The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-12-24
PATRIOTlsM.
Correspondence Of tie Madisonian.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. Oath, 1874.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. Gath, 1874
To the Editor AZ the .Madisonian;
Sir: The time is at hand when that bird, whose
wont IT is TO sing only at dawn, sings "all night
long, and know why l., too, should not be
permitted 10 eschew the dull routine of every day
duty, and indulge myself with Christmas Carroll
hail, as you know, from of the first cities in the
world, and although its politics have usually formed
the subject of my remarks, you mus, not, by any
means conclude that IT barren Of social novelty or
of those rare realities which stranger than fiction
OF this, however, you will be better able to Judge,
when you shall have lent me moment of your holi-
day attention.
Accompany me, then, back to the middle Of MAY
last, and lean upon my arm while we contemplate
in the shade of Linden tree, one Of those humble
but comfortable private residences which chequer
and adorn the suburbs Of our city. At the tine re-
feued to, there lived in this vine-clad cottage, q
white haired widower by the name Of Benthun, with
an only daughter and a trusty female servant. Mr..
Benihun and bis daughter Minerva, it was not diff
cult to perceive had seen better days The cha,ten
ed dignity Of the father, well the subdued yet
queenly bearing Of the daughter, gave a proof of
this, which the most fastidious would not care TO
question. Minerva was between eighteen and TWEEN
y Of the middle height alternate in frame fair but
pale 10 complexion with full hazel eye black LASH
es and brow, and an elegant abundance of mirror.
like uesses. Her very appearance, apart from her
sacred demesnor, which virtue always imposes upon
its iayorite temple bespoke heart at once as perfect
aud winning as itself. You could not but have seen.
however, that II owed much Of its serenity and COM
posture to II. having been long concentrated upon a
single and kindred object A gentleman by the name
of Lesson had, 1t we're, attained his manhood nm
der the smiles Of the same ray which Lad warmed
Minerva INTO ~omsDhood and beauty. They had
never known why, but their heart, had become min
tied upon a matter of course. I say ultimate be-
cause the circumstances Of MIR. Benthun had so
changed between the penoy and maturity of the
love Of the lovers that the prudent parent could not
make up his mind to sanction union, until such time
the issue of pending law suit to which he looked
with hope and confidence, should enable him TO sur.
round his darling child with the best substitute for a
parents care, competent portion Of this world,
goods
The state Of thing, referred to, though fathered. a.
usual, by commendsble precsution, produced. n.
usual, corresponding evil Minerva, naturally deli
cate as plant, shrunk under momentary cross and
the cheek that had always been pale, grew NOR.
so, until it required no prophet to foretel the
award which nature would soon make to ar,
and circumstance. Being always in HI. dsupb-
ter. company, Mr. Ben,hun of course the las, To
discover the effect Of his prudent regimen upon her
health. His neighbours admonshed him, but III.
old mans heart, forgetting the laws delay, turned
deaf ear TO every thing but the idea Of rIsddenipp
the bridal iestlvily with dowry equal in every re-
spec to the birth, education, and necessite. of M;
daughter MI. Lesson continued to indulge hims.lf
both IN his vsi's and hopes and, like his expected
fatherin-a~ was blind every thing bot the f,,,-
ful heart, which animated the temple at whose Altar
he made his daily offering. Tim. passed on. and
with il passed away more and more Of the If, and VI,
vscity OF Minerva. The suh continued to b. co,.
tino.d over until The evening Of the twelfth Of Sen
TENDER. Mr.. Lesson had pad his u.usl visit in The
afternoon, and placed bouquet cf fresh flower. IN
Minevas vase, she being TOO much nd,spo.ed to 80.