Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-01-04


No one am sure ever dreamed of
if you are.'
.Ha! hap chuckled the old man.
There are more things in heaven an
!, earth than were ever dreamed of in you
philosophy! But | am serious in TIL
+ matter, and therefore will be seriou
with you. The trnth is, that in tn
prime of life made handsome forum
in trade. Few, very few, however, kne
I this. took good care to conceal it, an
for sufficient reason The new syster
of doing business disguised me with me
chsndising, and | retired, investing M.
property in nv own way. Since then
hive seen several new crops OF 'merchan
princes spring up, flourish their brie
| summer season, and then meet the sickle
! Numbers of these have looked down up
on me in their palmy days, but | KEEP
on the even tenor of my way, caring lit
tie for any of their upstart notions.
knew where it would all end But en-.
ough of this. never had but one idol,
and that is my niece, the wife of Theo-
dore. From her cradle | have loved
her with fervent tenderness. AS little
girl, she was all my heart could desire;
but after she was sent off to a finishing
shop, or boarding school, as it is called,
where were congresated some forty or
fifty other daughters of merchant prir-
ces,' she became greatly changed, and
what hurt me more than | can tell. asha-
med of her old uncle and his Anticipated
appearance and notions. But did not
love her less. After awhile she left school
and set up for husband. She was very
soon ught up. Her father was too
rich. and she too beautiful to escape. |
do not complain OF her choice. 1t has
turned exactly to my liking. But did
not relish the way they set out-young
things like them-mere children, sport
ing in the giddy world of fashion at the
rate of some five or six thousand dollars
a year, when fifteen hundred would have
been amply sufficient for them! They
gave splendid parties, kept their carri-
age. and had half dozen sci wants TO
wait upon their lord and ladyships. -
They thought themselves men and wo-
men. Cecilia had hnised her education,
and Was fully prepared to take high po-
stion in the woodland yet she in real
ity knew nothing by experience, the only
true teacher. She had a rudlmental ed
ucation, and that was all. As to the
practical duties of life, ip which all must
sooner or later engage she was as pro
foundIy ignorant as when but ten years
of age. saw all this, and in my way,
tried to make her see it. But | only
gave offence and made myselfunwelcome
TO her. But reverses came at last IN
the order of wise and good Providence,
and blessed reverses have they been to
Cecilia, though painful and full OF strong
trial. But they have developed the wo-
man, the pure minded, truthful, emerge
tic woman. She has come from the lire
Ike gold. And now she shall take her
true position in society. 4. few gener-
Gus friends, such as Mrs Hartley and
two or three others, who have discovered
her real worth, ana how saIutary would
be her influence upon the circle from
which adversely had excluded her, have
been trying their best to restore her to
that circle; but it contains too many
such as Mrs Meirose, who look at the ex-
terior-who estimate every one according
to his money-vaIue. Their effort was
not Successful, The cold shoulder was
turned too much, and with too much fee.
| ling, my poor, dear child, who had been
dragged from her humble but happy
home reluctantly, found the large fash
ionabe companies into which she was in
troduced, so unpleasant to her, that she
determind not to yield to any induce
ment to attend them again. The palpa
bic Sights offered her at Mrs Hartley,
last party, determined me to do what
have only been waiting for fit opportu
nifty to do--add to her moral worth tina
none Reconsideration, lacking which, i
seems. she is MOTTO be permitted to as
sociate, without being sighted and insul
ted BY a few upstart pretenders, anon!
those whose habits and tastes are con
genial with her own. Her husband i
on v clerk now He must be made
merchant. That shall be done! The,
live in a very quiet, retired and econom
cal way. have already purchased TO
them house in fashionable neighbor
hood immediately opposite to Mrs Mel
rose. and cabinet-maker and upholster
er are now engaged under my direction
in fitting up the parlors and chambers
not .magnigcently,' as the phrase IS. ou
with elegance suitable to the position
they are about to take
Mr. Austin looked at Uncle Peter II
establishment for some minutes alter tn
old man had ceased speaking. At ienst'
he said /,
Mr. Merlin is worthy Of all you pro
pose to do for him.
so think 20
And then another pause followed, ant
the merchant resumed
Il had intended this very day TO one
Theodore an interest in my business
nrompted, | must confess. by my iea
! lest | might lose his services, WIN whicl
Fam not at all prepared to dispense