Holly Springs gazette., 1846-03-07


their three. children. and a niece, named
Lucy Woodburn. Curtis and his wife
were not rema rkabie for their affection,
eli herfo each other or to the race In gen.
eral. They sympa.hisei in one taste
their taste for strong dfink-and showed
no small congeniaity of disposition toward
their dependent. Lucy WoodbuIn. They
did not abuse her personally, or DENY her
the necessary comforts of life but beyond
these poor gifts. their idea of kindness
never extended. She heard no gentle
words, nor received one kind look from
Rthe beginning of the year TO its close. And
yet how patiently and chcerfuliy she ioiled
for them How many little sacrifices she
made fer their pleasure What would
She not have dcne for one friendly word .or
tender, encouraging glance Bat these
she did never receive. Lucy, do thisp
and Lucy, do that r were nearly the only
words ever addressed TO her Lucy mar
ry Mr.. HodgkIns!' was their last COM
mand. and for the first time, she refused to
obey them.
Mr. Hodgkins, the owner of the Mills,
and CT all the land and water as far as eye
could reach, was. at this precise period. a
widower, aged about sixty, aud as dlsa.
greeable in person as he was 1iggardly III
disposition. He occupied a large house
about half a mile from the Mills but
since the death of his wife, he had dined
with Curtis. only going home at night
Witnessing here the domestic accomplish
ment Of our humble heroine, ,and some what
enamored, 1t may be, with her youth and
girlish beauty the idea entered ms brain
TO remove her 10 his own lordlv mansion
his housekeeper and wife. This inten
tIon he soon announced to Lucy, who, to
his Infinite astonshment aud incredulity,
resoIutely declined the honor. La vain ne
urged. insisted. used. and threatened; Lucy
said nay al first. and nay at last.
Not 10 be bawked, however, by a silly
girl, who scorned her own fortune. he made
known his pans TO Mr.. and Mrs. Curtis,
significantly limiting that unless they used
their nf1lence TO fulfil his schemes at an
early day. they would be forced TO bulge
from his territories upon short notice. The
worthy pair failed no: to vouch for L1cy's
obedience. nor to reprimand her with the
greatest severity for having vexed the fret
tul old man with her denia s. They Goa
c!uded by telling her they had appointed
the wedding In jlst a forlnigh. from that
OoJ ouu cHC CoiHtIlcHCe what pre-
paraiions she chose Immediately.
i shall make no preparations-I shall
not marry MIR. Hod 5kins,' was Lucy's EN-.
phatic reply.
You shall marry Mr.. Hodgkinsp shout.
ed Curtis In voice OF thunder. Have |
fed you. and clothed you. and saved you
from dying in the streets to be answered in
this manaer, you impudcnt, obstinate goods
for-nothing creature ! Hear me again. L
say you SHALL marry joe HodgkIns. and
that 100, on the very day have appointed
So 90 10 your chamber, and whine and
whine and sniyel as much as you please.
1t will plague no one but yourself.
Lucy retired. not in submission, but be-
cause she knew controversy would be of
no avail. She did not give way 10 tears
or despair but sat down and penciled
these few lines on scrap of paper torn
from an old writing book.
GEORGE, you are my only friend. /
am in trouble. My uncle and aunt wish
to compel me to marry old Hodgkins. L
will die sooner than yield. Tell me of
some spot 10 which can flee, and thus
save me from their rage"
She contrived during the week 10 place
this into the hands of George Dale, a far
mer's son, who came TO The mills, regular.
ly every week with his grist. He first
became acquainted with Lucy by boarding
in Curlis's family a few weeks, while
teaching a school in that district. He iiv.
ing IN distant part of lhe town, but since
those memorabe weeks passed under the
same roof with Lucy Woodburn, he had
taken under his charge the regular replen.
ishing of his mothers meaichest On
these occasions. and while waiing for his
corn I'd be ground, he never neglected run-
ming up 10 inquire after mother Curtis, pat
The snarly heads Of the children, and on
some pIelexs call Lucy to the door; and
coax from her few pansies for thought
or sweet pinks to tell him Of her love-
Yea we'll be knew the gentle girl loved
him. and we'll be knew that he loved her
deasly In return. But he had q rich and
covesous old iathes. who declared II his con
married poor. iow.bred R,rL be woaId
Shot his doors opoa him foreyer. Ofl
course, George kept bis a6eesioa secrss
frosn ~ boa Lucy. hoping on from week
q week that some chance would tara - |
BY means Of which he might secufe her
hard.
4 week passed O. and only shree day, |
remained e poor Luey. She hei neilier1
see0 nor henrd l5ou Ge1g0e ohd ms fsr