The Washingtonian., 1845-08-02

wary to destruction!
From the Massachusetts Journal.
THE RUNAWAY MARRIAGE.
"Whose house is that With white capped
chimnies, black sasfed windows, and a nice
little martin box, just an epitome Of the State
House, Iteither belongs to rich man with
snug ideas Of an establishment, or to some
thriving carpenter. Aman never built house
so wellunless it were for himself or for money"
You have guessed right. Itbelongs to q
young carpenter, who has one Of the most
capable, gentcel wives in the world In q
quick perception Of beauty, and faculty for
tasteful arrangement, she is trifle above him;
but in mind and character she is his equal; tits
asimple and natural superiority, never disturb
ing the harmony Of happiness. Her father was
an odd, ill-tempered man, who grew Immediate
" rich by the sale Of four and lost it all IN the
payment Of penalties incurred by his knavery.
His wife was a coarse, ignorant woman and a
termigant Never was there moro singular
instance Of superfuity Of wealth united with
the most utter ignorance Of it's use. Mirrors
and chandeliers glittered in the parlor, while
the family ate with their domestics from one
common dish on the kitchen table; and artists
were paid twice the value Of their portraits by
the people who requested to be taken in blue
attire. That their little daughter Susan should
have been gentle tempered is not surprising,
for the poor child had been frightened into
meekness; but why the scion Of such stock
should have been fair and graceful, it is difficult
to say. Yet SO it was; and the prettyness and
timidity Of the little creature attracted the at
tention Of a maternal uncle, who being child
less widower, fostered her with care and kind
ness to which she had been totally unused.
When she was fourteen years old her uncle
died, leaving her fortune Of eight thousand
dollars, to be paid on her wedding day, About
this time her father was discovered in several
knavsh practices, and began to tremble for his
ill-gotten wealth. ..
Worse than he dreaded came upon him; and
the fortune Of his little daughter seemed all
that could save him from utter poverty. Des-
titute as these parents were Of natural affec-
tion, it is not strange that they should resolve
to sacrifice the happiness Of their child to their
own selfish views. Lest her eight thousand
should attract admirers, the poor child was
shut up in chamber, and forbidden to read
any books, for fear they should fill her head full
Of romantic notions. Fate, however, will somc-
times over-rule the incest calculations Of man.
Susan had fine head Of soft, glossy brown
hair, which ahe took much pleasure in arrang-
ing neatly. When she was about fifteen years
Of age, it CHANGED she one day left her comb in
the parlor, and returned in haste to find il,
with her hair falling almost to her feet, like an
ample drapery Of Persian silk. Young Mr..
Blanchard, the best carpenter in our village,
happened to be there, mending door which
Mr.. Cromwell had broken in one Of his fits of
rage: he glanced at the blushing girl, as she
dartcd out Of the room, and by way of flattering
the mother, observed, "Your daughter has beau
tiful hair ma'am.''
Her hair is no concern. of yours, that
know of" replied the furious beldame. Human
nature is certainly strangely perverse, in some,
cases. Had it not been for this unciyil answer,
the young man would probably never again
have thought Of Susan Cromwell and her beau
tiful hair; but now the thought just fitted
through his mind, how delightfully."- provoking
it would be, if he could get up an interest in
the heart of this harshly treated daughter.
There seemed, however, little prospect Of his
obtaining opportunity; for, Susan was kept
more closely than ever, and lest her hair should
again attract attention, her father tied her
hands behind her, while her mother shaved il
close to her head. .~.
A year passed, and Mr.. Blanchard saw
Susan only once; and that at her chamber
window. AT the end of that time there was
school established about quarter Of mile
from their dwelling, in which lace working
was taught. Old Mrs. Cromwell had, as she
expressed herself long "hankered arter a !
white worked WALL" but it was contrary to all |
her ideas Of economy to give the price usually |
asked at the atores II was therefore agreed i