Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1843-10-19
From, the Ladies World of Literature for Hay.
LEES LADDER. BY ELLEN ASHTON.

"Mary, said Mrs. Stewart to her daugh-
ter, Z" think you go too far in allowing
such particular attentions on the part OF
James Newton. He is of excellent family,
and quite agreeable, and for partner in
dance now and then might do; hut then he
is but poor doctor, and when his devotion
becomes marked, it is time it was checked"
Mary blushed, and dared not look her
mother in the face, for she felt guilty of
having received Newton'S attentions without
disfavor, and she was too much under the
control of her step-mother to ask whether
the objection against her new admirer was
valid Mrs Stewart saw her demeanor, and
reading her heart proceeded,
"There is George Sanford now, who is
independently rich, and could maintain a
wife in the first style. He admires you and
with little encouragement could be brought
10 propose"
"But ma" said Mary, looking up hesita-
tingly after pause, during which she piled
her needle with increased velocity, els it
proper is it maidenly to make advances,evcn
if one liked the gentleman :"
Mrs. Stewart laid her work down on the
table, and sitting herself in the chair said.
"RealIy, Mary, you are full of such ro-
mantle notions. Proper ito be sure
Maidenly why how else should bash.
ful man, such as Mr.. Sanford get wife,
No girl ought to overstep certain llm's.-
But when she secs a man dying for her, who
yet is so modest that he lacks the courage
to address her, she is Ounce if she does not
encourage him. Men have to be managed,
child, men have to be managed. would
not for the world tell you to do any thing in
decorous, but neither would l have you
throw away a fortune from false notions of
propriety."
Mary piled her needle with increased ra-
pidity and finally said iimidly, But sup
pose one cannot love the rich sutton"
| She did not dare to raise her eyes rs she
spoke, and, when she had finished, her
heightened color and nervous agitation SEEM
ed to imply that she feared the effect her
words would produce. Her mother suffer-
ed minu'e to clapse before replying, du-
ring which delay Mary felt as if she could
sink through the floor,ior she knew that her
mothers eyes were bent on her diSapprov-
ingly, though she saw it not.
IL am astonished," Mt last began Mrs.
Stewart. 81 am aStonishe,l, Mary, TINT you
will persist in these foolish notions. Love
what is it The love you dream of is a
childish, ridiculous sentiment. which is
dissipated the instant you enter upon the re-
alties of life No sensible woman enter
tains it for moment, and the silly girls
who feed on romanccs, marry with such
feelings, lose them with the honey moon,
and repent their conduct the rest of their
life. The right kind OF love is based on
knowledge OF the means suitor possesses
to make you happy, and the chief of these
is wealth. II is nm old provcrb, "whcn pow
cry comes in nj the door, love flies out of
the window" and if you look around among
ohr acquaintance gov will se%-;he ruth of
the saying. There is Mrs. Beech, now
poor s!ckly creature worn down with care,
| who, phcn married was the belle Of the cir
Gle. She married for love, and don't now,
believe, spend ono happy day in tho year.
Contrast her with Mrs. Jones, whom you re-
member, thin, embarrassed girl, but who.
since her union, with the rich Mr.. Jones, has
been transformed into one OF the most lady
like of our acquaintance, and has car
riagc and servants ut her control. She al
ways dresses in the first style, gives elegant
parties, and is the envy OF all who know
her."
Mary listened in silence, not daring to re
ply. A silence of several minutes ensued,
! when Mrs. Stewart resumed in milder
tone.
81 should be sorry to think, Mary, that
! you entertained any sentiments, but those
of mere acquaintance, for this young
physician. With Sanford it is IA different
matter. He is rich, and would ensure your
happiness but with Mr.. Newton for hus-
band, Your life would be continual struggle
against modification. want and misfortune.
But have the confidence in you which per-
suades me you agree with me, and that on
so important a matter as this we shall not
differ You have always been a dutiful
child, Mary, and hope in this matter, you
will not pain my heart"
Mrs. Stewart had not been wrong in her
estimate of the effect these words would
have on Mary. Tears gathered in the
daughters eyes. She flung her arms around
her mothers neck, and promised TO obey
her wishes. She had been conquered.
The CAV circle in B--soon heard of
the approaching marriage OF Miss Stewart
to Mr.. Sanford, for whom it was curiously
WHISPERED the poorer Newton had been dis.
carded. The wedding was celebrated with
great magnificence and the equpage, man
sion and furniture Of the young bride WERE
for six months, the town talk.
Years passed. The young physician
gradually acquired practice, and married
an estimable woman, with whom he enjoyed
unaloyed felicity. At first indeed, the
young couple had TO practice the most rigid
economy, but their mutual love sweetened
whatever might have been bitter in their
lot, and when they contemplated their small
but neat parlors, neither Newton nor his
wife would have exchanged their lot for that
of royalty. Gradually their means increas
ed. and when they moved into large house
in one of the principal streets OF the CITY,
they enjoyed their now really handsome
dwelling because it had been slowly ac-
quired.
This event happened Just rs the great cri-