Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-09-18

hand In the way OF matrlmony, either d.
rectly or indirectly, and consequently
that have given him no verbal pledge TO
that effect. But | feel bound to say, on
this occasion, that if he had, know
no man who has better right to it, nor
any to whom could more willingly give
both my heart and hand, though GER
tainly, in such case, should first refer
him to YOU
| Now hear me, Clara, once for ALL ex-
! claimed he, passionately raising his voice.
l'you must, from this moment, break off all
intercourse with that man, otherwise,
shall forever disown you as my child. He
must no longer visit here-I shall forbid
him the house,
my dear father, recognize your pre-
rogative now, as always have done; nor
am disposed to obey your cruel injunc-
ton, however repugnant to my own feel
Iings. But may hope you will not oblge
me to disobey you hereafter?'
'How oblige your
by commanding me- to give my hand
W here my heart forbids the sacrifice; for
since you deny it to him who is worthy of
more, and to whom you stand indebted
for not being childless, have right to
claim at least the privilege, that it shall
not be another's.'
At this he got outrageous, and hurried
out OF the room, muttering disapprobation
as he went; while she resuming her seat,
soon found relief in a copious flow of
tears.
Croghan, in the evening, found Miss
Hunter by herself, and though she receiv-
ed him with her accustomed cordially,
he soon perceived in her mysterious sad
ness, which she endeavored to conceal;
but the struggle in her breast was to him
too apparent, and fearing that his presence
imposed on her painful restraint, he was
about to stand up to take his leave, when
rejecting that himself might have been
unconsciously the cause, he determined
to ask an explanation.
MY dear Miss Hunter said he, 'you
seem unusually sad. May inquire the
cause of your misery. Will you not deign
to tell me? Perhaps may be the unfor-
tunate cause myself. Do for mercy's
sake, explain to me, if am in any way
the cause Of your trouble? 1t is true, |
love you with the tenderest affection in
man, yet will submit to an eternal sepa-
ration, though less tolerable than death,
rather than see you unhappy on my ac-
count call heaven 10 witness that your
happiness is dearer to me than my own
! 'Croghan,' she replied, as soon as her
emotion would allow her to speak, 'let
me assure you, never had the least doubt
ether OF your esteem or sincerity; nor
does prudence forbid the avowal, that
your merit and esteem have been duly ap-
Feciated. But however | may be dis
posed at present, matters do not depend
wholly on my will. My father, though
one of the best of parents, is neverthe-
less, sometimes obstinate in his own opin.
lons, but if not opposed, generally does
night. One of his frailties, think is an
overfondness for me, which leads him to
think scarcely any man good enough to
be my husband; and though he is fully
Impressed with your merits & the business
OF your pretensions, yet for the present, he
fancies some objections, which little time
Will not fail to remove; and it were mex
cnsable in me not TO pay tender regard
even to his prejudices, knowing as | do,
that his chief solicitude is for my welfare.
Let me therefore entreat you not to be
disturbed by any thing he may say or do,
but leave the management to me, and
rest satisfied as to the issue, when | AS
sure you that this hand can only be
yours
Croghan who had gazed on her in ST.
lent admiration while uttering these dem.
onstrations of pious regard to her aged
parent, and heroic attachment to him.
whom she approved most worthy to be
her companion, took her hand, and i'm
pressing on it the seal of affection, said,
Dearest Clara, you have indeed raised
me from the most gloomy uncertainty to
the exquisite summit of felicity. | will
now no longer doubt that shall one day
be entitled to call those charms mine-be
that day far or near, as it shall please the
sweet arbitress of my fate, shall endeav-
or to await its arrival with PATIENCE
She then suggested The Propriety of
not prolonging his visit, not wishing that
her father, returning, should find them to-
gether; when venturing to press her IL
his throbbing bosom, he quickly took his
leave.
Meanwhile the war between the United
States and Great Britain having broken
out, and intelligence being received that
the British forces had already commenc-
ed depredations on the northern frontiers,
Governor Meigs issued his proclamation
requiring all who wished to arrest the