Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-08-24

Fhis wife and child embarked, as he hoped
and prayed, for betterland. His prayer
was doubtless answered in mercy, for his
was not constitution or mind that could
long have struggled with the hardships of
the wilderness; he died the day before the
vessel entered the harbour of Boston. -
His wife survived him only two weeks,
and thealittle weeping Mary was thrown
upon the charity of strangers in new
world.
They had kind hearts in these old times,
and though their own portion was ever SO
small, our pilgrim ancestors always i'm
parted a share to the needy Mary found
many willing TO wipe away her tears, and
shelter her in their homes, and finally, in
Captain Waldron and his amiable wife,
protectors indulgent as parents.
Captain Waldron resided at Dover, N.
Hampshire, then considered as helong-
ing to Massachusetts. fleafound Mary
Grant at the house of friend Of his in
Boston, and was SO interested in her story
and appearance, that he carried her home,
and, having obtained the consent Of his
vile, adopted her as his daughter.
Captain Waldron was name of con-
sequence in Dover, pnd his, wife was con-
sidered one of the elite: it was frequently
remarked that they would make quite
fine lady of Mary But the qualifications
for ladies' were not, atthat period, gradua-
ted on precisely the same scale at Dover,
or indeed in New Enpland, as is now
thought indispensable. Mary was called
weil-edncated, and yet she had never been
taught dancing, painting or embroidery,
nor had she ever studied French, music
or Euclid.
She could read English, however, as
'Aucntiy as any modern fine lady, and
read, too, with those tones offeeling which
penetrate the heart Of the listener. Her
Eyoice had music in its expression, and she
sting so tsweetly, that no gallant amateur
| but must have preferred the warblings OF
her 6 wood notes wild " TO the most scien-
| ti6c performance of, modern belle on
that much tortured instrument, the piano.
Moreover, Mary could sew, and knit, and
spin, and milk, and lay the table, and
prepare dinner in the very best style,
and all before she was, seventeen. Then
nature, whose gifts are far more to be de-
sired than those of fashion or fortune, had
been prodigal to Mary. She was the
lfairest girl in the country, and many aged
women, when gazing on her sweet face,
would shake their heads and prophesy
lihas she was iot long to remain uthis
dark world.
| Mary's beautylwas not Of the kind that
is /" unchangingly bright;" it was the
loveliness of sentiment, the benignity and
| purity of the soul within, which gave to
lher countenance its irresistible charm
Her chesnut hair Just touched with a gold
en- tint, curled around her, lovely, meek
and fair forehead with grace and luxu-
rance which art cannot initiate. The
lilly might, perhaps, have been thought
to have predominated too much in her
complexion, had not the least emotion
called the blood so quickly and eloquently
to her cheek: and the pensiveness in her
soft blue eyes always changed to the lus-
ire of Joy, when she welcomed friend.
Still Mary's disposition was rather in
clined to pensfvencss. The reeolleetion
Of her parents, whose deaths she well re-
membered, or that feeling of dessolation
ana loneliness which will, at times, press
on the hearts OF those who can Claim no
kindred tie, had given to her face an ex-
preston of mild sadness, and to her char
acter cast ofpensive seriousness which,
probably, under happier auspices, she
would not have exhibited. Hers was
lust that kind of melancholy thoughtful
ness which, in the aged, we call 1oisdom,
4 but which, when possessed by one so
Young and fair, is often said 10 forbode
brevity of life or misfortunes in the world.
And such had often been predicted as the
fate of Mary. But while she was invest
ed with all those feminine charms which
have such an irresistible influence over
the hearts of men, it is not strange that
she should have been sought by many,nor
that when young Robert Wilson had once
seen and loved her he should be deter
mined to obtain her.
Robert Wilson was native Of Boston.
his father, the Rev. Mr.. Wilson, was one
of the first settlers Of that colony; true
puritan he was, steady and sturdy in his
opposition 10, and adherence Of every
tenet leading towards prelacy or popery.
He was an ardent, enthusiastic and pious
man; but very proud one. He was
proud of the sacrifice he had made, and
the prosecutions he had endured for con.
science sake; and proud that he was &C"
counted shining light in the colony. And
it is probable that the sway he acquired
over the strong minds among whom ne min
oled in the new world was more gratifying
to his pride, than the homage of his vassa's
and dependents would have been, had he
not, by his incorrog.ble unconformity. for
feited the fair inheritance Of England to
which he might have succeeded. He was
proud, too. of his son, and in that he was
excusabIe; Robert was such a son as
might Justly make a parent glad, if moi
| o.ouJ