American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-07-14
From the "Furester."
Michael Forester and .agnes Hau.

| Neither Michael Forester nor Agnes Hsy. knew
that they in love with each other. Indeed for
Two or three years past it had almost seemed as if
there had been some slight shadow thrown over the
| friendship of the two families. Accidental causes
such will often arise in the least varied lot, had
made the footpath less frequently trodlen that led
from Dovenest TO Sprinkeld. But where there is
sincere and welliounded mutual affection in good
hearts, it remains unimpaired among all hindrances
interruptions. or absence. Pleasant remembranees
OF words and looks supply the place of actual inter
changes OF kindness, and, perhaps, the softened
images of innocent delight, returning OF their own
accord upon our hearts, do more than any thing
else in this world to attach US 70 those with whom
that delight had been enjoyed Agnes Hay wa.
/ frequently hearing the character Of Michael Eores.
ter spoken OF by those whom she most respected in
terms Of tie highest praise-his talents his indus
try, his uprightness and what was even more touch.
ing to her heart than them all, his hal piety and
his fond attachment to his infatuated br other. Some
times she thought what happiness II would have been
had she been his daug her--or his sister--or any
near blood relation, that she might have had the
privileges OF an inmate Of his household. She had
indeed scarcely one single relation living but Aunt
Isobel, as she had called her from infancy the good
old lady who was her protectress. Such Thoughts
passed through her heart oener than she was aware
but without any dstui bance o feeling; for although
she interchanged ahectionate greetings with Mi
chael Forester every Saba at church and MOI un
frequently saw him on ordinary week .day occasions,
her heart was entirely free from passion, Never
had she fallen into single vain d cam OF hi m and
his dwelling; so hat had he married anotner it did
not seem to Agnes that such an even, would have
affected or at least diminished he happiness OF her
contentsd lie. And yet when Aunt Isohe in speak
ing OF his excellence, had once said what happy
woman would be The wife of Michael Forester,
Agnes had unconsc'ously turned away her face, and
as he did So her eyes fell upon the geraniums in
their rich and variegated glow which she had recei
we'd from him, and had tended with assiduous care,
she herself thought entirely for the cake Of their
own beauty.
With Michael Forester the case was somew hat
different He was 6tteen years older than Agnes.
and al,hou the growing charms OF her wopuanhood
had gradually inspired him with far other feelings
than those with which he had been accustomed to
regard the pretty little child that be had often led
by the hand through his gardens, and sent away
happy as fairy with bunch OF fowers--yet a
sense of the disparity OF years which to him seemed
far greater than 1t was in reality, kept down. if it
were even IN his conscience, any fonder affection for
Agnes az she had been stealing into the beauty OF
her prime. 1t seemed impossible that she could
love him and that belief in the mind of such m an
all vain hopes, and reconciled him w,hou,
much pain to The though of some day seeing Agnes
Hay the wife OF another. He therefore strove with
himself, and not altogether nsuccesstully not in
deed to abstain from her society, for that WAS i'm
possible, but to regard her at all times as one tc
whom he could never be more than friend, or a
brother, or father. Sometimes in the quiet of Q
beautiful summer evening, when in his silent leisure
his mind unconscious1y framed pictures Of he future
he elt that to Agnes Hay he could be all these and
more far more than them all that TO see her beauti
full countenance at that lattice window-her delight
tu figure walking along that green her white al ms
employed IN training the roses around the trellice
work of that humble porch, to hear her name him
in the familiar words OF love- and tune her soft voice
especially for his earthoughts like these did some
tir,es indeed overpower him for he had led pure
and unstaued life, vice had wither ed no. one fibre Of
his heart, he had wasted none OF his best emotions
on unworthy OBJECTS that his visions of dome sic
happiness wer, bright and strong, and he looked on
them with the same solemn, deyout, and sacred spirit
with which on the Sabbath day ne entert The Ilacs
set apart tor worship But still the belief recu red
that Agnes could not love him--that she would one
day be another mans wife and in depriying him
self OF the dangerous enjoyment Of his own loving,
almost imprisoned houghs-he felt that such self
denial brough, it's own recompense and frightened
that happiness which Providence had allowed him to
enjoy without either fear or blame, and which he
huinbly acknowledged suficien. for content.
ment and gratitude.
One beautiful Sabbath evening, Michael Forester
> was walking ty himself along the banks of the Esk,
and met Agnes Hay going to Roslin 10 bring home
her aunt. who had that day attended divine service
IN that church. The meeting at such time, and
in such state of their affections, felt by them
both to be more than unusually happy Agnes took
hlichaels arm with cheerful willingness, and they
spoke of every thing most interesting to the welfare
of their respective homes. The sweet serenity OF
the afternoon in perfect unison with that of their
own hearts, and Agnes, the orphan Agnes. with such