Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-09-06
From the Portland American.
THE poor STRAWBERRY boy.

On a fine morning in the summer of 80.
a handsome but poorly dressed boy called
at the door of "A rich mansion in L--e
square in New York city, and offered some
baskets of Strawberries for sale. Having dis
posed Of the fruit, he was about to depart.
when his attention was arrested by the an
pcarance of beautiful gnl, some twelve
years old who crossed the hall near the door.
She was the only daughter Of the gentleman
of the house, and though he eazed on her but
a single moment the kind look she bestowed
on hIm struck IA chord in his heart, which UNI
til that moment had never vibratcd.
'She is very lovcly,'-hc exclaimed men,
tally-'but she is the daughter of the great
mllIionaire-shc can be nothing to me-
lie returned to the field in search of more
fruit, but the remembrance of that sunny
face attended him closely in his rambles.
Il am young'-he continued to himself
-'wouId | could make myself worthy of her!
But then she is far above me and this
,hought-though it did not Danish the feeling
flushed it.
A week had p~asscd-and the little straw
berry boy again stood, with a palpltating
'N"''S Ut Nv " man , uOU D. Ills IIuIt
was purchased as before, and he received his
money from the white hand of that fair be-
ing whom, from the moment he first saw her
he dared to love!
She spoke kindly TO him and babe him call
again.
lie did not forget the order. He called
again and again-but the season was advan-
cling, and the fruit had become IA scarcity.
Il Shall not be able to bring YOU any more,
he SAID one morning. Il am sorry for il was
a pleasure to call here.-But we shall NEE,
hereafter
The young heart which lluttcred in the
bosom oflhat lovely girl was touched at the
musical, though somewhat melancholy tone
in which this was uttered, and she timidly re-
piled that SHE would remember him.
'We Shall meet again Miss wlcn-I
promise you-you shall not be ashamed TO
acknowledge the acquaintance Of the poor
strawberry boy
She thought the language singular-but
they parted.
Three years had elapsed, The tide OF
speculation which was then swelling in our
country had not yet reached the lood'-and
the man of wealth, with his beautiful daugll-
ter, rolled in his splendid carriage along
Broadway, upon "A fine Sabbath morning, on
the way TO the Trinity Church. Charlotte
was 'just turned sixteen'-and the bright bud
was just changing to the opening rose. She
was fair indeed
The service had ended-the magnificent
carriage stood at the Church door-the ele-
gantly caparisoned horses paved the ground
uneasily-lhe livcried foolman held the door
and the wealthy merchant handed his
lovely daughter into the coach, amid the low
obeisance o! her gay admirers.
Why does she not observe the homage OF
her thousand butterfly fatterers
A young, plainly dressed stranger stands
quietly at the side Of the church door-and
her gaze for an instant, is riveted on his fea-
lures.
'Who can it be ?'-She remembers-no
she cannot remember.
The carriage rolls slowly towards the
stately mansion of the man of wealth, and
he discovers an uncommon quietness in his
daughters demeanor.
My dear Charlotte, you are not ilr
No father, no-l-am-very well.'
They arrived at the door-the stranger
was there They alight-he extends a slight
"a very sliglt-but respectful bow to the
'heiress,' and moves on.
A blush tinges that bright cheek she re-
cognizcs him.
Charlotte retired to her chamber; she
was u%nhappy-but surely the stranger was
nothing TO her-or she to him!'
Time rolled on. 1t was the coolest night
of the cold winter of '35-and
the memorable 18th of December. A fire
broke out in the %evening-in one of the
principal streets of the great commercial
metropolis. TRACED violently, and at early
morning on the succeeding day, a great por-
ton of the city lay in ashes!
The rich merchant-as was his wont-a
lighted at the head of Wall street; and saw
tho runs. He FASTENED TO the scene.
Where was his store, his goods, his all The
smouldering ruins before him answered !
But he was insured-lje should save some