The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-06-24
OUR FIRsT-B oRN.
ny A. J. PRIME, NJ. d.

loH Lee, on the lulru anniversary OF ner mar
riage. 1t was also the second anniversary
of the birth day of her boy, who was born
just one year after marriage. But must in
troduce her formally to my readers, aud for
this purpose let me luke them to her fathers
house. Will you let me choose the timer
Then let il be in May one month before she
was married.
The house is large, antique looking build
ing, near the centre of the village Of,
a few miles out of N. York. Ample grounds
surround il, and fine green lawn spreads
out before the door. In many places large
forest trees stand in thick clumps, planted by
the hand of man to be sure, years before, yet
not in symmetrical rows, but as near like ma
ture as they could be scattered. Here and
there n bunch of evergreens cluster together
with their sombre shadow, and two or three
ancient pines whistle their doetul music III
the gentle wind. Old ivy has crept up one
end of the house, and covered il completely,
and around and over the old fashioned porti-
co is dense and tangled growth of climbing
plants that almost inclose it. The lawn is
sprinkled here and there with flower beds
cut into the neat and close shaven sod. Over
all the place there is an air of age, and dis
play of taste and luxury. The present pos
SCISSOR is the third line from the original,own-
err, and he would not alter its appearance on
any account.
Let us enter the house. This is the sitting
room. take it, reader, you arc something
of cairvoyant, and can see as do. That
stern and naughty looking man of about fif-
ty years, is Mr. Anderson-Jnmes Anderson
AN incorruptible republican by profession,
bat at heart as sturdy and uncompromisinlg
despot as ever hreathed. His very look,
his eye, his position, every moment speaks
an indomitable pride, and speaks the truth
lie is proud of his ancestry--a thing in his
case worth being of, lift is in any; of his rich
old grandfather who built these old walls,
and left eXhaustess riches 10 his descendants;
of his father, who had done deeds to make
his descendants glory in his memory; and he
is proud of his wealth. naughty old aristo-
crat. seeking to disguise his true heart under
the title of republican. But in this he is
honest. He thinks he is one, though he would
willingly crush with his heel any man in the
village who aspires TO be his equal. Sec
his stern dark eye is fixed upon us as we en-
ter the door, as if he would drive us back.
Shall we venture III?
Certainly we will We are republicans too,
and have sterling blood running in our veins
blood that Vcame down to from the Pill
grims, who fnced sterner frowns than mans.
Who has better? Besides, promised to in
troduce you TO Marion. She rises TO well
come us. She has her mothers look-tbe
same mild blue eye &auburn huir-the same
graceful form and the same gentle heart.
Her mother has been dead for some years,
but she lived long enough to leave, when she
died, a holy influence on the mind of her
daughter. Did say her heart was her moth
er's? So il is, but there is in it a strength of
determination and frmness of purpose that
came from the fnther's side; and though she
is gentle, and affectionate, and kind, yet TO
follow tho dictates other trustful woman's
love, she is ready this moment to sacrifice IA
Their, home, wealth, all to be the wife of Hair
nv Lee. Her father fears this, and hates him
with all his heart, and rather than see Mari
on his wife, he would see her in her grave.
Sweet Marion! ! love her as a sister in spite
of her stern old father and his aristocratic
pride, Now lie. us 60.
"Marion," said her father. .......
| She calmly turned her face towards him,
as she laid her work in her lap to listen to
him. ..... ...t .. .... ...t... :.
"Narion, do you still continue to receive
this Harry Lee with favor?" ....
.sFather YOU Know
"Nay. answer me. Would you stoop SO
low as to marry this beggar?" ....,. 50
ale is no beggnr," she said firmly; and he
saw his own spirit rising in his daughter.
"Yet would have you give your sanction to
what is for my future happiness"
|
dead, than disgracing your family by such an
alliance" ......
They were unfortunate words to speak TO
girl with Marion's spirit, and Maron's love,
and most unfortunate Just at that time, Tor
thew were hardly spoken before the subject
of them entered He was met at his entrance
bv a torrent of wrath. Marion interposed,
but all in vain. The young man was driven
from the house with curses.
He was no beggar. A few years netore,his
father had been n man of immense wealth.,
and friend ofMr Anderson's 1t was under
tsuch circumstances that their children first
knew each other, and had affairs continued
to stand as then, there would have been no
hindrance in the way oftheir union. Indeed
the highest wish of the proud man would
have been gratfed. But by series OF mis-
fortunes, Mr. Lee saw large part OF his
wealth swept away, and under the accumu-
lating sorrow consequent upon IT, he sunk
and died. The remaining property divided
amongst the children made but small por-
ton for each. Harry had already commenc-
ed businesscns lawyer,and in distant part
ofthe State stimulated by his reduced clrcum-
stances, was pressing on TO eminence.
strange love in the mean time, had grown
I'D in his heart for Marion, and he knew that
she returned it, But with her father there
wasa great difference between Harry Lee
the son ola rich man. and Harry Lee the
poor LAWYER, n distinction which resulted as
we have already seen.
Marion did not weep. She returned to her
seat, and calmly resumed her work. That
night. when she retired to her room, a letter
Law on the floor. She opened and read
"To night, Marion, dearest at IL o'clock meet
me Mt this window. Then ifyou will be mine
-ifyou are still the same have ever known
youEI shall be ready. Ifyou know the depth