Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-06-28

youuS, eOHSiuOi you W NAVE dTTifeu dt
years of discretion. The Colonel bowed.
i trust have always shown that re-
gard for your welfare which is due from an
affectionate father to an only son. l am
about to give another proof of it. In short,
wish you to turn your attention to suit
able marriage" The Col bowed.
you know Col. Byrd, of Westoyer, 10
be my particular friend. His daughter is
one of the most beautiful and accomplished
ladies' in Virginia. 1t is my desire that
you may form with her matrimonial ALI
ance.
MY dear sir, have not the vanity of
opposing that l could render myself &C.
ceptable to Miss Byrd
No objection on that head. Her father
and myself have settled it. Indeed, / may
as well tell you, that we have had number
less conversations on this business, and
that you have both been as good as be-
trothed in the cradle Think my son of
the advantage of such a connexion, the
contiguity of our estates the amount of
wealth and power that will ultimately pass
into you hands
Affection sir, seems to me, the only
bond that can hallow so intimate union.
Not even my reverence for the best of fa-
Tiers could induce me TO enter into it from
mercenary motives
'Mercenary, sir! mercemasy! who ever
coupled that word with my name " exclaim-
ed the counsellor, raising himself to his full
height, and fixing kindling eye upon his
son; then, pacing the apartment few
times, stepped opposite to him, and added,
You speak of the affection that should
precede marriage. Have the goodness to
understand that the misplacing Of yours
may materially effect your patrimonal in
heritance.' He seemed to wait for a reply
but in vain.
May I inquire if you have thought fit,
thus early to decide on the preference of
any young lady as companion for life!'
Il have SIR
MAY | be favored with knowledge OF
her name?'
Miss Martha Danbridge!'
The high-spirited gentlemen parted in
mutual resentment. But the reflection OF
night restored them to better feelings.
The father began to excuse the son, by re-
calling the warmth of his own early attach
nent while the son referred the testiness
of the father to the narrowing disappoint-
ment of the long cherished plan, and to the
uuerilousness Of feeble health. Still, as it
usually happens with proud men, neither
opened his heart TO the other; and slight,
though almost imperceptible shade of cold
ness gathered over their intercourse. But
this interview served as stimulant to the
progress of matrimony. The temporary re-
serve of the father, throwing something like
gloom over the paternal mansion, heighten-
ed the frequency and fervor of the visits of
the lover. The gentle object OF his pref
erence imagining no barrier TO an alliance,
where there existed no obvious inequality;
and he forebote to communicate what
would only occasion perplexlty, and
what he trusted would soon vanish
like the baseless fabric of vision Ac-
cordihg to the happy grescience, the lofty
Counsellor gave his consent to the nup-
tials, and the flower Of the court Of Will
became bride, in the blush of
her SEVENTEEN summon.
Their residence was retired and ro-
mantle mansion, on the bank Of he Pa
1t reared its snowy walls amid
profusion of vines and Towering trees.
Broad plantations, and the wealth of Vir-
ginia forests, variegated the grounds. Ru-
raj occupations, and the delight ofother's
society, prepared for them what they
deemed paradise. In visits to their fa-
vored dwelling, the Counsellor learned TO
the treasures Of his new daugh-
ter. Her excellence in the responsible
sphere to which she was introduced, won
his regard, and, with the ingenousness of
an honorable mind, when convinced of err
ror, he sought every opportunity Of distin-
gushing that merit which he had once been
reluctant 10 admit. When he saw the
graces and courteousness with which she
maintained generous hospitality the
Judgment far beyond her years displayed
in the management of her servants; the
energy, early rising, the cheerful alacrity
with which she regulated and beautifeds
the maternal mechanism of her family; the
disinterestedness with which she forgot her
self, and sought the good of others; but
above all her untirng devotion to her hus-
band, and to the little ones who sprung up
around her; he gloried in the sentiment of
his son, which indeed, he had always be-
lieved, though he was once IN danger o.
swerving from it, that strong personal al
lection is essential to the basis of matrimo-
NAL happiness.
But the scene of exquisite felicity was
not long to last. The death of her two eld-
LII .a.axa..d The for the loss