Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-04-10

were directed 70 Gien cottage, anu bs si'oi''
game, fish, or even a wreath Of Wild towers'
were used as pretext for the visit But much
as he revered the old man and admired ms
daughter, Mr.. Thornby never mentioned their
names to his gay companions, or led them near
| tie retreat Of Batter, who delighted to talk OF
! him to his friend the Domlnie. The Oh man.
| who, as hintcd before, did not possess much
worldly wisdom, expressed las impatieHce 20
see their new friend. nor oh ne rec"
! in Lettys downcast eye aud burning cheeS,
! the secret Of her hosom. Meantime, some ou-
| sincss that called 1hoTnby home, and detlhed
| him for some weeks. convinced hun no" dear
| lie simple rustic had become TO hiu--he signed
| and wished she was we'll born, how glall
would lie marry her--snd his heart sSeilc9
with rapture at the idea Of passing his lie with
| her but il chilled him to think she was "A Toll.
Ca,herers daughter. lie determined to forget
her bur the next moment he tho't o. her so
lovely and gentle, that he set oft again tor
(:len's FaIls.-llis heart beat when he msfked
the flush Of joy that lit up Letty's beautiful
ewes when she saw him. Tbornby talked of
loye-alth0ugh Lefty was silent, her bushes
plainly told what her lips dared not TO ultet.-
One day as they we're slFoillng thfo' the N"ods
that lined the banks Of the stream, Lefty inter
ruptcd her lover ~ the midst OF an ardent De.
c,alation, by looking up with blushng check
~ 5tiN H+liptNthlN hA4tl, bHh "'b w. us
narry,"---"Magg,' sad Jhouby, with tic
sir Of man just awakened from dream--"O!
we will ngt think OF that dear Lefty" and
throwing his arms round Ter, eve can love With
out marriage. LEFTY Withdrew from his EN-
brace, and said in an earnest tone, "then, al
though YOU love me better than lie, you 10
not think Of marriage" rhornby was rather
disconcered but replied, "My family, dearest
girl. is rich and honorable, and----- sand
am the daughter OF beggsr, " said Lefty. Il
see it all in VAN, weak girl ttati was; but you,
Sir, though great and rich man, should nave
been merciful one. Better" said tue poor
girl, unable to repress her tears, "better have
left me to die in tie road then break my heart"
AS half choaked with sobs she uttered these
words, she FASTENED from her asonshed lover. |
lie followed her, imporing her PARDON Let
ty stopped, ana with an effort that sent the
blood to her heart, babe him depart for ever,
and not forget that her father, tho old and IN
firm, could protect his child from Insult"
There is dignity in virtue, that even IN the
simple words Of Lefty, awed her admirer- a
woman Of polished edueation might have eA-
pressed her entments 10 finer and more touch,
ing language, but she could not have shewn
greater hrmness and dignity Of mind than did
the humble rustic. Lefty walked, Or rather
ran home, and throwing herself on her bed,
literally lifted up hervoce and wept bitterly.
Violent agitation working on mind unused to
great emotion, produced fever, which Jeop-
ardzed her life for a few days Her parents,
and her friend the minister, watched BY her side
in sorrow Her life was granted to their ten
der prayers Lefty recovered, but she was no
longer the cheerful being who had gladdened
the hearts of her friends, The minister related
her history to l lady in the neighborhood, who
interested by his story, prevailed upon her pa
rents to consentt to her residing with her entire
", while she bestowed upon the old man
comfortable house, and a small but well stock
ed farm Mrs. w. had retired from a world
she had seen too much Of, and knew too well
to love; but she had brought to her retirement
a mind well cultivated and fond ofuseful knowl-
edge. She took delight III opening to her pro-
tegee these copIous stores, and while she mn |
parted substantial knowle 1ge she also gave her !
a refinement of taste and manner, OF which, |
from her education, she was necessarily desti- |
tute. Two years gIded on, but in the midst OF
her benevolent plans, Mrs. w died, anc Let !
ty returned to her parents, wiser but not LAP. |
pier. She had gained refinement and cuiuSf~
ton, but she had not that willingness TO be hap |
by, if may express it, that marked her ear !
her days The simple pleasures that once
would have ceased her heart to beat with rap !
ture, were now dull and yapid, and she was
shocked TO perceive that the recollection of |
the luxuries she enjoyed in Mrs. VS. man
sion, rendered her at ilr,t Disconnected with the
humble habits Of her fathers cottsge. At TINS !
period. neighboring farmer, young & wealthy |
offered his hand TO Lefty. Her parents urged |
her to accept him, and at length. weaned by
their opportunities she consented to give her
hand but protested that she could not bestow !
her heart week before the intended mar
rage was to take place, as one evening the Ia !
mily were enjoying, at the porch OF the house.
the cool b,eezes OF twilight, an exclamation OF
alarm from Lefty caused her father to look up |
from his Bible, when he recognized tue tea-
lures Of rhornby, Come not here, young man,
said the indulgent fIher--depart in while you /
by, and psss'ks TIE olaAnan, he threw himself |
at Letty's feet and imp!ored her forgiveness !
i have been wretched wanderer, he said, but
with Lcttys pardon and yours, sir, turning to
Butler, l shall find happiness and rest 1t is
no, necessary to state that the loEg loved horn
by did not plead.l vaia. The farmer was dismiss
ed. and in week the lovers were united BY
the venerable pastor Though moving IN pol
ished circles and fashionable society, Thornby
never had cause TO blush for the Toil-Iatherers
Iauuhtar