoin
on others. His feelings would not suffer
him 10 speak,--he grasped my hand and
hurried away.
"My husband, continued your aunt) re-