Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-03-21
})opular Gales.
MARIA GRAFTON:
lR LET EVERY GIRL CHOOSE HER OWN
HUSBAND.

u Seated in pleasant chamber, was a
young lady, the daughter Of one of tbe
most aris;ocralic merchants in New
! England. He had risen from obscuriiy :,
md by a course, though not strictly
honest, yet in accordance with The prac-
'ice orsomo Of the wcallhiestPerchauis
in the country, had amassed large
! amount Of property. With him wEAL1H
was every thing he knew nothing Of
! happiness, save whcn it was considered
IN the scale of dollars aud cents /; aud
it needed only that man be wealthy,
( no matter by what means he became so,
to ensure ,.i- respect.
His residence was but n few miles
from ,hr city Of Boston, and it was one
Of the most beautiful 10 that Vicinity
! No pains had been spared 10 make il
worthy Of notice, for Mr.. Grafton was
a man fond Of praise. His youngest
daughter, Maria, was now the only
child remaining AT home. Two sons.
on whom he bad placed lis ncpes for
the ,.orpetuation Of his family name.
and on whom he had designed to bcstow
the greater portion Of his wealth, died
ere they haG attained to manhood. OF
three daughters, two were married.
leaving Maria with her father, who low
ed her next, perhaps, to his money.
Sad were The thoughts ofthc fair girl.
as she sat alone III her chamber but
they were soon interrupted. Tho
voice Of her father summoned her 10
the parlor. When she descended, she
found he was accompanied by 4 yonng
man named stevens, who had, some
time previous, offered his hand to Maria
but not contcnied with her refusal, aud
knowing the attachment of her father 10
wealth, had called him to his aid. Ma
ria raised her eyes as she entered the
room bat rs soon as shc saw Stevens,
iurncd her head AND seated herself by
the window Her father addressed her,
presenting Stevens, and informed her
that it was his wish that size should ac-
ccpt Of him as her future husband -
Maria informed her father that she had
rejected Mr. Stevens once, and that,
even did she lore him, which she was
very certain she did not, her own judy
men, taught her better than to risk her
happiness in his hands.
"Whsi DO you know Of tore ~ sa,d
MY Grafton land why are you un-
willing to risk your happiness with him
lis wealth is sufficient TO procure you
every comfort, and his character is
-
"hfamousr interrupted Maria, look
ing him full IN the face.
Stevens turned pale, and his lip quiz
cred with rage, and the anger Of her
father scarcely kpew bounds. For u
moment he did not answer her. AZ
length, pointing his finger at Stevens,
he inquired, land what know you OF
his character -
Enough to cOnvinca ne that my
words we're true" answered Maria.
"My daughter" said Mr. Grafton.
assuming a milder tone, though you
may have heard reports uufavorsble to
Mr.. Stevens, believe me, they are with.
out foundation. lie is ono ofthe wealth
lest men in the city"
"IIc may be all that you huik he ia, -
said Maria, "but cannot marry him. y
you may go to your chambeT," "
said her father, 81 um determined that
Henry Stevens shall be my son-in-law,
aud you must marry him, or cult my
house. will neither own nor support
an ungrateIuI and dlsobcdient daughter
/ ITo-morruw ! shall expect your an
swer.n
( MaIia knew too well the character oi
her father TO make any reply. A crisis
had arrived which she bad for some
days feared. She knew that her relu-
.sl Of stevens would bring down the
wrath of her father on her head, and
had wrlttsnt 10 both of Ger sisters, stating
the circumstances, aud requesting, Ia
case her father should drive her iroa,
the house, the privilege of Iornaiopa
for short tipc with them. CONTRARY
tn her expectations, both had reused
her. Their husbands had married thin,
more on account Of the wealth of lhcir
/ father, than for any affection they had
/ felt for thsm, aud they feared, II they
gave Maria n home, their father would
disinhei.t them. Such Is the effect
wenlth has on the affections.
Maria retired 10 he's chamber, thd