Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-05-03
BLOOMINGTON, IOWA, FRIDAY, MAY. 8, ls4A
From Graham's Magazine for March
LUCK IS EJ.E0rTHLrG.
Br JOSEPH n. .HAxDLtu

| BY JOSEPH n tHANDLeR. III
The course Of true love, tits said, nes-
er ye. run smooth !; and these who have
had experience on tina: turnpike of .heaf-
fections orrather railroad as i, is soon tun
over, bear testimony 10 the jol,s, 'running
Off" and MASKING up alive of which thc.
poet speak. We have no grea: taste, lin
This time of politics and perplexi,ies, %
dabble in fancy stocks and risk our rep;
uta!lon for gravity; ye. the illusuationlof
an aphorism of admitted truth, may be
considered seaspnable. AID the moral de-:
duc;ed from tie iITustra.ion may compens
safe for The time Of reading it.
In the year iSl4-we remember the
time well, because part Of the incidents
Of the story were connected with great
event, an evelt not likely TO be forgotten
well, in the year 1914, young man
who 10 a visionary mind, and conse-
quent want Of employment, added most
desperate affection for a young lady quite
TOO good for him, if his business pursuits
were alone considered, but jus.-his match,
if con6ding affection, purity Of mind and
innocence Of purpose, are the reward OF
large endowments, strict integrity, and a
desire for honest competence, without the
means Of obtaining it. ......s i.
There was no more pleasing young
man in the thriving village, than Henry
Bradford; and every body agreed with his
neighbors tina. he was the most agreeable
person, and the hes. educated about. But
lie did NO. study law, he despised medi-
cine, and did not take to the church; he
had frequently though; Of merchandise
bu, that required capital which lie could
not raise, and so he did not get ahead,
though he was forever on the brink OF
some wonderful success, which he Ger
tain!y would have secured, If he had only
entered upon the enterprise.
Mary Carver evidently loved Henry
Bradford; FOR knowing that. excepting his
handsome person, pleasing manners, and
good character, lie had nothing to offer,
She would not otherwise have been deaf TO
the offers Of so many young men, whose
character and positions rendered them de-
sirabse TO Tic family. These oflessswere
repeated so often, and hints so strong
were given TO Mrs and Mr.. Carver, that
it was deemed proper, after serious de,
liberation in cabinet council, TO admonish
their daughter that Henry was in no bu-
siness, and was no. likely 10 be in way
to maintain family.
Mrs. Carver opened the dipl omacy with
her daughter, and. after two or tl rec con-
ferences, retrealed under the laugh Of Ma
nv, who declared that she did not doubt
that Henry would one day be rich enough
| 10 take care of both, for he had had dream
that he should be. Mrs. Carver had no
disposition to laugh in such serious mis-
SION, and no desire 10 be angry with her
daughter.
Mary, however, knew that when her ia
Their came TO negotiate, she would have-se
| use other arguments than laughter. and
therefore. she admonishcd Henry Of the
approaching storm. Henry thought OF
! it two or three days, an unusual time Tor
him 10, devote TO any thing like his per-
sonal affairs.
AT length the family was honored by a
formal offer from clergyman in neigh
boring town. He was learned, pious,
rich, and respected, and such an offer was
not TO be sighted. TWAS not sighted -
Old Mr.. Carver took the subject TO heart
and Mrs. Carver gave her sheer muslin
cap a double clear starching upon the very
idea of becoming mo.her-in-law 10 min
lister. Mary pondered these things in her
heart. She saw the improbabili,y Of Hem
ry's ever attaining q situation that would
warrant ma,rimony. She was listening
10 her mothers account of his want OF
application TO business, his apparent disre-
gard of all the ordinary means OF attaining
competence, and Of his utter lack OF
what is called common sense and the old
| lady concluded her homIy with remark.
that she believed Henry Bradford would
think more of dream of wealth twice re-
peated, than Of the best prospects that ev.
er for business prefermcnt. w
Mother said Mary, Henry is no!
fool =
NO. said Mrs. Carver, hesitatingly,
he is no. fool, certainly
why then, do you talk SO Of him 9
asked Mary. But there he is coming,
now continued the girl. :.
Speak 10 HIM plainly. my child said
| Mrs. Carver.
Mary made no answer. for she was q
little mortified at the ludicrous turn which
her mother had given TO Henry's rather
dreamy propositions. though she had new
er heard him build any castles in the air
| out of such materials.
Henry came with his usual pleasant hu-
NOR, and sat down by Mary, and after