The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-07-15
NO. 40.

lIghtful hope, that mere name would De
the nsupcrablc barrier to the accomplish
mcnt of our mutual wishes.
Her urgent entreaties, and the confidence
with which she adverted to the latter allur-
ing argument, finally overpowered my weak
opposition. But by that holy name, before
whose Judgment seat ! am about so soon to
appear, swear to you, reverend sir, that no.
thing passed between us, which my con-
science at that awful hour, can reproach me.
A tender embrace, and reciprocal assure
ance of attachment and constancy, were all
that wished for, attempted to obtain, or she
permitted.
" At length, my father expired and some
weeks afterwards, she renewed her entrea-
ties and persuasons for me to procure legal
advice for our guidance. dared not unde-
ceive myself; but in proportion as my love
for her augmented, my once confident hope
Of ever possessing her had declined. AT
length, trembling for her sake, and desper-
ately desirous OF putting an end to the DIS
tracing uncertainty in which l existed,
FASTENED to the nearest advocate, and unre-
servcdly confidcd to him every circumstance
Of our situation. He inspired me with hope,
instantly dispatching a petition in my name
to the High Ecclesiastical Court for dis
pensation but, either, from ignorance or
earclessncss, (for would not impute worse
motives to my countryman) he touched SO
lightly on the important point OF the uncon-
summatcd, yet legally concluded marriage,
that a double motive, and a dark, arttul de-
| sign was, with too much seeming justice, at
terwards imputed to us on that account.
Imagine to yourself our transports OF
iov, when at the end of three weeks, we re-
cciyed the most ample permission to marry;
and from a state of tormentng anxiety, we
were at once elevated to the calm confidence
of bliss in our approaching union. Can you
doubt the purity of our attachment, when
affirm to you, by the Omnipresent Deity
that, Notwithstanding this permission, not
wthstanding she was my very shadow, and
watched every look of mine to obey it; tho
| loved her with ndiscribable ardour, and
thought of nothing but how might best pro-
mote her happiness, and certainly might
with word, have induced woman who
loved me far better than herself, to dare ev-
cry thing for my sake, l repeat that more
than four weeks went by, without any thing
more having passed between US, which We
could not without hesitation, or the fear OF
blame, have confessed to the severest inquls-
itor of our conduct.
1--WE no longer kept our love or our inten-
tions secret from the world; but made O.
pen preparations for our approaching we'd
ding, and by the singularity OF the event, eX-
cited the curiosity and attention OF our nelgh-
bors, already envious of our felicity The
magistrate interfercd, commanded MS to post
ponc our marriage, and made report OF the
whole affair to the Ecclesiastical Court.
God alone knows the reason which induced
them to resolve upon anew proceeding, which
annulcd their former decision; but sure
am, that the distraction of the unfortunate
traveller, who feels himself reeling down the
edge of an unfathomable precipice, cannot be
compared to mine, when was summoned to
appear before them, and heard the over
whclming sentence which prohibited our IL
MON. And then her tears, her grief, her
miscry-to describe our feelings, would be
far beyond our powers cannot-will not
{ do tit would only give unnecessary pam
to your friendly heart, and shake that reso'
luton which will ere long be so necessary for
my own support"
Here the unhappy man paused for some
f minutes ;--tcars no longer to be restrained,
burst from his ewes; and mine, l acknowl-
edge, flowed freely; he perceived them.
gratefully pressed my offered hand and con-
tinued his sad tale.
"Thc decree Of the church ordered US to
move to separate habitations, but neither for
bad my seeing nor conversing with my step
mother, AS She was now denominated, as Of
ten as pleased. All hope had not yet van
, ished, of once more changing our destiny by
. a new representation and as my persua-
sions and arguments alone withheld the
| wretchod girl from adopting the most des-
rcratc measures and my own misery found
its only relief in her society, now become in
dispensable to my happiness, ! was by her
side from morning till night, yet still guilt
, less as ever.
ALAS neighbor who was often with
us, and who manifested real compassion for
our sufferings, had the imprudence one day
, to say before us, that were he in my place,
he would not scruple to pursue an other
course-that the object of the court, was
merely to cxtort money from us, and that in
his opinion, iiving proof of our love, would
. procure permission for our marriage, soon-
er than all the advocates in Germany.
"Of what use would it now be to me, wor
thy sir, to boast of forbearance which can no
] longer gain me any advantage or avert my
z fate, but my own heart tells me that even
this alluring sophistry would have failed to
\ work its effect, had it not made deeper i'm
preston on her mind than on mine. Her
i persuasions, arguments, and entreaties, once
!: more conquered my resolution and fondly
i cherishing the pleasing anticipation of future
! happiness, which her ardent imagination
, suggested, in fatal moment, we followed
his rash counsel.