The Washingtonian., 1845-09-20
POPULAR SELECTIONS.
"From grave to gay, from lively to severe. y
From The Western Cataract.
THE POOR PRINTER AND TIL E
EXCLUSIV
BY C. w. ]

Il n " IL y - v u.
BY c. w. B..
is it possible that you Harriet have assumed
the responsibility Of pledging your heart and
hand to poor shiftless printer, without solicit
ing my advice," observed an aristocratic old
lady, {who had suddenly risen from poverty to
affluence,) to an amiable and beautiful creature
Just budding into womanhooa, who was far dis
tant from the home Of her childhood and under
the guardianship Of an arbitrary old aunt, who
valued persons according to their possessions
and not according to their moral and intellec.
tual worth.
"When first became acquainted with Win.
Malcolm, who was introduced to me by rela-
tive in whom have unwavering confidence, |
sought and obtained the advice Of my mother,
who happened to be in this neghborhood at
the time. She made particular inquiries res.
pectng my friend, and when she discovered
that he was an intelligent and honorable gen.
tleman, no objections were presented against
my associating occasionally with him. Our
friendship became affectonate in regard for
each other. We have been engaged several
months, and now the wedding day is appointed"
"a gentleman-a journeyman printer. What
refined taste you possess to marry mechan-
ic! Do you design to annoy and disgrace your
connexions by marrying poor young man who
picks up types for living! What goose Of
girl thus 10 throw yourself away" said the
old woman.
Il do not call every upstart who can wear
mostache, drive tandem, swear in latin, and
swallow wine by the bottle. and spend fortune
in half the time his father accumulated it, q
gentleman. William is sober, steady, and in
dustrious, and he is beloved and respected by
all who are acquainted with him." remarked
Harriet Lee, for that was the young lady's
name
1T makes me think of throwing pearls be-
fore swine," continued the naughty old aunt.
/" You are rather pretty, and your attainnents
are superior to the accomplishments of most
girls of your age. How can you for one mo-
ment indulge the idea of connecting yourself
for life with such an iliterate and vulgar fel-
low"
"William is neither vulgar nor illiterate. He
is welcome guest in many of the best circles
of society, and, although selftaught, he squite
familiar with the classics. I read several effu.
sons from his pen with intense interest, long
before became acquainted with him.
"lf you will endeavor to forget him, and en-
courage the attentions of Doctor Bond, or Capt.
Rogers, or Squire Ledger, will make you
present Of splendid set of jewelry, and fash
ionable dress, and if you should be so fortunate
as to win the affections of either Of these gen.
,lemen, you shall have good setting out when
you get married, and will see that your dear
uncle shall not forget you in his will What
do you say!" inquired the loquacous adviser.
81 am aware that the persons you speak of
are polite, but they are too fond Of wine to suit
me. have positively determined never 10
marry man who divides his love between
myself and his cup; for wealth, learning, talent
and genius, too often are sacrificed on the altar
of intemperance, when men pay their addresses
to the bottle"
IL declare, you are quite temperance lee
turer. suppose the gentleman of the black
art is ong-faced straight laced cold water
man." said the old lady with contemptuous
sneer.
81 am surprised" said the intrepid girl,
blushing to the temples. 81 am susprised and
grieved to hear you speak so scofingly of per-
sons who have promised to be sober, and have
to work for living. You know that pa is
mechanic, and capital one he is, too, and you
know that uncle is sash maker. have heard
him say that you, in your younger days, used
to pound putty and prime sash, when ne could
not afford to hire help. Since you have mar.
red mechanic, why do you object to my con-
Meeting myself TO a working mani"
"You impertinent huzzy how dare you speak
to me in that way in my own house. Your
father is an extensive land owner, and your
uncle is president of the best bank in the CITY,"
"Aunt, did not intend to insult you, nor in.
jure the feelings of my uncle. You know he
shaved wood before he commenced shaving
notes, and that deserted, delapidated old build
ing was both workshop and dwelling. And |
have heard you speak Of the palmy period of
your days being spent in that house,"
.tu..S:ot lo,yo 49,, ko,,,o tho p,oynant ,nJ