The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-11-07
St. JOhnsbury, Vt November 7, 1916.


reproachfully; Ihad hoped that such a ques-
ton was unnecessary after the prohibition
you had given.'
He kissed her cheek, and tear from his
eye fell upon il; but he repeated the inquiry
How know you then, that he is unhappy
'Can you, my father,who so lovedmy moth
err, ask that question? My own heart is the
evidence
'Oh woman! confiding woman! ever trust
ing only 10 be deceivedp exclaimed MIR Gran
by, in an agitated tone, and rising, he paced
the apartment with hurried step, then re-
sumed his seat. sand you believe, Fanny,
that the love of Charles Clarenham could
render you happy as his wife,
added 10 yonrs, and sanctioned by your
appreciation, father. Certainly not without
and suppose that appreciation were grant
cd, and after your marriage you were to dis
coverthat the reality your husbands was
flint and cold compared with your previous
conception OF il, what would your feelings
then be, Fanny"
Il should still bless my dear father for his
indulgence of my wishes. and yet be selfish
enough to seek, in his affections sympathy and
consolation she replied, with II slight return
other natural vivacity But have no such
apprehensions. Whatever shadows the flu
will be cast by blighted affection, if you smile
upon my union with Charles, papa
The animated tone with which she spoke
did not Danish the seriousness other anxious
parent. He unused for some moments, and
then remarked as thinking aloud:
NO Ole will borrow the experience of u
mother. IT'S strange! all will buy for them
selves, at whatever cost. Ny daughter,' con-
tinued he, turning to her, and speaking hur-
riedly and with the air of man who had sud-
denly determined some desperate purpose
which he feared to ponder, you may write to
Charles tomorrow to come home. | will
then acquuint you both with the reasons of
my opposition to your marriage, leaving you
to decide upon their propriety and business.
IT, on candid considerations you do not deem
them sufficient why, He paused, then add
ed-'You shall then choose your own desti-
NY
Fanny put her arm around his neck, and
pressed her lips TO his forehead. She was IL
gain the joyous and light hearted being who
had been so long the charm Of his widowed
home.
Yes, Fanny, have had conversation
with your father, and understand and appre-
ciate his motives. ] hope to be II wiser aud
better man for the future, il that future is 10
be blest with your compnnionship. Well, let
MS open this mysterious manuscript on the
perusai of which so much depends. / am
all anxiety to learn its contents, Your father
says it contains his history
Ills history, Charles? is it possible. Let
me examine the outside. Iiu! what is this
written on the envelope? TO he published
by my executors utter my death Charles,
begin toteel approhensiyc. Ialmost dread
TO open this paper. lest the spell which now
D,ukps I,.i,rl,f sbnt,II ali
away aud leave me in gloom and disappont-
ment. Hold Charles! Break nor the seal
yet. 1t seems to lie between me aud destiny,
TO keep back something from my view which
will give new colOring to my character and
feelings. You smile, Chnrlcs!-how cnn you
sniile?'
AT your romance, Fanny. You remind me
ofthe casket scene in Shakespeare. and Por-
tia's anxiety during the interval which pre-
coded her lovers selection But you actual
ly tremble, and are quite pale. | will bring
you glass Of water
No. she replied endeavoring to recover
her self-possessiop, and u little disappointed
at her lovers want ofsympathy with emotions
she deemed so natural, Il ani better now. You
may proceed
Charles obeyed and read the following, to
whose title and motto we have already intro
NuNSN Oul tiiollEll, ptiuHlS l'itiIld-
turely, at the beginning of this sketch:
While volumes are sentimcntally issuin q
from the press fruught with counsel for wo-
men in every department Of life, have often
mnrvelled that the moral enlightenment OF
man receives so little attention. He IL, in
deed, addressed generally as the representa-
tive ofhumnn nature, and the costituted SOW
ereign of this peopled world, but who thinks
ofapproaching him ti,miliarly and particular
ly, aud exhorting him specifically on the va
rious duties offather, husband, brother and!
son? Yet woman, in heg corresponding rea-
tons, las line upon line, and precept upon
precept.' Now, while | wish to he under
stoodas snnctioning and approaching every
effort for the improvement Of the weaker sex,
am painfully sensible that we, who are styl-
cd the Lords of the creation, with all our
boosted loitiuess of intellect and stores of
philosophic lore, are far inferior to women in
the exercise Of those yirtues which form at
least the felicity of life, more than the most
splendid achievements. Why then, is so lit
tie regard paid to our instructions? i, the
happiness Gilman less involved in the devol-
opement otthe finer emotions of the heart
than woman's? think not. Whatever an
improper education, or contact with the hard
ening and communicating world, may make
HIM, there is n period in his existence when
the sensibilites of his nature vbrate rs keen
y and tenderly to the touch ofioy or grief as
woman's In the fresh, unaduterated season
of early childhood, ere u cheek is pu; upon II
flow OF his feelings, or the cold suggestion
that the expressions of the hearts emotions is
unrlanly, comes to chill their tervor, is not
the boyas ready to respond to the wall of
Wo or the shout ofJoyousness, and rs true to
the sweet impulses ofatfection as tho Most
tenderly tostered girl? But change passes
over him as he approXmates 10 maturity, and
the sneer or the taunt which meets every out
break ofyouthful enthusiasm soon transforms