Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-01-12
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TIE NEW YEAR's GIFT.


ward Hans first saw Lucy Evans, AT d
village ball, whittier she had for the first
time been permitted to join her young
companions. Edward was just twenty.
one, an age when young men are apt t.
fall in love; il Is true he had imagined
himself in love a dozen times before, but
when he saw Lucy, he ielt convinced
his hour was really come. AS for the
beautiful Lucy, she was just sixteen, and
had not the most remote idea Of beng III
love with any thing beside the dancing,
in which she joined with all the spirit
and gaiety SO natural at her age; and
had it not been for humidity, she would
have laughed outright at the fine speeches
Edward contrived to make her, tor lie
was her partner. Nevertheless, she was
| pleased with his manners and address,
| and no, at all sorry when he asked per-
| mission TO see her home. Ed~ ard was
| delighted with the consent obtained, he
was introduced to Lucy's father, for
whom, though u venerable looking old
man, he did not conceive SO violent n
penchant as he had for the charming
daughter, he imagined the old man had
an auslere physiognomy, aud that he
examined hun with a scrutinlzIng eye.
Edward went home and dreamed all
night Of Lucy Evans; he mentally com
pared her appearance at the bail with
that Of the other village girls, and the
modest simplicity Of her attire, formed a
striking contrast, to the gaudy frippery
Of theirs, her bright chestnut ringlets,
simply confined by a combs appeared to
him far more charming than the ribbands
and flowers with which her companions
had decorated their hair; but above all,
her ingenious smile, and artless gaie,y
enchanted him. The next day Edward
called to see Lucy; besides the pretext
of enquiring after her health, j, was New
Years day, and in that part oflhe world,
it was customary for friends, neighbours,
and even slight acquaintances, to pay
each other friendly visits, and mutually
exchange good wishes for the Ntw Year.
it is a delightful custom and tends much
towards keeping up that social and
friendly intercourse which is the charm
o fsociety, and It seems to me that friends
and neighbours after nesting, shaking
hands; and wishing each other a "Happy
.New Year, must in reality wish to do
all in their power to promote each others
happiness be that as it may, Edward
Hans wished Lucy Evans n happy New
Year with his whole heart, and perhaps
he secretly wished, that he might be per-
TO make it SO. Edward called
frequently at the house ofold Mr.. Evans,
but could never divest himself o. the idea
that the father Of Lucy regarded him
with austerity. The fact was Edward
had been rather a wild youth, and not
ably attentive 20 business, and the
old man knew it; he o discovered the
Young mans Partially for his Lucy, and
could moi help suspccting that Lucy felt
inclined to favour him: she was the dar-
ling OF his heart, the oniy one remaining
To him of Il numerous family, his Chief
so!ace and companion since he had los.
her excellent mother, and the old man
felt that he could not guard bis treasure
with too mach care, nevertheless there
was something IN young Hans which in
HIM in his %favorr, and the very
circumstance of his loving Lucy, was a
recommendation to her father. Old Ev-
ans was reported to be rich, and report
for once spoke truth; he thought if pos
sibie that the idea Of wealth might be
some attraction 10 the young man, and
he determined TO make u trial Of his sin
cerity lie watched him closely, and at
the end of six months was convinced tina,
Hans attended a%ssiduously to business,
aud was entirely wcaned from his youth
full .follies; nevertheless he forbore to |
give him the least encouragement, mere
Iy treati-g him with distant civil,ty.
One day he surprised his darling Lu-
cy in tears, and as Edward had just left
her, he half suspected their source. He
inquired Of her 9 why she was weepingHl
Lucy remained silent. Tell me, child
said the old man, lis not Edward Hans
the cause of your tears, has he not been
p~ersuading you to leave your old father,
to marry him in spite Of your parents
disapprobation. Cob, no my dear ia
Their, answered the trembling girl, ed
ward lanenis your dislike to him, which
IS so evident, he says he loves me, and
always shall, but will never urge me to
marry him contrary to your wishes, and
rather than make Us unhappy, he will
leave off coming to sec me-, though he
knows he shall be miserable Pooh!
nonsensor exclaimed old Evans, swho
ever heard Of a boy dying for Iovc' mis-
cradle, indeed! we will see! but listen to