The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-03-15

ex importance. She once instanced the
prophet Daniel, who, though prime minis
ter of a vast empire, found ample time TO
worship his Creator and l shall never for
get how she looked when she added Dam
| iel opened his window toward Jerusalem
to pray: happy are we that we can open
no window from whence we may not look
toward Heayenp'
Before Mr. Parks had time to reply sew
eral young ladies came in, and soon after
he retired
His first leisure hour he devoted to Mrs.
Berry and her daughters. Unfortunately,
as he deemed it, he found them IN the midst
of a group of visitors. Whenever we have
a new interest awakened in the heart, in a
person, or family; we become tenacious of
of their exclusive society; and to find their
attention divided betwixt ourselves and 9TH
ers tends to make us formal and reserved
Mr.. Parks was little more than locker
on for the short time that he remained in
Mrs. Berry's parlour; but he was pleased
to notice that that lady and her daughters
paid the customary tribute Of respect to
their deceased relative, by assuming the
habiliments ofmourning. There was, too,
change in their manner. True, there was
no appearance of sorrow-of grief-except,
perhaps, on the countenance of Diana but
there was seriousness, gravity that was
quite new; something which showed that
the feelings were chastened. All this plea
sed him; and still more was he pleased by
the answer of l.ucretia, when he asked her,
apart, if he should meet her at Mrs. IS
party in the evening.
% no. was her reply, you know we
have very recently lost friendP
This decorum-this regard to the pro-
prieties of life-this delicacy for the feel
ings ofthe afflicted, comported exactly with
the views of Mr. Parks-with his sense of
what was right He went away rejecting
on what he had heard and seen. He was
gratifed to see the Miss Berry's in new
position gratihed, that in every position,
their department was such as he approved.
Hitherto, all that he had learned of them
served to increase his general appreciation,
his particular regard
One day, as Mr.. Parks and Mr.. Eaton
were walking together, the latter made
some remark concerning Diana Berry.
Il have long looked on that young lady
as your future wife," said Mr.. Parks.
What could put such thought in your
head asked his friend; but rest assured
you are mistaken it will never be-
why not do you not like herr
/ Yes was the frank reply, i like her
better than any young lady in the world
think her peculiarly amiable and interest
ing-to me, fascinating; nevertheless, l
should not dare to marry her. To speak
honestly, like her as well as may, | have
no taste for becoming slavep
Not dare to marry her? How do you
mean ? asked Mr.. Parks, who seemed not
to have heard what his friend last said.
Il mean was the answer, that with her
habits, her notions, and brought up as she
has been. my income must be altogether
inadequate to the demands that would be
made on it.
But with her fortune added to yours,
said Mr. Parks, should think that every
reasonable wish could be gratified.'
Her fortune = exclaimed his friend with
evident surprise.
Has she not fortuner asked Mr.. Parks,
or is the property all the mothers! But
even if this last is the case, should Mrs.
Berry have daughter married, she would
unquestionably endow her WELL
Mrs Berry! The property all the moth
er'sp repeated the astonished Eaton. In
the name Of wonder, what do you meant
Just what say replied Mr.. Parks. Il
have always supposed-for perhaps never
heard anything said about it-that Mrs
Berry was rich for cannot conceive how
an establishment like hers could be supper.
ted by poor widow
By poor Dido,o-no, nor any one else !!
said Mr.. Eaton, laughing. But who told
YOU that Mrs. Berry paS a widowP
From your question, l suppose no one,
said Mr.. Parks looking up with more vlsi
bic establishment than he often betrayed
vet as have never heard either Mrs. Der
nv, or any one else, speak of her husband
nor the daughters, nor any other person
speak of their father, knew not that m!
conclusion was so rery extraordinary !
This comes said Mr.. Eaton laughing
heartily at his friends amazement, whicl
was not unmingled with chagrln-' TIN
comes of your wise habits of never askin!
questions about people. A pretty scrap
you might have been drawn intol And 81
you did not know that the Mr.. Berry whit
keeps the variety store in street
: where you have so often been, was the hus
band Of our Mrs. Berry, and the father
Lucretia and DianaP
Most assuredly ! did not and how coui'
III have never seen the slightest inter
course between them-never met him
the house, except on the evening when tn
, whole town was there. And you, MIR. Ia
ton, must be mistaken, for the Mr.. Berr
Of street has Just lost daughter?
Most certainly he has; but why doe
, that render it improbable that he Is Mrs
Berry's husband?'
You do not mean to intimate, said MI
Parks, that Mrs. Berry has lost daugf
, ter, and the young ladies sister :
Il mean to assert was his friends an