The North-Carolina standard., 1843-04-26
laearade bmself be had inrited our friend Anna to


share his hearth and heart A
A year few by and broughts some change to Ell
win He had become great favorite among the
enterprising men of the place No new building
| was raised but his strong arm must AID, no lana
to be surveyed but his correct eye must place the
line But Notwithstanding his prospects OF sue
cess he was at times melancholy and reserved
Many attributed it to his love ofbooks-for It was
known that he was the greatest reader IN the place.
The Generals library was freely opened to him.
But there were deeper feelings at work IN his
heart. We have said, from his first introduction
to Martha he had been fascinated by her beauty
The object of his admiration was fully aware otlt
and what woman's heart is proof against the ho-
mage of her personal charms. Even the proud
heiress was moved, and her voice was lower, her
eye wore a softer expression whenever she spoke
| of Erwin Better had she showed more openly
the proud heart that beat beneath this fair exter
or.
IF she was not rich,' thought Erwin, Il might
have some feeble hope of winning her, but it is
too presumptuous The rich beauty will never
condescend to accept the hand of the poor adven-
turer.
Such thoughts would often make him wish he
had never seen her. Then again the kindness
and familiarity of Henry would reassure him, and
he venured indulge the hope that at some future
day, if fortune favored, he might be found worthy
q
taking no recreation save that of books. He fire.
qucntly met Martha in the library, for she too was
reader, and indeed possessed an intellect superb
or to most ladies of the place. 1t was pleasant
summer evening; Erwin had retired to the libra
ry, and was intently reading volume of Shak-
speare.
'What are you reading nowT said Martha. as
she entered unseen by Erwin. She spoke in her
blandest tone, for she had come to request some
cl; h. II f.or hooJJ 70 hoP
face, and thought her more beautiful than ever
One wish, one hope possessed his mind. He turn
ed again to the book-hls eyes fell on the follow
ing words;-"I must confess my true love-there.
fore pardon me-" He read them aloud, and ad-
ded:
Think me not prcsumpnous to quote this as the
expression of my own heart. Perhaps, Miss Ell
lis, and the voice of the strong trembled, per
haps l ought to have crushed those feelings long
me as [ hoped guide to success. | felt with the
prospect of such prize, with the faint hope
should have said, might one day win a name
which even you would not despse to wear
Could you but lead me to hope that at some future
day this attachment may be reci iprocated no effort
shall be spared, no sacrifice will be considered too
great he paused. Martha had stood in silence
astonshment and cLagrin had filled her heart but
suddenly the expression ofher face changed and a
and disappointed Erwin.
"Really, Mr. Erwin you have presumed indeed
trust your next love affair will be less aspiring
and more successful
With these words she walked haughtily away;
Erwin stood as if petrifed. A refusal he had
feared d-buto be scorned, insuted, was more than
his spirit could brook He felt what Mrs Hem
ans has beautifully expressed:
'To make us idols and to find them clay"
The arrow entered deeply into his soul, but it
drank not up its energies
Il can stay here no longer was his second
thought retiring to his room he packed up his
little store of clothing and the few books he pos
sessed. Fe then went to General Putnam and
briefly stated that he had understood they were a.
bout constructing salt works upon the Musking-
um, few miles above Marietta, and added, Il
think shall go and offer my services His
friend and patron approved of his plan and added,
Erwin, l expect one day to see you distinguish
ed man. The path is open before you-persevere
my best wishes attend you The young man
pressed his friends hand and departed
Not many years after this event a college was
established in Athens, Ohio. 1t was the first in
the State and great effort was made to sustai in it.
Erwin determined to avail himself of its advanta-
ges though too old as he supposed to take regu-
lar course But summer found him busy boiling
salt, and working with all the energy of his strong
physical powers and winter saw him Immersed
in study and excelng all the other students in the
rapidity of his attainments Every thing seemed
to be absorbed in the one strong wish to be thor
oughly educated man.
We will pass over an interval Of some years.
Many changes have taken place since Martha
Ellis stepped from the little boat of which we spoke
at the commencement of this sketch. Ohio holds
a high rank among her sister States. Cities have
sprung up in the forest as if at the touch Of Alad
din's lamp, and no where do we find more energy
and public spirit than in the buckeye State. Her
wise men are known in our councils and her le-
gislators teach wisdom. The traveller pauses to
admire her fine roads, her produce laden canals,
and above all, her public institutions, for in the
latter she is excelled by no State in the Union
Her agriculture too is worthy ofnotice. Within
five miles of Marietta is fine farm Of eight or
Twelve hundred acres 1t is noted for its extensive
wheat fields, its fine cattle, and especially for the
intelligence and liberalty of the owner. In the
porch, over which the woodbine had twined its
graceful foliage shooting its tendrls through the
lattice work, shedding and sharing domestic love-
nay be seen on a summers eve, middle aged la
ly surrounded by laughing girls and merry boys.
The hair that once clustered in ringlets upon her
1row is now p1ainlv narted unon the forehead