The Northern galaxy, and Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1843-1844, 1843-12-27

/ ehSh Will vi Hull
esty and selfrespect; and was finally gath
cred to his fathers, with the satisfaction Of
thinking they would not disgrace the her
itage of freedom for which he had fought
and bled
Young Masterton's grandfather had like
wise been soldier in the Revolution. De-
scended from noble family, if l may be
allowed the expression in Government
like ours, he was enabled to enter the SER
vice under more advantageous circumstan-
ces than the other, being advanced before
the close of the war, to the post of senior
officer in the army. Possessing valuable
property, which descended to his only son,
together with military lands granted him
by the State, Georges father, at the COM
mencement of life, found himself in high
and honorable station of society. Marry
ing, likewise, into family of wealth and
influence, he gradually forgot those prin-
ciples of equality taught by the founders of
the Republic, and succeeded in teaching
his two children, young Washington and
Adeline, to shun the society of those who
were guilty of so heinous a crime as that
of laboring for livelihood.
After leaving the office of which we
spoke, Masterton and his sister accomani-
ed the Misses Thornton home.
"Let US look at the plate of fashions in
your magazine" said Miss Angelina
Thornton, after they were seated in the
parlor, addressing herself to Miss Master
ton; 81 am all anxiety to know the latest
changes. Is it not beautiful" she ex-
claimed, surveying its gaudy tints; chow
gracefully that young gentleman pays his
addresses"
at is indeed beautiful" replied the 9TH
er, "that boquet he has just presesented
looks as if it was reap
"Why, what is thisp' exclaimed Wash
ington, interrupting them, having in the
mean time opened the Saturday Courier
and scanned its contents; "The Beauties
of Nature, by T. H., d."
Chat is our place." said Angelina
Thornton. "Who can it be!' Various
coniectures were INDUCED in without any
satisfactory results, as the initials were ap-
plicable to none of their associates, until
Caroline Thornton, younger sister, with
a noble brow and a frank, open counten-
ance that spoke the purity of her heart,
suggested that it might belong to Thomas
Hunter, the shoemaker's apprentice; as
he had been known to write several pieces
for the literary society under an assumed
name.
ga YOUTH" she added, although in
humble circumstances and ditfident almost
to fault, is an honour to the town in which
he lives"
1t was finally settled as belonging TO
him; and many were the ill-natured and
envious remarks INDUCED in at the expense
of an humble friend The whole compa-
ny, with the exception of Caroline, voting
him a presumptuous person, having no
right to so much honor.
81 wish you would not be forever defen-
ding such low persons" said Angelina, as
Caroline entered her protest against their
decision 81 should not be surprised if
you married a shoemaker yet, you have so
much sympathy for them"
A deep blush passed over Caroline's face
at this remark, but she made 10 reply, and
there the subject dropped. Although, ow-
ing the disparity of their conditions, Car
oline Thornton and Thomas Hunter had
rarely met, still several Incidental circum-
stances had occurred to attract her atten-
ton, and impress her mind with his real
worth. His unobtrusive, retireing manners
in company where she had seen him once
or twice; the superior excellence of his
literary productions, read before the village
lyceum, had made her acquainted with the
extent of his mental requirements; and on
one occasion when he risked his life to save
that of little boy, who would have per-
ished but for his timely assistance, she
learned the strength and decision of his
character.
A stream of sufficient magnitude for
driving mills, ran through the town, clear
and beautiful brook in ordinary times, but
subject to rapid rise after heavy storms,
when it became maddened torrent, rush
ing on its impestuous course like fiery
steed, and bearing upon its bosom whole
trees swept from the forest above the vii
lage. On one side steep bank lined the
stream, above which poor Irish family
had reared their humble tenement. 1t was
in the month of April, and a heavy rain
had swollen the stream exceedingly, and
been succeeded by mild and sunny day.
The children, having escaped the watch
full eye Of the mother, were amusing them
selves by throwing sticks into the stream,
and watching their disappearance down the
current, just as Thomas Hunter passed
, along the other side with basket of shoes
TO supply his masters customers. Caro-
line, ever lover of nature, had been at
tracted to the spot by the wildness of the
scene, and was answering the young mans
salutation when their attention was arres-
ted by terrific shrek from the direction
of the hut, and looking up, they saw the
mother rushing wildly towards the bank,
down which child was seen an instant
falling, and the next disappear beneath the
foaming tide Instantly disengaging HIM
selffrom the basket, young Hunter plunged
headlong into the flood, and succeeded in
rescuing the little victim from the very
laws of death. vet so exhausted yvaS he