The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-09-05


were child, Violet, don't begin now. Some
thing ails you, speak quick and freely, tell mo
all for must be gone, for the first and only
time that / ain allowed TO speak word WIN
you.' ..... t.'
In n low and broken voice, Violet related
all her distress and its cause. When she llad
finished, how great WINS her astonlshmeht
when instead of the sympathy she had eN-
pected, low laugh from the old woman met
her ear. ..t. H....
Right, right, il is as thought, hal hd!ha!
the young man loves you, then. For all mad
AIMS riches her son would consort with beg
gar; good good!--Marry him, yes, marry him,
who knows but may yet sip my tea from as
dainty thing as This, ny, and my wine too.
Arrangement for somU moments kept Violet
silent
is il possible you can be serious" she az
length said. Would you have me repay all
the kindness have received with such in
gratitude?'
'Ay would i, ifyou callit irgrdta'tde! But
who took care ofyou when you were almost
baby? Hho saved you from dying IN the
street? Wko placed you here, should like to
know"
'Oh, / know you were very, very kind
never can be grateful enough But cannot
destroy the expectations aud blast the hopes
of Mrs. Ballantyne by accepting the band of
her son, even tDOuED nc NOuIh OhSl A.
'Aud you prefer that II who have toIed
and worked for you early and late-I so old
and so helpless-Iwho have looked forward
10 this day as my reward-you prefer me 10
remain in wretched poverty rather than TO
disappoint this proud madam by dong an ACT
which would give me comfort aud home'
ooh, " hat shall do? what shall do!' cried
Violet, wringing her hands. cannot act as
yon wish, and your displcasure is dreadiul to
me- .... ...--..
Foolish, stubborn girl exclaimed Nelly,
angrily, take then The only alternative. L
have n right TO command you, and | i1H.-
Leave this house, leave all your spendor,
your fine carpets, your beds of down, and dain-
" knick knackS; leave all ! say, aud share with
me the bitter dregs oflfe. am oid,and Your
white hands must become us salow and
shrveled as mine in nly SCrrice. You must OF
with your saiins and mouslns, and don my
rags Ha, ha, hd. and a dainty bGggdr she'll
maker added The old woman 10 herself.
No marble could be whittier than the face
of Violet as she listened. For some moments
she remained immovuhle; her stony gaze tas-
tened upon the old woman. Fetching heaV-
sigh she at length said
Yes, will go with you; / will work for
you; will contentedly resign oil this splen-
dor which should not be mime, when yon my
kind and earliest friend are in misery and
want Oh, why did you send me from you!
But take me with you, am ready
No, not tonight Tomorrow at nine o.
clock be at the gate, you will find it unbolted,
in the course ofthe day will be there, all
swered Nelly. She then turned to depart,
her hand was already upon the knob OF the
door, when again she stopped.
| 1T is not too late yet TO retain all these fine
things. Think before You again decide, will
you accept the offer Of your lover"
| t.Neuer!, replied Violet, firmly.
| then you do not love him, or, you would
not give him up so easily. don't believe i'll
all your fine talk about gratitude"
Not lore him. exclaimed the poor girl
love hin Oh heavens, may the sacrifice
am making atone for my presumption
well, at nine o'clock then, since you will
have it SOP added Nelly.
AT nine o'clock replied Violet. am
Violet was not alone in her trouble, for
Eugene too had sought his mother and dis
closed his love. ..
'And does Violet know your attachment"
asked Mrs. Ballantyne, hastily.
She does, my dear mother, but her con-
duct is inexplicable for while at one moment
l think she returns my affection, the next she
avoids me-nay she has even refused.my love
although my heart tells me am not inditter-
ent TO her. Why is it so, mother"
why, because Violet is a rational girl. She
has sense enough TO understand how very
unsuitable any such thing would he; ii IS Il
pity thought answered Mrs. Ballantyne with
more indifference than kindness. ...
why unsuitable? Is she not all that is
good and lovely? Oh,mother, can never he
happy unless she is my wife! '.
'Oh, nonsense, Eugene; this is mere boy
;sh fancy replied Mrs, Ballantyne, 'or If not
mere fancy it must be crushed at once, for
you can never marry Violet Darling!
'Mother' I.. .. ...-..t...
'The daughter of miserable rag-picker, a
street fodndlmg-a-' ..t.. .l..~...
| 'Har interrupted Eugene, III is The same
the same. Twas not mistaken. ] knew il1
yes, she is the heroine of your boyish eX-
PLOTS, as she seems also to be of your present
folly answered his mother, carolessly twist
ing ringlet. .7g .a
Mother, mother, don'tspeak so coldly; You
should not have placed us together, for how
could refrain from lovingn ...........
Have you no PRIDE answered his mother
for ifyou can so far forget yourself,l cannot"
! 'Mother,I care not who she is, care not for
what she has been, lis sufficient for me TO
know her as she is, that is, most excellent in
mind and disposition--all that is lovely in per-
son! Dearest mother. if she consents, re-
fuse not my happinessn s-5y,g.a..
Leave me, Eugene: your folly dstresses'
me. Tomorrow we will talk again upon
this subject su Z. ...lf .a ,er b.
The morrow arrived;pale and agitated Eu-
gene entered the breakfast paror; Mrs. Bali
lantyne was somewhatpaler than usual, but
Violet did not appear. Haitian boar passed,
and still she came not. ..,- aLs.Le.f
L, Poor thing. she may be sick. think she
was looking wretchedly yesterday said Mrs.