Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-12-27

make or mar thousands whose existence depend
ed on his nod for employ this colossus of
w snth a sutton TO his child--it was a match very
far beyond his hopes and the worthy merchants
sight became dazzled and blinded TO the real
character Of the man who sought his gentle Mari
an and She tnid aud submissive, yielded to her
fathers wishes, aud gave her consent 10 we'd Pc
ter Benson.
Every day after this engagement was form d
inflicted some new trial on the miser's sole feel
ing. Marian had in the village school support
ed entirely at her expense. what worthless ex.
penditure = thought he but this will cease--n |
London we shall haveno village schools to think Of
As they walked through the village, he listened
with terror to tie grateful thanks of many of the
poorer classes, for money aud clothing bestowed |
by the gentle being whose nrn rested on his
Poverty lie knew was not confined TO the coun-
try, and the continuance Of such folly was not to
be thought Of Had he spent his best years in in |
cessant toll, in restless drudgery, TO get riches 10
give them dUdy?-the thought was horror aud
lie actually looked at this innocent girl though
she ha already been dra wing his treasure from |
its sacred hold.
He had passed restless ninht, hulf spent in re
penting of the bold measure which had placed |
him in such perious position, when, on enter
ing The break fast room, he found Marian busily |
perusing letter with several enclosures She
looked up, and smiling her welcome, snid, Il have
been waiting for you, Mr.. Benson. to assist my
judgment rs TO The best aud most effective manner
Of relieving poor family, whose distress is really
heurt-rending. My fathers and my own dona-
ton of G5 each may I've of momcnlary use; and,
added she, Il have ventured to mark similar
sum against your name but this is not ALL
| Not all " gasped Peer. Mo-; snid she, (too
engrossed by her own benevolent thoughts 10
remark his manner j 1T is but small part of what
| | should wish 10 do. We must find employment
for the two boys, who are old enough to exert
themselves for the Others VIII you not under
take this part of the business, Mr.. Benson! you
must have many facilities for obtaining situations
for the poor and observation-disclosures, assure you,
Marian; situations nowadays are worth what
they will fetch No one Pives them away that
| is 10 one who is not a fool or rogue to himself;
besides, | make it rule never to pay attention to
begging letters and have at last found the val
ne Of my resolution not to open any-ior now
aIn never pestered with them. Allow me to set
| tie this matter for YOU lie took the papers from
her, placed them in blank cover and on the bell
being answered, desired that that letter might be
| given 10 the person waiting
And now, Marian said he, permit me to re-
quest that on all future occasions you will meet
such applications in similar manner Marian
renamed silent. She was TOO hurt and nstonsh
ed to trust herself to speak and fearing he had
offended her (the vision of her G50,000 stood be-
| fore him. he endeavored TO make some excuse,
saying all who listen TO such idle stories are sure
TO be deceived For my part, could not bear the
!
| ii, being out-wted.' But surely Interrupted
Marian, because there may be some inposturc in
the world, we are not to set all down ms rogues !;
and If you return every appeal mndc to your char
! lty, without examining into it, how often may you
not have sent away soue deserving object, who,
had you known the truth, you would have delight
ed to beiriendr Delighted to befriend Peter
Benson delight in befrending the poor and needy!
little did Marian know the pang, the convulsed
shiver, occasioned by the mere superstition OF
such weakness. The arrival OF visitors put an
end 10 The discussion; bur the thoughts OF both
| parties dwelt on this scene. She sorry her
father had not been present,--he, Who never turn
ed from The poor ill he had asc,rtaned whether
their poverty arose from guilt or misiortune-he
who had taught her that it would be far more
conducive to her own peace of mind TO relieve
TWO who might not be deserving, than to send one
innocent victim away perhaps to perish for want
of that mid she could afford to give.-Her fillher
had told her TO search ont the truth well cir.
: cums'ances might permit, but never TO suspect
without examination) guilt where virtue seemed
possible. Habitually she was charitable in mind
and liberal in her bounty towards Others; and her
: fathers advice only made her wiser dispen
ser of the gifts placed in her power, without
8 checking the rich stream from whence they flow
:. ed.
o On leaving the breakfast table the following
o morning, Marian was desired by her father to
come to the study in half an hour. There was al
: unusual air of anxiety in his manner when he
0 made this request: and Marian feared it might bt
IS to make some arrangement respecting the time o
Is her marriage, md consequent separation from
e him. Latlerly she could not think Of the forme
event without dread; and the alternative had be
is come proporlionably fearful TO her Imagination.
is When she entered the study, her father TOOL
Ut her by the hand, and placing her on the sofa b.
re him, said, My dear Marian, have never foun,
re you wanting in candor tell me in one word wha
q len bnc Tho lattp ho1 hpe
d perusing together without even word of kind
IS ness To the poor afflicted people we had las
is though) decided on relievingY
ID Marian burst into tears, saying, oh, papa, d
e not look so sIernly at me: il was Mr.. Benson, VIII
: insisted on its being returned; indeed, it was h
y who directed and gave ii back
& Bless you, my child thought it could neve
y be youi act Your poor old father knew 20
al better and so 1 told your amiable young curat'
D. who came to me this morning quite broHeh-hrar
as ed about it, Indeed | never saw any one NOR
&c deeply panied than MIR. Villers appears to be
or this occurrence.
II. Maiian's face was suffiIsed with crimson as sf
I'd inquired how Mr.. Vers became acquainted vii
e. lie told me- replied her father, that the poe
he widow (who, it appears, was herself the bear
IN OF the packet) called on him and, on his propr
he sing to give her letter Ia me, she related Il
y heartless rebuff she had just met with
ny Dear papa, do undeceive MIR. VilIers land 81
'er flushed YET more deeply y it would distress II
Sc that he should think ii my act
Nn lie does not, my child; Inc did you the jus;i
on TO believe you must have been dictated by unot
'or er; but II Is OF this other must now speu
ok Deal with me frankly Marian; after which h
en passed, what nre your feelings towards Mr.. Bel
re- son "
in Thus called upon, Marian acknowledged tn
de, her acceptance Of him had been ia obedience
what she supposed her fathers positive wish |,
ow Tint nothing IN his character since their engag
in nenl had made amy favorable IMPRESSION OH he
be she had many times perceived it TO be selfish al
len this last act, with his reasoning upon (which
a now repeated b appeared TO stamp him as so The