The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-04-13
Vol. A. No. a5---1Vhole No. 1913,

Iyouh paused alta hesitatcd, while the wondering
naidHn threw an innocent and inquirng look up
on his sorrowfu and agita,ed couDte nance-sit IL
he resumed, at length mastering his enotious, at
is the thought OF leaving thee, Martha, which
wrIngs my hoait-loaVin 4 thee among ihis peo
pie TO be subjected To the wIes and prosecutions of
that wicked and Designing :"
oh! name him moi, Seth, name him mott quick
iy interrupted The girl with shudder, which but
TOO plainly told both her fears and adherence of
the man about 10 be mentioned
81 should not, Martha, but have noticed that
which has filled me with alarming conjectures--
with fears for thy safety-and I would that thee
ieii mo what he purposeih to thee.' 80 Il
| Il cannot-i cannot bit oh! If thee knew nv
troubles, Seth and the poor girl, nj the thought
thus called up, dropped her head upon the Others
shoulder, and wepi as if her heart would break
The wretch! the occnrsed wretch, exclaimed
tho young man bitterly 80" Ct
may, nay, 10 not curse, Seth sobbed The gni.
making an effort TO check her emotion; that Is a
eiit belonging, think. only to the Great One a.
bnve, who meets out justice TO the sin fil, not as
man meets under the influence of binding passions
but according TO the proper neasure-and He we
must remember, can protect the innocent as well
as punish The guiIy-and though my trials are in.
deed sore, yet trust that Good Being will still as
he has done, preserve me guiltless and unframed
Each being abso bed in the thoughts and fee limos
which The conversation had excited, there WA
here short pause in the discourse, during which
the mniden gently disengaged herself from the par.
ial embrace of the other md wipins her eyes
seemed TO resume her usual tranquility ~
Martha, al length said the young man, with nm
air Of embarrassment and slightly tremulous' ,aE.
cent. 49, '"H@ y"
'What would thee say, Se,ha' asked the mniden
composedy, perccving that the othdt llesitated to
COON. q" !" .
martha, does thee love me.' resumed the youth
with effort.
sWby-why,' replied she, now hesitatiag in
tarn, 'why, we arc commanded TO love one another
are we not?'
SAY, Martha-5ut does not thee regard me with
that feeling which the world calls love?
Il hardly know what to tell thee Seth have
often greatly feared that my heart au erring
one. have tried To bestow nv love on aIl--buI
may have sometimes thought, perhaps, that tbee
was getting rather more than thy share
'Ihy words are precious to my heart, Martha.
Let u.s. then, cherish that feeIing towards each 9th
or, and permit il to lend us 10 its natural consum.
marion. fhee knows, Martha, that the love of
which speak, when crowned BY marriage is al
lowed and approved by The good and wise ofeverY
toned and blessed by the good books, when lent
thee on purpose that thee might rcud the whole,
instead of only such parts as our elders would have
us take for guide cunniusly DENYING US The
free of the hook because they fear t,.lihve ua
read and reason upon the rtstnot because, as they
PRETEND we should pervert it.
'Thee bewilderesi me, Seth. | will col fess that
have at tunes thought that there isreason in what
Thee now says; but l have as often fenred ihai.is
was only the rromptings of vain fancies or SMUT
inclinations; and il is different from what have
always been taught to believe right that il some.
times makes ME remble lest should at last be ief
TO harbor belief which may be wrong in itself,
ana prove rulnouS to my souls interest. O.,
1T is not wrong, warmly urged the young man;
1T is not wrong, Martha. 1t is right; thy reason
tells thee that tits right. All nature confirms it
The bible, when properly consulted, also answers
MS go into the world, where there will be no mean
spies to dog and torment us-no tyrant 10 pervert
Dur innocent actions, and make them excuse for
prosecuting the oulest designs and none to modest
,r make us afraid; where united as one never more
o part, we will live, be FREQ love, and in that
owe and freedom find our solace, our comfort, and
Lat FL, e..
ny own hands will sappot; Ihee-n my own
cart will cherish thee. d"
'Oh. tempt me not-tempt me not Seth ....
Gall it not temptation, dearest one. Sooner
'oud SAFER oil that wicked men could inflict
nan lead thee astray. 4 think it--f mean it, for
ny good as much as for my own happiness. tits
OF temptation; it is but the pleadings OF wisdom
nd love- Fly with me, then, this night and this
our-fy with me from the dangers and miseries
hat here beset thee, to safety and happiness
May, nay, Seth, replied the maiden calmly and
rmy, after appearing to trugge IN oment
With her conflicting feelings. ..u... r. ..s+
''rhe proposal is bad and startling one; it il
lso new and unexpected 1 have not considered
nd may not accept IN and, moreover, j may
ot longer remain with thee. must return to the
uiIdings.' .'.- - ea.-'..
And am never to thee moIe?' asked the
Their sadly. - .
'Why, if thee will indeed leave us, she repl,sd,
ugerng and hesitaiing, unless, perhaps--uniess
lee could return to some appointed time and place.
will thee, them eagerly inquired the youth
viii thee meet here tour weeks from now?' ,-'E
IF permitted, will, Seth. -'s.' .lt-.-
: and be prepared to go with me?'
Again may not promse hut will weigh the
-oposai with kindly intent. Fare thee we'll Seth
'Fare thee well, heloveS Blafiba--if thee can
a'y no longer fare thee well with many blessings;
ut remember, oh remember ..'I't "f'
Fondly and anxiously gazed the youth after tho
aiden till her retreatng form was lost to bis view
hong the intervening shrubbery, when he appear
TO rouse himsoIffrom his tender reverie 10 tho aa
irpose now remaining to be accomplished; ana.
ith firm step aud resolute air, no bent his course
wards the pond, where he knew a skf belong
q to the Shakers was moored. 100 "
Although the Shaker leaders mainly depend for So
tanning their subjects upon the impressions Of a. Do
-sion and hatred Of the world which they so scd h1
usly Implanted in the bosoms Of thdig youth, aid
by the extreme ignorance in which they arc
pit for same purpose, and by which they are
reraily rendered as helpIe could be yished aH
I force, whatever may be said to the contrary
or at least was fo,mery, not unfrequenfIy resort -
to for the purpose Of rest aiming those detected
attempting TO escape Seth, therefore With the H
NV OF avoiding collisions growing out of any at.rri
npt that might he made, in case he had been s,s
cted and watched, to prevent his going away
emed it best to depart in direction and manner