Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-04-30
MISCELLANEOUS.


cit is very cold tonight MOTHER" said young
girl whose dress beokened extreme poverty.
YES, my child" answered her mother with
SILVER, as she looked upon the dying embers; land
we have but little wood, aud few comforts to pro-
tect Us frnn the wintry blast; but God is mcrctul
he viii provide for our necessities"
"Mo'hcr, do you never think it strange that God
should alfct us 90 severely IN taking away father,
and stripping us of all our earthly blessings"
"Hush my Anna, let not my daughter question
the acts Of her Heavenly Father. Doubtless he has
souc @ood purpose in view in thus affecting u.s.
His ways are not MS orr ways
ooh, mother when think of our beautiful house,
its rich furniture and the many happy hours which
have spent in it, and contrast our present situa-
ton with what it then wds,-I almost repine at
Providence" o. and The daughter wept.
" Hope in the Lord, Anna; he will sustain US, y
replied the MOTHER us she pressed the child TO her
heart. IN
Mrs. Melville was the widow of one who had for
meiy been an extensive merchant in the city of
Baltimore; but having made several unfortunate
spcculations, he became a broken merchant
With his family he retired to Il small and uncom-
Portable house, plainly and scantly furnished. Mrs.
Melville 0ud her daughter Anna, then about thr-
teen years of age, took in fine sewing; while Mr..
Melville was engaged as clerk in a store at IA sala-
" which afforded bare support, Tor, besides Anna
they had four children, 1.-two boys and two girls.
Mr. Me,yiia's health began to decline daily I'M
der the wcight Of his msturtunes, and soon he was
confined to his bed. During his protracted illness
Mis- Melville spent her last dollar, and when he
died was obliged to sell part OF her furniture IN or
der to defruy his funeral expenses. Then came
the doctors bill. TO meet this they were unable
all was sold but one table, half dozen chairs
few articles Of culinary use, and some crockery o
the most common kind.
"Nou will have to wait for the money, Doctor,
said Mis-. Melville with a sigh, but with Gods as
sistance VIII pay you all
Dir Ridgey was young man of tender feelings
lie had known the MellllCs in their aiHuence, an
as he looked upon that family, once suuounde
with everything to make them happy, now so dies
titute, he nwardly resolved never 10 present then
his bill again.
"CeItalny, madam" said he, "you shall hav
your own Tine to pay 1t IN"
"Thank you, Doctors may God bless you,'' OK
Claimed Mrs Melville.
Tue tears sprang to the eyes Of the young ply
scian, and he fastened away; but he had see
Anna Melville, and she was not one, when ono
seen, to be easily forgotten lthad been toury
snce The failure Of her father, and she was no
seventeen years Of age. We will not attempt
description OF her, for hers was loneliness that ca
not be described; suffice it to say, that she WI
beautiful in person, in heart and IN mind.
"What pity" thought DR.. Ridgely, after sea
ing himself in his Office, THAT such a beautli
flower should pine in obscurity. And her mind
what intelligence is there.'
day or two after this, as Anna was taking
bundle of work home, she met DR.. Ridgey Oh Il
street She iuvoluntarily blushed us she saw i
eyes resting upon her bundle.
Good morning, Miss Anna" he said, bland
show is your mother this morning.
"Tolerably well, thank you," said she, blushir
and passed on.
Poor girl" said DR.. Ridgely, she feels the
ference between our circumstances. What il
should raise her in society once more? Suppos
we're to offer her my hand and heart? But, dc
know that she would listen TO my proposal:
has pride, and might not be willing to be port
less bride. Yet stay, would she be portonIess
No, the love OF such girl as Anna Melville wo
be Il sufficient portion. / will try and win her.
and he dld win her, for after Il few struggles
tween love and pride, she consented TO become
bride.
1t was q short time after their engagement,
they were sitting together, when Anna sand,
Charles, what will the world say Of DR.. Rid
ly--the rich and admired DR.. Ridgeywhen Il
find out that he has married purtloness girl y
"Anna, dear do not say porioness; the gu
ties 0. your heart and mind are not to be compa
to the paltry trash Of this worlds goods | c
not what the world shall say; neither do care
the wealth ] possess, but as 1t will enable me
lavish it on you, and to ameorate the condition
the distressed around US"
sob! Charles where could find"
But he playfuy laid his hand on her Mouth,
prevented her finishing the sentence.
One month afterwards they were privately n
ried. Gin that old house," some Of my reat
may ask. Yes, in that old house but there
now a cheerful fire blazing on the hearth,
cheerful countenances were around it,
AS their engagement had been kept profo
secret, the fashionable circle IN which DIR. Rids
moved heard Of the marriage with astonishni
The morning after the ceremony, a lady en;C
q splendidly furnished paror, where were sc,
NM IN Of hpr nru
"Haye you heard the news" she Breathe
inquired.
mo, what is it?' they exclaimed.
DR. Charles Ridgoy was married last nigh
"Dr. Ridgely? 70 whomi" they cried
breath.
All, that is what cannot find out. Her n
is Anna Melville, but who she is cannot tell.