Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-07-12
COURTsHIP OF TIE ELDER AID,
MS.


Some ten years since spent college vacation
in the town of Weymouth, Norfolk county, Mass
Whlle there, attended church one Sunday morn.
ing at what was called the old Weymouth meeting
house. and heard sermon from the venerable pas
tor. Rev. jacob Norton. About the same time,
made Mr. Norton a visit and became much interes-
ted in the old gentleman. | mentioned NV agreeable
visits to an aged lady of the parish, whose acquain
lance had nade. She informed me that Mr.. Nor
ton was ordained their pastor when he was about
twenty one years of age, and that he hid been with
them nearly forty years. She observed that most
of his pensioners could remember no other pastor
but TINT she could well remember his predecessor
the Rev. Mr. Smith and that he and Mr. Norton
had filled the same pulpit for the better part of the
last eighty years
" Mr. Smith," said she, was an excellent man
and very line preacher, but he had high notions
or himself and tarnlly-in other words, he was
something Of an arlsocrat." One day. said she t.
me, TO illustrate 10 YOU little the character OF
old parson Smith, will tell you an anecdote tina,
relates to hlnsel' and some other persons of dis.
tIncton. MI. Smith had two charming daughters
-(ihe eldest of these daughters was Mary, the
Others name have forgotlenl- who was the adj
nlraton OF all the beaux, and the envy Of all the
pelles OF the country around. But while two care
fu guardians of the parsons family were holding
consultations on the subject, it was rumored that
two young lawyers Il think both of the neghboring
were paying their addresses 10 the Miss Smiths.-
AS every man, woman and child OF a country par.
lsh IN New England, is acquainted with whatever
takes place in the parsons family, all the circum-
stances OF the courtship TRANSFERRED. Mr.
Cranch was of a respectable family of some note,
was considered young man of promise, and alto
gether worthy Of the alliance lie sought lie was
very acceptable to Mr.. Smith, and was greeted by
him and his family with great respect and cordiali-
V. lie was received by the oldest daughter as a
lover; and was in fact young man of much re-
spectabillty. lie afterwards rose to tn dignity OF
Judge Of the Court Of Common Pleas in Massa-
chusetts, and was the father of the present Hon
Judge Cranch Of the District of Columbia.
The sutton of the other daughter was John Ad-
ans, who afterwards became President of the Uni
ted Suites But at that time in the opinion of Mr.
Smlth and family, he gave but slender promise oil
the distinction TO which he afterwards arrived. His
pretenslons were sCorned by all the family, excep
ting the young lady to whom his addresses were es
peclally directed. Mr.. Smith showed him some Of
the ordinary cvilites of the house, but he was moi
asked to partke of the hospitallties of the table
and 1t is reported tn at his horse was doomed tc
share with his MASTER the neglect and modification
to which he was subjected for he was frequently
seen shlvering in the cold and gnawing the post a
III pastors door, Of long winter evenings In fin,
it was reported that Mr.. Smith had intilnated t,
hin that his visits unacceptable, and he woul,
do him favor by disseminating them he told hi
dau4 hter that john Adams was not worthy of her
that his father an honest tradesman and farmer
who had tried to initiate John in the arts of hus
bandry and shoemaking, but without success ant
that he had sent him TO college a last resort
! lie, In fine, begged his daughter not to think o
making an alliance with one so much beneath her.
Miss Snth was among the most dutlful O
! daughters but she saw Mr.. Adams through me
dun very different from that which her fathe
viewed him. She would not for the world often,
or dlsobey her father but still John saw sonethin!
III her eye and IN inner which seemed to say "per
Severe" and on thJt he acted.
Mr.. Smith, like good parson and an affection
ate f'ther, had told his daughters if they marie,
with his approbatlon he would preach each o
them sermon on the Sabbath after the joyful &C
custom; and they should have the privilege @
| choosing the text.
The esponsal of the eldest daughter, Mary, ar
rived, and she was united to Mr.. Crncb ia tn
holy bonds with the approval, the blessings an
benedlctlons of her parents and friends Mr. Sm
then said, My dutiiul child, am now ready t
prepare your'sermcn; what do you select for mex
Sunday" My dear father" said Mary, ~ hay
selected the latter part oil the AID verse of the lOt
chapter OF Luke: .nary hath chosen that good pa,
which shall neUa be taken from her."
"Very good, my daughter" said her father an
SO serlhun was preached
Mr. Adams persevered in his suit in defiance {
all opposition II was many years after, and on
very different occasion, and resistance of a yer
different opposition, that he uttered these memorf
bic words, SINK or SUim, tiUe or die surpiye or De
iSh, lgipe my heDt and my hi,ad 10 th,s measure
But though the measures We're different the SIR
was the same. Besides, he had already carried Iii
main point OF at ack, the heart of thu young lady
and he knew the surrender of the citadel n,u
soon follow. After the usual hesitation and della
that attend such an unpleasant affair, MIR SmI
seeing that his resistance was fiulless, yielde
the contested point with rs much grace as possible
as many prudent father has done, before an
since that time. Mr.. Adams was united to TIN
lovely Miss smith, Alter the marriage was owe
! and all things were settled in quiet Mrs. Adam
remarked to her father, you preached Mary Sc
mon on the occasion of her marriage, won't va
preach ne one likewise" "Yes, my dear girl
said Mr. Smith, "choose your text and you sha
have your sermon" "Well," said the dauph,e
IL have chosen the 3'd verse of the 7tn chapter
; Luke: For John The Baptist came aeiiher eafi,l
bread nor drinking aVine, and ye sag he hath
depH"
The old ladv INV inforrnant Iookad mo 40,