The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-11-07
Miscellaneous.
A HINT TO HUSBANDS;
or, a WidoWer's Beuuest,

or, WldoWerS BequeSCs
Husbands love your wives, even as Christ al
so loved the Church. lspenk as unto wise
men; Judge ye, what say--IHe Bible.
"MAnRY Fanny marry my daughter! Is
that what you would do, Charles Clarenham?"
exclaimed Mr. CRANKY, in quick and agitated
tone.
'Only with your appreciation, sir was the
hesitating reply.
'You shall never have it; neverp
The young man hus abruptly addressed,
appeared too much surprised 81 coniounded
to nuke an immediate answer TO so stern
denial TO see his guardian thus excited was
new occurrence in his history. For the
ten happy years during which he had been
under his protection as an orphan of an early
friend, he had always known him as the calm,
sclfpossesscd and courteous conference.-the
and indulgent even in the exercise of author
ity, aud ready to lend n sympathzing atten-
ton 10 all his hopes and wishes. Now his
cheeks were flushed and his eyes flashing
with Indignation, while every tone and nerve
seemed to tremble with the excess of his G.
motion. Yet Charles ClHrenbam had solicit
ed boon, ofwhose bestowal he had not per-
mttcd himselfto entertain II solitary doubt,
though the petitonhad been preferred with
all the dtfidence ofuue love, aud the defer
tDllill GeSptCl Nlle luC nun NlOlll,' VI Aut
whole world, he most esteemed. Was il pos
sible it could have been thus received, or was
he only dreaming? True, his was no COM
mon request. lie had asked an almost ador-
ing father for his child, his only child, the sole
| link thar bound him to an existence, twenty
years of which had been spent in widowhood;
child to whose education aud happiness he
had devoted his time, energies aud affections:
who had grown up beneath his eye,a fair and
lovely being, worthy even of tho deep tender
ness lavished upon her. Yet other parents
had been thus solicited, and had readily con-
sented was ne to prove an exception? Did
he not expect his daughter to surrender her
heart to some deserving besieger of such a
priceless citadel?-Who WINS so capable ofap-
preciatimg the treasure of her love, ms her
ehldhood's companion, the ward other faith
er; one TO whom many parental gaze was
directed ms an eligible match for daughters
deemed by some MS interesting MS Miss Gran
by? Rapidly did those thoughts circulate
through the perplexed brain of Clarenham;
but, ere he summoned courage to express
them, ifindced, he proposed their utterancc
the voice ofMr CRANKY again met his ear
1t was much milder but still remulous.
Does my daughter know this applications
ut was made with her appreciation, was the
response.
lcIC was u lllAlSt--IION illlNdiiL W lilc
lover! ...
'She is not the proper Judge of her own
happiness, was the next remark; SHE does
not understand her own character. 1 will
converse with her myself OH the subject; and
you sir, may consider yourselfanswered'
| The tone in which these words were spok-
en- was calm even to sternness, and, as they
! were concluded, the speaker turned to leave
the apartment. w ..r..
MIR Cranky, exclaimed Clarenham, almost
desperately you must not go, sir, you shall
not, until you tell me whatI have done to
provoke such treatmeDt.'
His guardian closed the door and resumed
his place near the young man, still standing,
however.
Ifmy manner offends you, Charles he
said in gentler accent, Il am willing to APP
ologize. There are moments in life when
the feelings are too much engrossed to regard
the mode of expression. had no Intention
of woundiug you. | have high respect for
YOU, and Just, | need hardly say, an exalted
opinion of your character. My interest in
your welfare could not have been greater if
YOU were my SON. But, there is a linJit to
my indulgence, even of you,' he continued,
more hurriedly, had any other man presumed
as you have done this morning, should have
shown him my door, ah assisted him across
| tlle tnreSnOluy III you 4eSlre u WNe, SUCK ReT
elsewhere. There are many, doubtless, who
would be willing to share your lot; and if
your choice is judicious, you shall have my
blessing. But my daughter shall wed no one.
Charles Clarenham breathed more freely.
He was not then rejected because another
was preferred. The objection of Mr. CRANKY
was 10 matriInony, NOT to him particularly
His chance success was at least uqual to, if
not greater, than any other suitor's. In time
he might overcome the singular prejudice of
the father, especially when, as he fervently
hoped, the happiness of Fanny Granny was
involved in his decision. He, therefore, con-
sidered it best TO accede to another move
ment of Mr. CRANKY to terminate the present
conference, and accepted his proffered hand
as a token that they parted in anlity.
A faithful account ofthis interview was con-
veyed to Miss Grauby by her lover, and the
first feeling excited in her bosom was unfeign-
ed astonshment, for never, in the whole
course of her remembered existence, had her
slightest wish been crossed by her affection
ate father. She endeaYored to believe that,
for some unknown reason, he was merely try
ing the strength other attachment to Claren-
ham, or his for herself But the young man
soon convinced her that her surnnise was in
correct, and that the agitation that MIR Gran
by evinced was founded in determined oppo-
sition. iss 8h .asa tabhl ei.T -1sf5f
j Gle evidently intends that you should al.