Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-07-20
5 Whole No. l3.
Freed upon the Water.
nY T. S. ARTHUR.

under the weight Of n heavy basket, on the
afternoon Of sultry day IN August. He had
been sent home with some goods 10 a customer
who lived a shon distance IN the country. The
boy was lightly built and his burden almost
bcyond his strength. Many times he sat down
10 Irst himself on his way up the hl.--But
II seemed as II he would HerT reach The sum-
nit Each lime he lifted the basket, it felt
heavier than before
The boy was about half way up the hill with
his basket, when gentleman overlook and
passed him. lie had not gone on many PAGES,
when he stopped, and turning round TO The lad
looked NJ him for moment or two, and then
said. bindly.--
That's heavy load you have, my boy.
Come let me help YOU.
And the gentleman took the basket, and
carried II TO the top Of the hill.
There. Do you think you can get along
now said he, with a smile, as he sat the basket
down. Or shall carry II little tarlherF
n on no, thank YOU, sir, returned the hoy,
with glow Of gratitude on his fine young face.
can carry II now, very well and am very
much obliged to YOU
Iou are right welcome, my little man,
said the gentleman, and passed on.
Twenty ycals from that time, care-worn
man. well advanced life, sat moiloncss IN an
old arm chair, with his eyes fixed ln,enty upon
the glowing crate. lie Mas alone, appeared
to be IN a state OF deep abstraction. In liiile
while. however the door OF the room opened,
and "A lovely girl elldod IN.
'Paua, SAID low, sweet voice, and hand
was laid gently on the old man arm
is it YOU, dcar! he returned, with low
sigh
/ Yes. papa, and the young girl leaned
against hn, and parted with her delicate hngcrs
tho thin, gray locks that lay IN disorder about
his forehead.
4 i would like 20 be alone for this evening,
Tl1rcncc.' SAID the cd man. Il have good
deal 10 ,hnk about, and expect person on
business.
4 And he kissed her tonderly yet sighed as he
passed his hps TO hers.
The girl passed from the room as nolselesslV
a. she had eu,cred. The old man had been
calm before her coming IN, but the moment she
retired. he became agitalcd. and arose. ard
ga'Fcd The tioor uncasily. lie continued -
pace 10 and fro. for nearly half ar hour, when
Le stopped, suddenly, ard listened. ihe
street door bell had rune. Ia hule while
man entered the room.
! Mr.. Mason ne said, with slightly percepil-
bic embarrassment.
Mr.. Page returned the old man, with
feeble, quickly fading smile. Good morning.
and he offered ms hand
| The visitor grasped the hand and shook 1t
warmly. But there was no pressure III Ieluih'
Sit down, Mr.. Page
! The man ,ook chair, and Mr.. Mason sat
down near him
You promised an answer TO my proposal,
I,o-mpht. said the former, after pause
/ 'IdiG, returned the old man but am as
little prepared to give it as ] was YESTERDAY.
In fact. | have not found an opportunity to say
ANYTHING to Florence on the subject
/ The cpurtenauce of the vistori fell, aud some
thing like frown datkened upon his brow.
| There was an embarrassing silence OF some
minutes after which the man called Page,
raid.--
Mr.. Mason, have made an honorable
proposal lcr your daughter hand, FOR weeks
you have eVaded, and do silI eNadc an answer
Tins seems 80 much like irliIng, that began
To feel as If lust cause for offence existed. .
None is Intended, do assure you,' replied
Mr.. Mason, with something dcPrecailng ia
hs tone. - But YOU must remember, Nr. rage,
that Won have never sought to YIN the .yoUu.
Girl 5 affection, and that, ~ consequence,
the ollar of marriage which You wish me 10
make 10 her. will be received with surpnst,
and il may br dsapproy,l. wish to approach
her. ON this subject. with proper discretion. ---
70 be- too pIccipilate, may siaulc her INTO NJ
slant rcpuuuaucc to your wishes.
She loves you. does she notn inquired
PAGE. with a marked significance Of manner.
4 child never loved patent moro tender.
w. replied Nh. Mason.
Give her, then, au uudiagu'sod history "i
your embarrassment. SHOW her how your
fortunes are trembling on the bruk ot runs
and thai yuu have but one hope oi roiici an"
safely left The day she becomes my wic,
YOU arc removed from all danger. VIII you
do ,hsn
The old mau did not reply lie was lost IN
a dcop rrygnr. IL doubtful whether he
heard all that the man hud said.
'NlIl YOU do this repeated Page, and
with some lmpatlcuce IN his tone.
/ Mason aroused himself as from a drram,aud
an svcrcd with great frmuCs- aud ilaunN.
+ Mr Page the struggle ~ my MUD IS over.
au prepared for the worst have no idea
that flo,eucc will favor you" suit, aud / "ili
not use single argument Ia mnu,brc hei
I'm that matter, she must remain perfectly nee
Approach her ~ a man, and win her " you
have the power To 90 so. " IS your only hope
rs II slung by serpent, Page started 'r"'"
hrs chair
You will repent this, sir hc augrlc reiori'
cd. aud repent IT bitterly. came TO yor
with honorable proposals 'or Your daughter
hand Won listened to them gave mc cncour-
a,cmcn,. aud promised me- an answer iongh,.
Now you meet me with insult SIr you VIII
repent this
F, MIR. Mason yeulurcd no reply, but merely,
bov,d ln token of his willingness 10 meet aud
bear all consequences that might COME.
u Fora long time after his angry visitor had
retired. did Mr.. Mason cruss aud re crosH
the floor with measured tread. NJ last be-
rung a bell and directed the servant Who came
to say TO Florence tha, he wished 10 see be-.
/ When Florence came she WIS surprised '"
see that her father was strongly agiiaied.
~ down. dear he sad ~ irimblng
voice. have something 20 say To you tha'
must be- NO longer concealed
Florence looked wondorugy INTO her ialhors
cire. while her heart hegau 10 sink
/, Just then servant opened ,hc door and
llushcred IN a s,ranper lie was tai fn" look
|. np man. just IN lie prIuc OF lie. florence
quickly retired. bu, Uo, bei0rr th" ufiut had
fxsd h.s eycs uron be- ia,s, ana u,a'"cd we
-prpi pTrr'.lun