Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1844-12-07

brought materials to repair, and other
wise remodel the interior. And after
they had worked on it awile, he came
one sunbright afternoon, accompanied
by fair and elegantly dressed young
lady, to view the mansion which he in
tended for her future abode. They
paused before the door, and he said.
! It is a humble dwelling, Mary, com.
pared with your fathers elegant man
sion; but it is neat and comfortable;
and when handsomely furnished. will,
l trust, be such as you can be perfectly
happy in, with my heart-worship and
watchful care superadded.' fancy it
will answer until we can get another
she said; and l saw that in her heart,
she scorned not only the house, but him
who could not get a better. poor fell
low ! said, 'if you obtain her hand, it
will be a scorpion in your grasp for ev-
err He was evidently piqucd at her
answer; but so spell-bound was he by
her beauty, that he replied, II hope
we shall soon be able to purchase a
house better suited to its queenly mis-
tress.' And she smiled and he led her
in and they examined all the rooms,
and she suggested several alterations,
which he assured her should be made;
and then they departed; he with spir-
its eased Of a load of apprehension, for
he had feared to show the proud beau
ty the humble abode which he had pro-
vided for her, and he saw that it lilac
corded with her pride, vet that she ex-
pressed no stronger disapprobation was
to him a dear proof of her love-the
woman's love that conquers, even pride.
But saw that she inwardly resolved
never to occupy that honse, and more
than half despised the man who procu-
red for her no better" oe'
"a few days passed; the work went
on, and | saw that he hadexpended all
that he was worth circumstance that
he would by no means have betrayed
to Mary, Poor fellow! he SO madly
loved herthat he was willing she should
deem him able to support her--at least
comfortably; and he hoped to earn a
livelihood.
But'in the middle of clear night,
the town was aroused by the alarm of
fire, and presently the roaring of the
fierce element within, told me that ]
was about to be released from my long
confinement. The despair and agony
of poor Merlin, when his house on
which he had expended all that he had
been able to save by years Of close APP
plication and unwearied toll, wrapped
in pitiless fire, was beyond expression.
The accompanies found it vain to
combat the sublime element, and turn
ed their efforts towards the adjoining
buildings, and SO they escaped, while
Merlin stood mute and motionlcss--his
pale despairing face cleaned in the
freight like that Of doomed SPIRIT
He did not leave until the structure lay
a smouldering heap Of ruins. Listless-
ly then, he walked around tina ash
es Of the palace of his hopes, and seeing
me where ! had fallen, picked me up
as kind Of momento, and put me in
his pocket. He then walked to the
house ofhis Mary's father. As he APP
preached the door he said-'Why do
mourn this comparatively little loss ?
Mary loves me; her father has always
high opinion ofme. Twill
lay my situation before him, and !
doubt not be will assist me to repair
my loss. He rang and asked for Ma
nv. Miss Derwent is out replied the
footman. Gan see Mr.. Derwcnt,
thenP said Merlin, TREMENDOUSLY. Il
will see,' said the man; and presently
he was ushered into Mr.. Derwent's
parlor and presence. 'And SO they
tellm that courthouse was utterly burnt
down last night remarked the mer-
chant; but don't look so gloomy, boy,
there are plenty more for sale; and such
IS are far more suitable to your stand
ng. The accident may retard your
Wedding little perhaps. hope for
Mary's sake, you will now purchase in
, more fashionable part of the town.
Dear SIR replied Merlin dePrccating.
y, all that possessed in the world
vas consumed in that house, Not
cried the old man; '9hy you
unfortunate 'Indeed Iam;'
Merlin. 7 have lost every
hing except Mary's love. and your
and ] have called to ask if
ION cannnt assist me In some way to !