Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-11-18
cinatiops to temp. the curate from the lowly

the close of the year, that he had sufficient
money remaining to purchase valuable adj
dition to his scanty stock of books, as we'll
as new suit Of black, which he much wan
ted. 1t was on fine morning when he first
put il on, and walked up the narrow glen to
his grey church he had returned the evc-
ming before from the market town at ten
miles distance, where he had gone to pur-
chase some favori.e volumes and still he
found surplus of his last years income.-
He had never before known such conscious
and glowing independence; abundance SEEM
ed 10 open on his future years, and he sml-
ed as he saw his Pensioners, waiting around
the porch, fix their looks with surprise, on
his altered and gentlemanly appearance. A
few days after he received an invitation TO
dine with rich farmer in the adjoining par
ish. He was somewhat surprised at this, as
the invtcr lived on bad terms with his own
minister, and had sludiously avoided show
ing him the least hospitality. He went, how
ever: the house stood in valley, at about
three miles distaeoe from his own, and was
a substantial and excellent dwelling, for the
whole Of the domain on which il stood be.
longed to the latter.
The visiter was struck with the appear
ance of wealth in every apartment; il was
the first dwelling Of the kind he had entered
since his arrival; and he was greatly pleas
ed, as well as fattcred, with the pointedly
kind and friendly reception Of the family
A numerous party was invited, among whom
were few of his parishoner, but the greater
number were strangers and when he sat at
the profusely covered table, surrounded BY
well dressed guests, he could not help think.
ing of the contrast his own humble peasants
board presented, at which he sat with the
family every day. The glass circulated
briskIy, the conversation became gay and
free, and he was surprised at himself; for
his voice rose as clear, and was listened to
as attentively as that Of the richest farmer
present; for his spirits were elevated, and
his imagination reused. Even the daug hters
of some of the guests, who certainly did not
want their share of pride, gave kind and APP
proving glances. The young and obscure
pastor had an eloquent eye, and voice of
silver tone-thngs that 60 far with the fe-
male heart. II was late ere the party sepa-
rated (; and the curate traced his way home
with slow step, for the night was beaut-
full, and his mind and fancy were strung TO
the highest excitement.
1t was fatal hour for his peace when he
went to that dwelling had he known the
dark and troubled hue it would cast over his
prospects. hitherto so calm and clear, he had
forswOrn the company of the world forever.
The path that led along the shore, and it
was splendid and sublime path, to the vale
ofthe wealthy farmer, soon became familiar
to his foot; and the entertainment of that
day was only the prelude TO many friendly
visit and hearty welcome. The farmer had
two daughters, to whom he had gwen an ex-
pensive education, and had omitted, in fact,
no means of rendering them suitable MATCH
es for any man in the western country,
whether opulent farmer, or long descended
squire with a curtaled rental. He spoke,
at times, over glass, of the fortune he in
tended TO give them on his decease, as well
as their portion on the wedding day. And
did the lowly curate of Saint kylas aspire
to one Of these richly dowried damsels =! lie
scarcely dared own it TO himself, or why his
foot wandered so often to the dwelling in
Justice be it said, that ere he thought of all
the money, the frank and kind manners and
spirit Of the girl had created warm attach
ment to her. And the feeling was SO new
and exciting-it broke so beautifully on the
monotcny Of his life in the gen-tlat he low
ed to indulge it. The father, in tho mean
time, thought little m.re of the curate but
was pleased when he saw him enter his
house, for he liked his character and CONVEX
sation, and feltthat complacency toward him
also, with which men Of ailluence and luxury
often regard those who have equal and supe.
rior talents TO themselves, but are compelled
to take their stand on the side of the gulf OF
poverty, and look wis,fully and vainly be-
yond. This sentiment was near akin to
pity, perhaps; but there was real friendli-
ness also in the farmers feelings towards his
new acquaintance. OF the two daughters
the elder was the object of his regard il
was doubtful if she liked the man as we'll as
she did the companion; for she was a
blooming, tall, and bright-eyed girl, and he
was meek, retired, though very interesting
parsonage; his dark locks curled short and
finely round his brow and temples; his
mouth and nose were good the former had
peculiarly sweet expression; and his whole
bearing aud manners, in spite of his poverty
aud scanty field Of observation, were those Of
gentleman. So that she had to choose be-
tween the young and opulen, farmers of the
adjoining parishes, with rough, free, and
hearty manners, and the gentle curate of
Saint kylas. And she was long in choos-
ing, and kept him in suspense, il the word
may be allowed, for he never dared to talk
Of love, or TO ask for her hand and person,
but his silent, imprisoned, yet ardent look,
at times said more than words could do.
But an event happened, soon after, that
placed all the parties in different relations to
each other. The farmer kept a boat in the
cove below his dwelling, in which, during
the fine evenings of summer, he was fond OF
rowing out to sea for few miles, and spend.
ing part of the night in fishing. On one of
these evenings in July, there being no wind
and the sea perfectly calm, he invited the
curate. who had dined that day at his house,
TO accompany him in the boat, with his cid.
est daughter. They rowed from the shore
to fishing ground about two miles distan, .