The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-03-09

wants and ills Oflife, Ferris had enjoyec
a liberal education, and having entered
the Navy as Midshipman, had raised Il
a Lieutenancy, by reason Of his superior
requirements and good conduct. Hi'
profession had led him to all parts of the
world, and he had carefully improved his
adyantages-though constrained by reason
of his limited means. to the practice
of the most rigid economy .e.-
He had met with the only daughter Of
Harris H---,oDe of the wealthy citi
zens of Boston, at fete given on board
the ship, to which he belonged, and had
Immediately become enamored of her,
but he we'll knew IN his own heart the
difference intheir fortunes formed a bar
rier to his wishes. He had been a casual
visitor for several months subsequent to
the time our story commences at the house
of the H family.
4 must think of her no more, said Fer
ris to himself If am sneered at by
her friends for offering her common ci-
Whites, with what contempt would her
austere parents receive proposition for
her hand from one so poor and un.
known ....... ...,..... ..' ......
Harris H-,was indeed a stern old
man and yet he was said to be kind to
the poor, giving freely Of his bounty to
the reliefuf the needy. Still he was "a
strange man; he seldom spoke to those
around him, yet he evinced the warmest
love for his only child aud Anne too loved
her father with an ardent affection. His
delight was to pour over his library, liv-
ing, as it we've, in the fellowship of the
old philosophers. On several occasions,
when Ferris was at his house, and en-
gagged in conversation with Anue, he had
observed the old mans eye bent Sternly
upon him, when bis heart would sink
within him, and he would wake to ZEAL
ity of his situation. .s .I.
Ferris was one evening in Beacon st,
at the house of Mr.. where in
spite of the cold reception he received
from those he generally met there, he still
enjoyed himself in the beliefthat Anne
was not Indifferent TO his regard. He had
been relating to her, at her request, his
experience with different national char
acters with whom he had met, speaking
oftheir peculiarities, and describing the
various scene effects Ofdifferent countries.
Anne sat near sweet geranium, whose
leaves she was industrio1sly engaged in
destroying, Ferris bending close to her
ear, said: . sh.,.
Anne, will you pluck me that rose, as
a token of Affection? you must know how
ardent is mine for you-or stop dearest,
behind it blows the condruft. You know
the mystic language of both, will you
choose and give me oneP
'Hush-hush, Ferris said the blushing
aud trembling girl, plucking and handing
him the RosEl'
This passed when the attention of the
company present was drawn 10 some en-
gaging object. Never before had Ferris
received any evidence of Anne's love
save from her tell-tale eyes. The flower
was placed next to his heart and he left
the apartment. He had proceeded but a
few steps from the house when he was
accosted by a poor mendicanl, clothed in
rags, who was exposed at that late hour
of the night to the inclemency of the sea.
son.
Pray, sir, said the beggaT to Ferris,
can you give me triAe2-I am nearly
starved and chilled through by this nights
air. '
Ferris after few moments conversa-
tion with the beggar. for he had not the
heart to turn away from the suffering of
fellow creature, and handing him n
purse containing five or six dollars, urged
HIM To seek immediate shelter and food,
The beggar blessed him and passed on.
A few nights subsequent to this occur
renee he was again at her fathers house
Mrs. H, -,Anne's mother received
him MS she did most of her visitors, with
some what constrained and distant well
come. Being a woman of no great con-
versationa powers, she always re-
tired quite early conducting her inter-
course with society in the most formal
manner Ferris Vas much su p sell
that Mr.. H H-,had taken no particu.
lar notice of his intimacy at his house, for
he seldom saw him and when he could,
the old mans eyes bent sternly upon him
in anything but friendly aud inviting
spirit. In this dilemma, he was at loss
what course to pursue, since Anne's ac.
acknowledgement of her affection for him,
and now he had succeeded in this he was
equally distant from the goal Of his hap,
piness, for his better Judgment told him
that the consent of her parents could new.
er be obtained. On this occasion he had
taken his leave as usual, when he was
met by the beggar of the former night,
who again solicited aims, declaring that
he could find no one else to assist him,
aud that the money he had before be
slowed upon him had been expended for
fooG and rent of miserable cellar where
he had lodged.
Again Ferris placed purse in the
poor mans hand, at the same time telling
him that he himself was poor. and con
strained to the practice of rigid economy
in the support of those dependent upon
him. He left the beggar and passed on
his way happy in having contributed to
the alienation of human suffering.
Not long subsequent, Ferris called one
evening at the house of Mr. II. .and
f,rtnnntalu found Anna and her fathar n.