Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-10-15
WHOLE NUMBER 67z

prevail between such near re'slionsi"
These were difficult questions 10 answer. Mr..
Foster was, however, on eminently Just man.
lie saw that Edgar was singulariy interested IN
his unknown relatives, that u vas impossible he
should remain satisfied with the partial light
which had been thrown upon their history, Bnd
he deemed it best, difficult as would be the task,
10 explain to him himself how the unhappy rels.
lions now existing between the families should
have come TO pass. lie was prompted, too, in
this decision, by d strong feeling Of usiIcee and
afecuon towards Mr.. Sandys and his daughter,
and though /, required great deIicgcy, where the
conduct Of parent was 10 be condemned, Mr.
Foster fulfilled his task with honesty and good
feeling. This narrative, broken by d.gress!ous
and numberIess questions from Edgar, We will
narate in an uninterrupted form, that We may
give foil explanation TO the reader and more
perfectly elucidale our story.
Mr.. Gransden, The grandfather Of Edgar, was
twice married. BY bis first marriage he became
the father Of a son, and by the second, many
years oter, Of a daughter, whose mother died
shortly after her birth. Mr. Gransdeu, though
the accumuator Of the large fortune nov enjoyed
by his family, was man Of weak and narrow
mind, aud as he advanced 10 life, he fell entirely
under the influence Of his son. His daughter, a
gentle, sweet child, whom her slep-brolher al
ways looked upon as an intruder upon his rights,
grew up neglected girl, in as far as concerned
The affection, tenderness and wsichiul care re-
quired by her sex and oge-her natural Strength
of character and good sense alone elevatIng and
guarding her agansithe many evils Of her lot.
! Her brother married, and Florence was left
alone tothe ompanIonshipot her father. When
she was about the age Of nineteen, Florence be-
came acquainted with Mr.. Sandys, then young
man just beginning life in mercantile concern
Mr.. Sandys was rather avorte with Mr.. Grams.
den; he amused him, serving to while away the
ennui Of his evening hours, and he received IRON
him every encourgcmcntto continue his intimacy
in the .amiy. This intimacy progressed ior
many months, finally strong attachment grew
up belwc cen The young people. When this be-
came known TO the younger Gransden, who en-
icrlalned dislike towards Mr. Sandys, he was
much incensed, and with his uubounded influence
over his father, had the power Of soon putting a
stop 10 any further intercourse. alt was great
presummlon," he said, "tor a beggarly fellow
like Saudys, who would never be able 10 make sail
to his bread, 10 aspire TO Mr.. Gransden's daugh'
teri aud he boldly asserted that Sandys' view.
pointed solely 10 the expected fortune OF the lady
This was q sore point with the old gentleman, ant
he perempioriIy forbid his daughter 10 receive 0
, speak to Mr.. Sandys. But things had gone TOT
far lor Florence 10 obey such cruel mandate
Her affection for Sandys had grown up immedl
, ately beneath her fathers eye and BY his tacl
, approval, and it was impossible, al the nsigauor
OF an untOunded charge. mere caprice, for he
10 yield her whole prospect ot happiness.
Mr. Sandys was ol a respectable family IN I
neghborng stale. His manners, education anc
habits were those Of gentleman, and there wa:
but one reasonable objection to his proposal; he
was not yet sufficiently established in business lC
enable hIm to marry with prudence. They were
both young, however, aud willing TO wait, and as
in our blessed land, all who perSeverngly strive
for the means Of living, will IN time succeed, thl:
objection had liule weight with the lovers.
To these arguments Mr.. Gransden, prompted
by his sou, turAed deaf ear, and finally, in {
most insulting letter, he informed Mr.. Sandy;
that, as money was without doubt the object he
sought, his daughter, if she married him, shouIc
never see cent Of his.
This was terrible blow, not only from lis in
justice, but because, for rltimg sum, such a:
Mr.. Gransdcn could not have felt the loss OF, h'
daughters happiness and prosperity might have
been assured. The lovers, however, were toC
deeply attached 10 suffer even his harsh threat
separate them; they determined 10 wait patient!
f Till Mr.. Sandys income should be sufficient io
their simple wants, and then 10 marry at all risks
This determination Florence made known 10 he
father, who, enraged at what he called her obSIi
macy, threatened 10 lurn her from his house. 4
.,C foil ~
, Florences heath began to fail. Then her love
implored her 10 marry him at once-poveuy 10
, gelhdr was not So hard to bear as the evils the!
werenow Obliged TO endure aparI. Florence com
municated her intention firmly 10 her lather;
r painful scene eusued, and the next day she lei
. The paternal roof for ever.
! In less than u year after Florence's marriage
MIR. Gransden died, leaving Ihewhole Of his enor
I nous fortune to hsso No communication wa
ever made TO Florence, by her brother, after TIM
event, and she soon had confirmation OF her suS
/ picion, that her brother had been her worst enc
l my. In winding up her fathers estate 1t wa
found, thai the concern in which MIR. Sandys hat
embarked his lule all, was made responsible 10
v the liability Of a third party, and though wort
+. from him would have averted their ruin, tha
D word was unsaid, and MIR. Sandys became pen
+ niless.
Indignant at their wrongs, yet too proud tf
S murmur, Mr.. Sandys struggled on for severa
J; years. on small salary, as clerk in amercanlll'
house. Several children were born 10 them duf
ing this period, none of whom survived but th'
r, lille Florence. Though obliged 10 toll and en
dure privatons, Mr. aud Mrs. Sandys were hap
y pier than when surrounded by the Iuxuries the,
!. had abjured for each other. Devotedly attached
congonial in all their tastes and feelings, The bur
Is dens were light and cheerfulIy borne which the
shared tog :lher. When little Florence was Il
bout eight years old, MIR. Sandys received The ap
), poinlment which he now held, and the saIar
which ii afforded, though not very large, was am
pie, compared with their former means. Mr.
Sandys was now enabled TO relieve his wife iron
i her constant exeriions, 10 afford his family lev
i ,uXurles, and give his daughter those advantage
OF education which he so much desired for her
5 The vindictiveness Of her brother's feeling
n land conduct towards her, was such as 10 preyen