Liberty advocate., 1839-01-24


Thus commenced the wooing of Cornelius
nd the widow Popkin. lie was faithful lover,
lways at the side Of his ancient fair, and asI
he was so deeply enamoured of the song, he|
earnt the whole of it, and was for ever sing
ng,
Tell her III love her,
While the clouds drop rain;'
And the widow said that she desired only
such love as that.
And such love have for theew declared the
Captain; and Lady Popkin felt that she was
happy woman!
On the evening of one deplorable rainy day,
the gallant Captain was sitting at one side OF
the fire, which blazed up in Lady Popkin's
blowing the German flute, to
the tune which the widow loved so wells her
ladyship looking her alteration, and Miss Pru-
denta, seemingly regardless of what was going
on, pored over the pages of an old novel; the
rain pattered against the windows, and the
wind howlcd mourn(ully, when servant enter
ed with a letter for her Iadyship, Immediately
upon seeing which, Miss Prudential arose, and
left the room.
"Open it, dear Cornelius" spake the widow
as she recned in her easy chair, too comlorta'
Bile to think Of disturbing herself. Cornelius
openod the letter, and handed it to her lady
ship.
':Dear me" said she, "whocan this be from?'
and casting her eyes to the bottom o! the page
she continued, "J0ha Jenkins! now who is John
Jinkins, and what can his business be with mel
What deal of trouble people give me-"
"Ilow happy am !, rejoined the Captain
"that shall so soon have the honour TO take
that trouble off your ladyship's hands"
Lady Popkln looked world Of gratitude
and commenced reading the epistle; her fea,
lures changed as she went on, a cloud then
came upon her brow, preparatory to the storm
which ensued; starting up from her comforta,
BILE seat in the easy chair, she cried, in a voice
of thunder, "Where is that ungratelul girl?-
Where is the viper that have harbored in my
breast? Where is the'-and then recoI-
lectng herself, and that Cornelius O'Rigge was
in company, she lowered her tone, and exclaim-
ed, "Did you ever hear Of such an ungrateful
thing as this in your whole life, my dear Cap
tain?'
"May be permitted to inquire the nature Of
the injury, my dear Lady Popkin?" said the
Captain, appearing much concerned as he
spake.
"My daughter, sir, my daughter; she whom
have loved and nurtured, whom have brought
up in the way that she should go, now flies of,
and wants to be married TO a"-
"My dear Lady Popkin," interrupted her
lover" do not be angry with the young lady,
she is but following our steps, and how can we
expect perfect happiness ourselves, if we deny
it to those who are dependent upon us?"
"She is so young" replied LadyP.
''lIer lover does not think hers and why
should we' He dare say, offers to take her
for better or worse"
"You shall hear what he OFFERS" said her
ladyship, and then commenced the epstle; il
was to the following effect
Madam,
Penetrated by sense of duty 10 your lady
ship, humbly take leave to disclose to you the
whole truth Of a circumstance upon which de
ponds all my happiness, nay, almost my life
1t is in your ladyship's power to realize dream
OF happiness, or plunge two hearts in the deep
est misery. Lady Popkia, will be candle
with YOU; am honest, and so are my inten
tons; and will conceal nothing from you.
love your daughter, and my love is returned
lah! ah! sighed the widow.l That it is not he
fortune covet, you must feel assured when
tell you that two-thrds of it will suffice. | ar
not an unreasonable man, and hope you will b
convinced Of that fact lbeseech your ladyshl
TO smile upon our affection, and make you
charming daughter mine for ever. In retur
for which, shall by night and day, for eve
pray for your adyship's felicity, and have tn
honour to be, your ladyship's most obedien
and very humble servant.
JOHN JENKINS.
"Wel,n exclaimed Cornelius, after Lady Pc
kin had finished reading the letter swell"
"Well!" cried her ladyship, "Itis not well sir
"Now think that tis,n rejoined the Captai
running his fingers through his well-curled hal
-"Why should we deny TO others that happ
ness we expect and pray for ourselves?'
Why, look you, my dear Captain," said Lad
p. in an under tone, and drawing her chair clio.
to his. "Why, look you, my dear Captain, f
as you are about to become a member of Of
family, need not conceal, the fact from yo
your interest is concerned in this, as well
my own"
) 81 feel thatit is" piled the captain iervent
J, SWELL them" continued her lodyship," yc
must be told that when my poor dear late hu
, band, Sir Jonah Popkin, of blessed memory,
parted this life, he bequeathed the whole Of h
property 10 me-but to me only in trust for OF
child, Prudenta-the hussey!-the whole bu
of which, with the exception Of pttfuI hu
dred year, was to become hers on the day
her marriage"
81 am acquainted with that (act,' said Gu
nelius.
"But," rejoined the widow, Gin order that 81
might not throw away herself upon the fir
puppy that fell in love with her fortune, h