Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-01-08


asked Julia, 4 don't believe you were without
company
No. said Mary, with slight blush, Frank
Merivale came in, and took my place at the
chess. board much to papas satisfaction, as he
plays far better game than | do.
4 marvel at the encouragement you give that
young man, Mary; he is good enough in his
place, but really it is hardly consistent with your
straght.aced notions Of propriety, to admit him
on such familiar footing said Julia
Pray, what is your objection to him my
daughter? said Mr.. Mordaunt, speaking now for
the first time.
oh. | have several, but should think Marys
prejudice against foreigners would operate unfa
vorably with respect to the gentleman in ques.
ton.
Frank Merivale is an American citizen, Julia
said her father, although his grandfather and
father were born in France: while the virtues
which are hereditary in his family, would emo
BILE any name. | have more than once told you
that what you call our prejudice against foreign.
ers extends only to certain class-a species
distinguished by whiskefs mustachios and pre-.
tensions, who with sundry titles, often as empty
as their pockets, obtain admission into our best
society, and become the special pets Of (ashona.
BILE women
Really, papa, for my own part, should be
as much disposed to favor foreign nobleman as
you seem to encourage poor watchmaker's son;
prefer 10 be little farther removed from the
,corking classes
Let me tell you a story, before you go farth
er, Julia said Mr.. Mordaunt, as he finished his
cup Of coffee. There was once poor little
boy, who having lost both his parents by an cpl.
demic fever, was about 10 be transferred to the
city aims house, when an humble tailor in the
neghborhood compassionating his lorloTn condi-
ton, took him into his family. Here he was
treated like a son, being fed and clothed and
sent to school, ust as were the other children.
| As soon as he was Of sufficient age, he learned
! the trade OF his beneiactor, and unwilling to re-
main burden upon him, set off to seek his for.
tune. Taking his bundle OF clothes on his arm,
and throwing over his shoulder the bag contain
ing the implements Of his trade, he wandered
about the country. going from house to house
making and mending the homeIy garments Of
the farmers, and receiving in return, food. Iodg-
ing, and pittance Of money. Industry. homes.
ty, and economy. always meet with reward
sooner or later, and the poor tailor, VINO never
neglected an opportunity Of acquiring knowledge.
or Of improving his condition, is now wealthy
merchant living among the treasures Of a well
filled library and striving to repair the defects OF
early education by the researches Of his old age.
Il don't doubt there are many such instances,
papa, said Julia a little mpatientIy, 'but what
are they to US? Mamma used TO tell us when
we were little children, that there were few older
families in England than the Nlordaunts.
That may be, my DEAR as | know nothing
about it, will not dispute the fact. but had |
been brought up in the poor house, doubt
whether should have been allowed any claims
TO ancient descent
You! what do you mean, papa?' asked Julia
in tone of surprise.
why mean that | have been telling my own
story Miss Julia Mordount;' said the old gentle.
man, laughing heartily, and however aristocratic
may be your feelings, they cannot be hereditary
since you are in fact, the daughter of a tailor
Julia bit her lip, you only say these things to
teaze me, papa
No my daughter, you have often heard me
speak OF my early poverty, and though spared
your pride a knowledge Of the details, yet when
find you so ready to despise others, | think it
} proper you should learn to kno'c yourSelf.'
} well, if it is So said Julia, there is the
; greater reason for our making high alliances,
) never see Frank Merrvale, without thinking Of
our old clock, with its Ehiop face and rolling
eyes, which his grandfather made
For shame, Juia exclaimed her father; but
since you did not like my plebran story, let me
tell YOU an aristocratic one. When the lnsur
rection OF the negroes in St. Domingo rendered
that island scene of carnage and destruction,
many Of the whites were, as you well know,
! glad to escape with their lives, even though
obliged to leave behind them all their possessions
Among these was middloaged nobeman, who
! with his wife and infant son, were secrced in an
American ship, and arrived in New York in a
state almost of destuton few Jewels being al
. they were able 10 save from the wreck of a large
n estate. But though educated amid the appliances
, Of wealth. the nobeman possessed an active anc
# enterprsjng spirit that would not suffer him tC
sit down in idle lamentation. Turning his lew
d els into money, so that they might have mmedi
ate means Of subsistence, he bound himself ap
!. prentice to atch-maker trade for which hi
$ mechanical genius, and scientific requirements
n rendered him peculiarly we'll fitted His effort
!. were rewarded with success, and his business be
n came so Furnishing that he brought up his son t
!. the same employment. The old man lived
!. see moderate fortune acquired by himself an
Q still more competent one by his son. while hi
grandson, after receiving the best education tn;
our country affords, has inherited the estate alon
n with the virtues of both. | need scarcely ado
n that have been telling the story OF the paren
Of Frank Merrivae.
Il did not know he came Of such high d.
+ scent, said Julia, pettishly, but be that as
Il may, (though | am little disposed to be incre
ulous on that subject as you often are on simila
h. ones,) | should be very sorry to receive Fran
a. Merrivale on any other terms than that Of plea
It. ant acquaintance.
q mn ,',a.l