Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-12-01

TIIlE MERCHANTS DAUGHTER.


: il = - E 2 = assi1aa1 50
c.-s,.e-r.cSscoaooo'1s
IllE MERCHANTS DAU6HIEk.
m Mns, 8. 6. HALL. -
- 1.,s,'s $, 8
g. osts = :. = 2 - = y 'as.' 81
There are peculiar circumstances which
train our sensibilities to receive impressions,
and misfortune either softens or hardens
the heart; the incapacity Of her mother,
the. volatility Of her sister rendered them
10th unfit companions for the high-minded
Margaret; and she might well be pardon.
Cd FOR anticipating the evening that now
Invariably brought Ernest to the cottage,
a 3 time when, free from toll and restraint,
she would meet the sympathy and tender
ness without which woman's heart must
Be sad and unsatisfied. She was not, like
many other wise aud prudent people, ut all
aware of the danger Of her position. She
had no idea that, while seeking to alleviate
or dispel sorrow by what she termed friend
Iy converse, deep and lasting feeling was
silenily, but surely, impianting itself in her
bosom, and that time and opportunity were
fostering it, either for her happiness or
misery. Her girlhood had passed without
any Of what we may call the frippery cf
love. How she had escaped the contagion
Of filtration, is wonderful Perhaps it
might be attributed to certain reserve of
manner, which served as d beacon to fools
and puppies, to warn them of whenever it
was their fortune 10 encounter Margaret
Sunderland. -
Among the wealthy citizens many had
souRht her hand; but she was not to be
courted by golden shower; and after her
fathers failure none remembered the beau
tiful daughter Of the unfortunate merchant;
it was, therefore, not to be wondered al,
thai. she valued him who yaiued her Tor
hsrself. and herself onfy-and dreamed the
sSresa that can be dred ned but once!
Many evenings were spent in that full
md perfect .trustfnlness, which pure and
xirtuous hearts alone experience. So GER
saia indeed appeared the prospect of her
Aspniness. that she sometimes doubted its
reality; and when a doubt us to The future
did arise, il pressed so heavily, SO very
heavily, upon her heart, that, with gasp.
ing engerness which excited her own as
tonishment, she cast i from her, as bur-
den toe much for her TO bear.
She had known and loved Ernest for
some monihs, when one morning their only
servant interrupted her little school, by say
ing that gentleman in the parlor wished
to speak toIher. On entering the room, q
short. dark elderly man returned her CRATE
fh1 sanitation, with an uncouth effort at
sase and self.possesslon.
sisstWiss Sunderland, presume 3"
sasShe bowed; q long pause succeeded,
which neither seemed willing to interrupt;
nnd when Margaret raised her eyes to his,
there.was something could hardly tell
Wlat--that made her tnink nim tne oearer carer
efexl stidings. Yet was the countenance
aot unpleasipg to look upon-the expanded
and somewhat elevated brow-the rouno'
full eye, that had rather benign tnah steri !,
expression, would have betokened kind
even gentle being had not the lower portion
.ofthe face boded heayiness and severity
the mouth was thin and compressed--th
chin lean and .short-fhe nose looked as
nature had at first intended to mould it ac
cording 10 the most approved of Grecial
TEXTURES, but suddenly changing her plan
left It rude piece Of unfinished workman
ship 81 safsea ..saasys .p,as
anMadnm, he at last commenced yo
,are, believe, acquainted with my son.
g ~, ....z......
IS any son, Mr., Ernest Heathwoo 8
1p Again Margaret replied by bowing.
. have resided many years abroad; bu
sif your father was living ne would Know
me we'll g5s
.essFha word Hfather,, was ever o taiismal