The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-04-04

"Indeed, Jeanie, he said, "God knows Iwould
ma urge ye do that which is wrong; but we hae
suffered and suffered sa much sim Willie left us.
'Fwa years and half anaist third, hae passed
sim that day. Do not greet my dochter, and your
auld father may ma speak that which is heavy on
his mind" and he ceased, and folded the now
weeping girl to his bosom.
''No, no, father, go on" sobbed Jeanie endeav-
oring to compose herself, an effort in which she
finally succeeded. Her father resumed.
81 am growing auld, Jeanie, adlder and aulder
every day; my shadow already fills up half my
grave-and the time Gamma be far ava, when L
shall be called to leave you alane in the warld."
'Oh! say not so," sobbed Jeanie, ''you will
yet live many year."
''Na, Tra," he answered, shaking his head,
''though it pains my heart to say so, yet it is best
that YOU should know the truth. 1t will ma be
long before the SHOWS shall lie aboon me. But
see it makes you greet. will pass on, Joanie,
to what lies heavy on my heart and that is, when
am ava, there will be no one to protect you.
Could hae seen ye comfortably settled, VII
some one 10 shield ye from the cauld world, |
could hae died in peace. But it maun ma DE, it
maun ma be-"
Poor Jeanie had listened to her fathers words
with emotions we will not attempt to portray
Long after every body else had given up her lov-
er for lost-and besides now rumor of2 years
standing, that he had been drowned at sea, there
was fact of his not returning at the appointed
time to silence all skepticism-she had clung to
the hope of his being alive, even when her rea-
son forbade the expressing Of that hope. She
had long read her fathers thoughts, nor could she
indeed blame them. Their poverty was daily
growing more extreme, SO that while our parents
health was declining, he was compelled to deny
himself even the few comforts which he had hith-
erto possessed. Those things cut Jeanie to the
heart, and yet she saw no remedy for them, ex-
cept in what seemed to her more terrible than
death. Her affection for her lover was only
strengthened and purified by his loss. Try as
she would she could not tear his image from her
heart. Loving him thus, living or dead, how
could she wed another?-how could she take on
herself vows her heart refused to fulfil? Day af
ter day. week after week, month after month, had
this struggle been going on in her bosom, betwixt
duty to her father and love for him to whom she
had plighted her virgin VOWS. This evening her
parent had spoken to her mildly, but seriously on
the death of her lover, and Jeanes heart was
more than ever melted by the self devotedness
with which her gray haired father had alluded to
her want of protection i'll case Of his death, not
even saying word of that want of common COM
forts of life, which his growing nfrmities render
ed the more necessary than ever, but of which
her conduct-oh! how selfish in that moment il
seemed to her--deprved him. 1t was some
moments before Jeanie coulds speak, during which
time she lay weeping on her parents bosom. Al
length she murmurcd.
Eslln VIZ aSy II-iSIl fof1or /
no longer, sin it were wicked. But OH gle me
a little while TO prepare, for the heart is rebel
lious and hard to overcome. | know you do all
for the best--but maun hae some delay to teal
the last thoughts o Willie, thoughts which soon
WI be sinfu', from my heart'-and overcome by
the intensity of her emotions she burst into anew
food of tears. Her father pressed her to his bo
som and mumured.
ooh! Jeanie, Jeanie, could ye know how this
pains my auld heart! But the thought that when
die ye will be left unprotected in the world, is
sair within me. Time shall ye hae, darlint-
perhaps," he added, after moments pause, iii
were better to gle up the scheme altogether
Aye! Jeanie, will ma cross your wishes even in
this; but trustina guide God to protect you wher
am gone. Say no more, say no more about it.
dear one; but do just as ye will"
"No, father" said Jeanie, looking firmly up
while the tears shone through her long eyelashes
like dew on the morning grass, 'Eno will be
selfish no longer Your wish shall be fulfilled
Do not oppose me, for indeed, indeed, act now
as feel right, Gle me only the little delay fo
which | ask-and"--and her voice trembled as
, she spoke-"then you will no longer be withou
those little comforts, dear father, which not ever
all my love has been able TO procure for you.--
Now kiss me, for mam 60 in to be by myself
for awhile"
"God bless you my dochter, and may he evel
hae you in his keeping" murmured that gray
haired sire, laying his hands on his chld's heac
his dim eyes suffusing with tears as he spoke
"God bless ye forever and everm
$ When that father and daughter reoned eacf
other, an hour later in the evening, holy cain
pervaded the countenance of each; and the looks
4 which they gave each other were full of conf
D dence, gratitude and overfowing affections. AnC
4 when the daughter drew forth the old worn Bible
and red a chapter in her silvery voice, while the
father followed in prayer that at times chok
= ed by his emotion, there was not, in all broaC
= Scotland, sweeter or more soul-subduing sigh
than that lowly cot presented.
/ Although Jeanie was girl Of strong mind, the
S sacrifice she contemplated wasnot to be affected
G without many inward struggles. But having made
t up her mind to what she considered her duty
6 she allowed no pefsonal feelings to swerve he
from the strict line she had laid down for herself
d wherein to walk Daily did she seek in prayer
+ for aid; and never did she allow her parent tC
+ hear murmur from her lips. Yet, let her strive
:. as you would, the memory of her lover would
t constantly recur to her mind. At the gloamir
hour, in the still watches of the nightly ingle
side, abroad in the fields, or in the kirk of God
: on Sabbath Or week day-when listening tc
= her aged sire's voice, or sitting alone in hei
r little chamber, the image of him she had loved