Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-03-03

the we'll ordered mind of each that not a |
word or action could escape, that might not
have been "emblazoned to the assembled
world"
Here we may as well as in any other
place lift the veil in respect TO Anderson
He was an opulent southern planter, not
of very juvenile age, but still bachelor
According TO custom he was wearing the
summer season in northern iourneyings,
without any specific object ; and duration
of abode in any one place depended alto
gether upon circumstances. That the plain
ly habited Selma, through no beauty and
of an age TO choose her own guardian that
is to say little under thirty, was the mag
net attaching him to Cozzeu's Hotel, must
plainly be seen without doubt she felt it,
and probably with qualification for she had
the tact to discover his true character, and
the good sense justly to appreciate it.
But in spite of inclination, so warm in
most men as to still caution, Anderson could
not repress suspicion lest he might be hur-
ryng on deed involving future misery
He was at his wits end to discover the true
standing of the young woman, who evident
ly was so far in disguise that she was not
the niece ofthe persons she termed uncle and
aunt Her plebianism could not be main
tained her whole bearing was of the high
est order while their demeanor declared them
for station greatly inferior. In her in
tercourse with them the utmost respect was
invariably observed but in theirs towards
her, there was less of the confidence of pa
ternal rights than of delerential subservi-
ency. The uncle made more than one
excursion to the city for plain as was the at
tire of the females, they did not affect SIM
plicity to that degree as always to appear
in the same dress. The old mans errand
evidently had some connection with this,
for he returned with extra luggage.
Anderson, suspecting that he might again
I've subjected to solitude, resolved to accom-
pany the uncle on his next visit and as the
only mode of clearing up his doubts, inten-
ded on the passage 10 obtain if possible the
secret from the old gentleman. But al
though met by him with the utmost cordi-
atty, he found that he had been too strict
ly schooled to divulge no more than that
the young lady was no widow, and was yet
single /; that her parents, who had been able
to give her decent education, were both
dead that she had competency to keep
her above want, and had volunteered to
accompany her friends to America, it being
their intention TO settle somewhere in the
: United States as farmers.
81 have hereto only known the young
woman by the name of Selma" said Ander-
son. "Haye you any objection TO tell me
her other name"
"Names," replied Williamson, care OF
: little consequences We call her Selma only,
and she likes her friends to call her by no
, other The very word Miss is i'll applied"
The conversation then turned on some other
subject, aud the travellers on their arrival
separated to their respective lodgings. An
! derson, INDUCED in sage reflection, made
J up his mind TO propose marriage without
Y further prelude on his return to West Point.
d Being welcomed by the lady with unieign-
: ed pleasure, he easily found an opportunity
: the same day. He minated that it would
: naturally be expected he should give some
: account of himself; he was therefore ready
i to furnish references to persons of the first
: responsibility in New York but duplicated
: that due diligence should be used that hi.
= happiness might not be delayed, Selma die
not hang down her head, look sheeplsh, OIL
e answer eyasiyely, as many silly women think
: it pretty to do on such occasions. She re
piled honestly that the encouragement she
e had thought it not improper to give Capt
i Anderson, must have assured him that thu
y proposed union would not be rejected. Sh'
supposed she added, that reciprocity mus
: be expected of her, and she lamented it
d should he insist on its necessity. 81 asl
! but your name" interrupted Anderson
e 'and that you say ifyou are indeed relatet
TO these good people"
), "You may well say good " she replied
if ''they are truly most worthy couple wh,
for their excellence have chosen as guard
r ans and confidential friends; but we ar
= not indeed related and | am an orphan
You, Capt Anderson, | should have take
n without inquiry who you are, other thai
1t what my own penetration has found you l.
II be, or what you may be beyond what | be
n lieve you, man of honor and merit. Tha
g | am not destitute is all that | shall declare
h the expectation of support in marriage nee
1t not contemplate. What am in other re
k spects you have had sufficient opportunit
II to discover" Farther than this, the lad
st would not, if she could, give reference
N "Famly Names" she continued, "avail nc
ID thing in my case What mine is may onl
(, be Of use to attest my faith at the altar; an
,e elsewhere would decline divulging it j
t this country"
Something in the shape Of interrogatio
n was suggested, as to what might be the de
le sire as to future residence. So wise VIZ
,e the lady's remarks as to the proprety {
70 "leaving weighty matters to be settled whe
X occasion should call them up" that no moi
so was urged upon the subject.
as The parties returned to the hotel, of OR
o. accord in all thinps. A most amcable III