Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-07-01
OBEYING INSTRUCTIONS.

Is lne cause OF the most m1SeraDle IecIihes'
sWe must not be hasiy, Robert, our situa-
ton requires caution but by a little manage"
ment we may possibly succeed, gloomy as
the prospects seem TO be. Now don't say
any thing to Pa about it, yeti had much
rather you would not. The best possible
way for us to accomplish our wishes, is not
to advance too soon.
TOO soon-too soon, Julia ! Have we
not waited two long years and more ! and
you have been all the while preaching the
same doctrine, too soon! Too soon, in
deed =
Well, now, don't be angry; throw that
trown from your conntenance and look
pleasant, and we will Immediately set about
some plan by which to effect what you so
much desire. Come, smile away your an
gcr--tIe skies Of love are sometimes clear.
Robert Moultrie loved Julia Halowell
and she loved him; two years and more
had passed since they had agreed-comc
veal, come woe-lhey would trudge through
life together. Two long, long years seem
ed an eternity to wait upon the eve OF bliss
and TO delay happy consummalion.
Julia's father was a wealthy shipper of
the port of Charleston. S. c. lie was an
upright and highly honorable man; hut
whose ipsedirH was law supreme wherever
his power could be exercised.
Robert Moultrie was clerk in the count
ing room, and bis salary, which was his sole
dependence. though far above the pittance
usually allowed to young men similarly stu-
ated, and amply sufficient to warrant his as
suming the expenses of family, did not ell
evatc him to that importance in society which
would Justify him in presnmlng upon the
hand and heart of the daughter of wealth,
shipper.
The character of this young gentleman
was unimppachablc, and he was as much re-
sprctrd for his talents as he was for his cor
rect department; but the curse of Gehaza
was upon him-he U0s poor.
Robert had been in the counting room of
Mr.. tlolIowrll since he was fourteen years
Of age he had grown up in his family, and
by the side of his lovely heiress, who had
been promised to "A thing of wealth and
show. That thing was in the Indies, amas-
81 riches to lay a. the feet of his bride, but
his soul had on it the stain Of dishonOr, and
Julia had vowed before God, she would new
err be his wife. Mr. Hoowell knew that
Robert generally attended his daughter to
church, aud that he went and came with her
when she visited her acquaintdnces and so
on; but he never dreamed that the willy
Cupid was witching his darts successfully
into the bosoms of both; and the arms OF
the little god were tirml, fixed, and he dealt
out the silken cord until they were far out
| Il, l., ,,,.Nc,ol
return without each other.
Do tell me, Robert, what is the matter
with on. | have been witness TO your
downcast looks and sorrowiul appearance,
until | have grown melancholy. myself
What's the matter, boy 2
THIS question was asked by Mr.. llalow-
ell, one day when he and II "bert were in
the counting room alone, and il any ndIvid-
""' '."s i,nsscd through like fierV trial,
he can have an idea of Roberts feeling"
when the man whose daughter he had loved,
was conrving the best plan, TO get from
| him the secret cause OF his downcast looks,
and addressing him in such kind and ailec-
liona,e language. 1t went too deep, howev-
or, into the rccessrs of Roberts bosom for
him to return quick reply. Mr.. llalIowell
plainly saw that something WAS working up
on his mind that made him unhappy, and he
wished if possible. TO remove the cause he
urged candid revelation of all that affected
his feelings, aud promised his assistance 10
relieve INN, whatever it required. Robert
succeeded, however, in putt 9 him off that
time, and trembled at the thought, when at
their next meeting he related the matter to
Julia.
Il thought said she, laughing, you were
not so anxious to ask the old gentleman as
you appeared 10 be. Now that was stump
or, Robert. Why did you not tell him p
Why did you not! liza ha y
Julia, do you think he suspects ?
Not "A whit more than he done to king Of
the French J.
'WcIl, Julia, to tell the truth about the
matter, left tins morning with the intention
Of telling him all abou, our affection for each
other and if he refused, was determined
for TO act for myself, without further advice
and when | came before him, | felt some
thing in my throat choking me, and | could
hardly talk to him about business, much less
about love affairs
The lovers met often, and the vo,a
from the Indies beng threatened, II become
necessary that they should prepare for the
trials that seemed to await them. In short
Mr.. Hallowell was endeavoring to discover
the cause of his clerks unhappiness, more
for the good of the young man than because
he cared for the unimporlant mistakes mad.
by him in his accounts. The next opportu,
nifty that offered, he repeated the former
question, and insisted upon an immediate re-
ply.
, Robert suffered and stammered grea
deal, and at last came out with it, | am al
tached to "A young lady of this city, sir, AM
have reason to believe that she is much at
: tached to me, but there is an obstacle in III
way, and
!, 'Ah indeed! And does the obstacle
= amount to over a thousand dollars If
: does not, you shall no, want it. III fill up
D check now. Have all the parties consent
X ed I?
fWhy, sir, the cause of my-the reason
: she--that is--thc cause of my uneasiness
g is, am afraid her father will not consent !
II 'Why, who is he! refer him 10 me /
!, settle the matter.