The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-05-08
VoL.

with q Drother mercnant, VINO flad an
only son, he proposed the affair-upon
conditions, &c. Iegs as4d hsii esslqls
| After mature dsliberation, the match
was agreed upon, provided the y young
couple were ready and willing TO ratify
the agreement. Archibald, on his part,
smiled at the idea ofa demur on the
part Of his daughter; and the introduc-
ton took place, the father and son din
ling with Archibald aaasaap asai 5gtu
Strange to say, the young couple ap-
peared mutually pleased; for, stranger
still, they had previously met "promis-
cuousIy' at the house of friend; on
which occasion, young Mr.. Belton had
been rather particular in his attentions
to Maria, who had been particularly
pleased; for he was a very, fine young
IfelIow, and was quite the observed Of
all observers; and Maria had, it must
be confessed, little vanity in her com
position, and felt rather gratihed at
scarrying him Off onathat occasion,
although she had never seen him since.
-aOf course she complied with her pa
rents request, that she should receive
! Mr.. Bolton as her affianced husband +,
| without a murmur, although the little
rogue did exhibit an apparent indiffer-
ence on the occasion, which was naugh-
| ty, perhaps, but pardonable. s5'sfs
Letters were exchanged by the mer-
chants, setting forth that "one month
| from the date hereof" ten thousand
pounds should be advanced by each on
the day of the marriage Of Frederick
Belton, ESQ.,, junior, the son OF josiah
Belton, ESQ.,, to Maria, the daughter of
| Archibald Merton, Esq, &c., &c. aaie
The young couple meanwhile passed
a delightful time in the interchange Of
the tenderest sentiments, sanctioned by
their parents; and, unalloyed by any
pecuniary considerations, which were
left entirely to the discussion Of the
original contractors, enjoyed a felicity
| that was truly enviable. ntGpe ahcs
Mantua makers and miliners were
busily employed in preparing for the
happy event, and Maria was ir>the an
ticipation of every earthly enjoyment,
| when one week before the proposed
nuptials, Archibald. came home from
..Change" an hour before his accus-
toned time. '1 +s' 81 s144 fffngi
There was cloud upon his brow,
that checked the exuberant joy Of his
child, and chilled the blood in her veins.
"Gi,," said he,. throwing his hat'up-
on the sofa, "that old fool, Belton, has
been specializing in hops, they have,
fallen in the market, and he IS ruined
man--alI gone!-found hanging in his
warehouse!' ~ | a@a7a ,n,54
,"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed MAJ
ria, dropping in a chair, and looking
like a corpse atthe sudden commune.
cation of ill-tidings, "poor gentleman"
i"poor indeed" exclaimed Archibald
bitterly. III hold a thousand pounds of
his worthless paper, and his estate will
not yield iarthing in pound" ssa.
"Oh. snw said Maria, "let US 60 and
comfort Frederick. What must his
feelings bel" ~.
"Frederick! comfort him! You do
not think Of your father, you migrate
ful girl. Can he pay me my thousand
poundsl He is a beggar; think no
more Of him." .'k ~ 4af.''i ia:'|
"Oh, sir!" said Maria, "you are veal
thy. This loss cannot, will not affect
you. Bid me not forget him whom you
have commanded me to love and re-
ceive as my husband" il 4 ao.g7hT
.Peace, unfeeling girl4' cried Archi:
bald, anor dare 10 mention the son of
the man who has robbed-and plundered
me. He is beggar, and no match for
the daughter Of Archibald Merton.-
Never more shall he cross the thresh-
hold of my door. Forget himw 3,,y
Maria did not hear this last command,
for she fell as if stricken by death upon
the floor Of the drawing-room.o Arch
| libald rang the bell, and SUNNI oning the
servants, left The forlorn and hapless
maid to their ministrations, and retreat
| ed, to his accustomed coffee house, e
ascertain if there were any hope Of 9
dividend from the estate Of Belton, !,
Recovering fromh swoon, and find
ling that her obdurate father had left
!, the house, Maria, attended by her maid,
with the boldnsss Of despair, immedi-
ately sought her afflicted lover. 4nil
i Her absence, was eunobserved; her
/, obedience, indeed, was undoubtedj but
surely, under the peculiar circumstan-
ces other situation, her conduct could
\ not abe reprehsnded by the seyerest
moralst, lorothe love Archibald had
commanded could not be contermand-