Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-04-02

others shoulders, and for a brief interval, |
not a word was spoken.
ooh Martha, Martha y at length uttered
the young man in tones Of deep and troub-
led feeling, and again was silent
thee seems mucl'agi,atcd to-nipbt. Se,h'
said the girl in meek, inquirng manner,
ALTERNATING awhile for the other TO proceed.
Il am, Martha Replied he-'my heart is
indeed tried, most sorely tried
And why art thee thus disquietcd Sc,ll'
again asked the girl-'and why she con,in-
ued, in tone Of tender expostulaton, 'why
hast thee urged me to this meeting, when thee
knows that am not without my misgivings
and doubts about communing with thee IN
this manner, and when, also thee so well
knows the great risk we both run of being
discovered and punished, and | of being
brought to shame before the people, or in
other fearful waysl'
Il know know all, Martha, and ! should
be gricvcd to be the means of causing thee
trouble. But so many things have happened
since we met, and | had so much which |
desired to say to thee, that could not find
it in my heart to 60 away without seeing
thee.'
60 away? Surely Hast thee well
considered, Seth 2
Yea, long and deeply. I can no longer
endure the vile m'susagc have lately recei-
vcd-I can no longer endure to be slave
slave to those who would fetter and de-
grade both the body and the mind-and
have determined that this night | will leave
them
But whittier would thee 90 Unto the
wide, wicked world 2
'lf | thought, Martha, I should find the
people of the verdi more wicked than soHc
of those shall leave behind, would remain
But 1t is not that which now perplexes and
tronbes me-
'lf we have been taught Alright, Seth what
should trouble thee more 2
Ay, if arignt but thee knows my opn.
ions of the absurdty of our creed, and the
talsity of half that is told us. No, it is no
scruples of that kind, but my doubts anc
fears about the reception I may meet witt
in the world of whose ways know SO little
and in which | must appear so foolish and
awkward. am ignorant, Martha, ignoran
as child, of all that | should know
But does not that spring from pride O
heart. Seth, which, under any good creed
thee should strive to Danish 7 1t appears to
me thee Should have better reasons
well, have other reasons, and mucl
stronger ones, | confess, with mc-but
know not that thee would consider them bet
ter. 1t is and the youth paused ant
hesitated, while the wondering maiden thrc II
an innocent and inquirng look upon his sor.
rowful and agitatcd countcnance-' it is h,
resumed, at length mastering his emotions
lit is the thought Of leaving thee, Martha
which wrings my heart-lcaving thee anon,
this people to be subjected to the wiIcs AM
prosecutions Of that wicked and Designing
I oh name him not, Seth, name him not
, quickly interrupted the girl with shuddcr
which but too plainly told both her fears AM
adherence OF the man about to be men
: toned.
Il should not, Martha, but have notice
that which has filed M with alarming con
lcctures--wi,h fears for thy saiety-and
, would that thee tell me what he proposes I
r thee
Il cannot-T cannot-but oh if the
, knew my troubles, Seth and the poo
, girl, at the thought thus called up, droppe
: her head upon the others shoulder,and wep
as if her heart would break.
the wretch the accused wretch = cx
$ claimed the young man bitterly.
t NAY, nay, do not curse, Seth, sobbed III
: girl, making an effort TO check her emotion
h that is a Gift, belonging, think, only to tn
n Great One above, who meets out Justice t
z the sinful, not as man meets under the inllu
= cnce of binding passions, but according t
5 the proper measure-and He, we must re
member, can protect the innocent as we'll a
e punish the guilty-aud though my trials ar
S indeed sore, yet trust that Good Being wi
0 still, as He has done, preserve NE gutlcs
e and unframed
= Each being absorbed in the thoughts an
!, feelings which the conversation had cxctct
:; there was here a short pause in the dscours
h during the maiden gently dlsengagcd herse
= from the partial embrace of the other, anc
: wiping her eyes, seemed to resume her uSui
, tranquility.
0 'Martha,' at length said the yonng mar
z with an air Of embarrassment and slight
t trcmulous accent.
e 'What would tiro say, Seth?' asked til
f maiden composrdy, perciving that the 9th
= or hcstatnd to 90 on.
D martha, does thee love me 2 resumed til
r youth with an effort.
'Why--why,' replied she, now hesitatin
= in turn, why, we are commanded to low
= one another, are we not !
0 'Av, Martha -.but does not thee regard m
f with that feeling which the world call, love
I, Il hardly know what to tell thee, Seth
| have often greatly feared that NY heal
was an crring one. have tried to besto,
nv love on all-but may have sometime
: thought, perhaps, that thee was getting ralll
er more than thy share
"Thy words are precious to NY hear
Martha. L. Us, then, cherish that iecin
:, towards eac. other, and permit it TO lead Il
! to its natural consummation. Thee know;
Martha, that the love of which speak, whc
> crowded by marriage, is allowed aud ap
proved by the good and wise of every SEE
! but our own. Thee knows, too, that il
: sanctioned and blessed by the good book
!, which lcnt thee on purpose that thee migl
.a,J a., ,,,hnlo ;nsto,I Of nnl,, sncb ,,r,s .