Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-02-16
Do Not Marry for Money.



nj her mothers feet, and looking earnestly
up in her mothers face "have you any new
cause for anxiety. or rather has my marry
ing MIR Carson anything TO do with III Oh
you will not, you cannot, dear mother, add
your entreaties to fathers; aud contrary to
those principles you have endeayored to
instill, persuade me to marry one can new
or love. Speak quickly, mother, aud relieve
my doubling heart"
"You have partly OWNED the cause oi
my care, but not all. No, dearest Ida |
too well know the cares and anxieles Of
the married life, that require the most de-
voted affection to bear one through with
them (for instance. this fearful change 10
your father,) ever TO wish you to marry,
save from the purest motives"
Mr. Woodruff was an extensive merchant
in Philadelphia. aud, marrying early in life,
for many years enjoyed uninterrupted hap
piness. lie had two daughters, Ida and
Emily and two loyelier girls were moi 10
be found. When Ida was abon, ten sears
OF age. Mr. Woodruff failed and being
man Of the strictes, integrity. he gave up
everything TO his creditors, so that it took
all he possessed to satisfy them. Forum
ately for him, he had married an only
daughter whose property had been secured
TO her and her children, else had he found
himself completely destitute. Mrs Wood.
hull owned beautiful place short dis
lance from the city, and here they now re-
tired; and Mr. Woodruff obtaining a situa.
ton ina bank, once again had every com.
fort ut command. and enjoyed for many
years health and happiness.
Shortly after this, he was FRUSTRATED by a
severe attack Of congestive fever, and for
days seemed lingering between life and
death; but having a strong constitution and
excellent nursing, he soon regained his
health. Alas! poor Mrs Woodruff she
found his mind so much impaired by H.
ness, as to incapacitate him entirely for bu-
siness. But this was not all he had be.
come peiulent, suspicious, and unreasona-
BILE in all things. Well might Mrs Wood
hull say il needed the strongest attachment
to bear with him. And this was the sever
est trial Of all to this amiable woman, to
find him whom she had loved and reverenc.
ed, become so entirely changed.
Ida had now attained her nineteenth year
and added TO her other accomplishments, I
highly finished musical education. But hel
principal charm was in the expression will
which she sang: so compislely would sh,
touch the innermost chord o. the heart, tina
not until she had ceased, we're you aware
the spell that had bound you. She had
mind richly stored with knowledge; anc
being the constant companion Of her inesii
mable mother, she had imbibed those higl
and holy principles. which, based upon tn,
Rock of Ages, no time can change. Sucl
was Ida at the commencement Of our tale.
1t was at small party she first becam
acquainted with Mr. Carson, a rich English
man, whom she completely fascinated: an,
he who had withstood the powerful aitrac
tions Of the fashionable beauties Of the day
was at the age Of forty subdued by the magi
Of sweet sounds From that he becom
particularly attentive TO Ida, never doubtin
that he had only to offer himself TO be mo.
graciously accepted.
Ida intuitively perceived the impressio
she had made, and too honorable to encoul
age feelings she could not reciprocste, sh
endeavored as delicately as possible to dis
courage him in his attentions. Judge, ther
what must have been her surprise and vexI
ton, when her father babe her receive NJ
Carson as her accepted lover. II was the
Ida was made to feel the bitterness of thi
change which sickness had wrought. ii
that had formerly. studied TO CRAFTY ever
wish OF her heart, and at any time to foreg
his own pleasure for that of his wife an
daughters, now, in the embarrassments a
tending his situation, wished TO sacrifice b
daughters happiness for that wealth. which
having lost the means TO obtain, he bega
TO consider indispensable.
{, And now oil the energy of Mrs Woodruff
character was called forth to restore peac
aud comfort to her household. She Ell
deavored to reason with her husband, an
by fond persuasion 10 win him over TO b.
view of the subject for she was fully d.
termined that Ida's warm affections and FIR
/, principles Of truth should not become a sa
rihce 10 wealth.