Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-05-09
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w
gray hairs and soothe his declining years but would
rather die among strangers, Than return to the pa
rental rooi' al The expense of sacrificing the plight
cd affections OF Il confding heart
The father thought ofhis child the days when
IN happy childhood, he had dandled him Upon his
knees. he struggle was hard one. but at last
parental affection gained the victory. The old man
"ep' IKE child Those eyes had long been
strangers TO Tears and now when nature gained the
ascendency over passion; his long cherished preju-
dice gave way, and a fathers fun and hearty con-
sent was obtained. We may well imagine the
feelings with which this Intelligence was received
by young Mason. With what vgor did the warm
blood course through those VEINS which for so many
months had 'elt cold and anguid. What radiant
glow iigh'ei up those checks, which little before
Woe pale as death
Let us now see what is doing by the other party
who has so deep stake in this narrative Col.
w. finding the health of his daughter rapidly de-
cllnlng, and being Of those fathers whose life
was bound up in the life Of his child had started
WIZ her on a tour to the Mineral Springs, with
nope mat the use the waters, with new and gay
company, added to the pure air and lovely scenery
oil tho mountains, woLld prove salutary. He had
stopped for short stay at the Alum Springs in
Rockbrldgo County
Alter Col. w had been a few days at the Springs,
he received long letter from j Y Mason, giving
him detailed account Of all that had taken place
at the house ofhis brother. When this letter was
handed by the Post Master TO the old gentleman his
Keen eye caught at glance the poSt-mark "Peters-
Ourg. His whole frame Immediately became ag-
iated He attempted TO break the seal, but such
was the Iemur of his hand that he tore the letter
Tor half lis length, and with it still unopened, retir-
ed TO his room. 1t was easy to see from his COLI
tracied brow, storm was gathering Well was
1t Tor his poor heartsunken daughter that she had
lett the room short time before and had taken her
seat with few young friends in the paror A
violent tempest soon spends itself So was it with
Vol. w. lie paced the room Tor a while with
hurried steps, and then threw himself in an agony
on the bed, the torn letter still in his hand. AS he
gathered little more composure, he opened it and
began to read Finding it TO be from J. Y Mason, he
was more disposed to read il with that care which
It's import demanded. Indeed il is proper TO saw.
Col. w. had never objected TO young Mason him
SELL butas is too often the case the old quarrel was
visited on his head. Mary was the darling of her
father; but tenderly as he loved her, he had said
hundred times, she would sooner see her, in all her
youth and beauty, laid in the grave, than give her
In marriage 10 son of Old Mason" When he
had finished the letter. describing as it did in the
most appropriate and feeling language, the long and
ardent attachment existing between Young Mason
and his lovely daughter, how the former was now
voluntary exile from home refusing TO be com
forted, yet trying TO bear up under his heavy bur
u
rIty OF his affection aud the integrity of his life
low the latter, as dutiful daughter wishing to
obey and please her father, even in what she con-
sdeged most unreasonable and oppressive was from
day to day ini,ictng the sting more deeply into a
heart already broken and bleeding under disappoint
ed hope. His determination, if persisted in, must
az no distant day BRING his daughter down with sor
row to the grave. Moreover, the letter contained
The unexpected news that Mason's father had en-
tlrely changed his purpose and was now anxious
that his sons marriage should take place.
If Old Mr.. Mason had wept before, now was
the time for Col. w. TO weep, and to weep too, as
| he had never done before. When his heart began
to soften that sObstinate course had brouoh
his charming daughter to the very jaws of death
! and 1t was even doubtful whether any thino
could be done 10 restore to her pallid cheek tina
glow OF health and TO her sunken spirit that native
vivacity which she was wont to exhibit i'm forme,
days. As nc lay in this agonizing frame of mind
still holding the crushed letter in his hand, Mar,
entered his room. The sight of his daurhter a
this critical moment, entirely overcame him, while
to her, the sight Of her father in such unexpected
agony, was well nigh being too much f,r her veal
nerves. With a loud shrek, she threw herself or
lis heaving bosom, eXclaiming ooh my father
he father attempted to speak but his voice faler
ed; after moment or two spent in vain efforts t,
gather compOsure, he thrust the letter into til,
hands OF his daughter, and then rising from the bed
hastily caught up his hat and left the room, appa
rently without any fixed purpose as to where he
would bend his steps. Poor man. language cauno
describe the deep agitation Of his soul. He wa.
soon out in the open air.
There is dense natural forest close by an,
Immediately west of the Alum Springs Hotel. tn,
solitude OF which is rendered dOubly impressive b,
the close approach OF two ovorShddowug mountains
| In this deep and dark forest Col w was soon los
a owe 4 l. al
attempt would be sacriegiousy&nd an intrusion int
that privacy which every father would claim as hi
! right III such circumstances. No let him Uo alone
and under that dark canopy of waving pines. let hi
last resolve be taken, resolve which seals tn
death warrant, or restores Inc life Of his own daurh
! ter
| Mary was partly unconscious when her fathe
! lelt the room. On recovering, she felt the lette
! III her hand She knew they contained the tidinrs
whatever they were, which had made such an i'm
| preston on her father. She resolved TO open an
read, and her snowy hand had commenced the
! work, but her heartla Again She made III
attempt and again paused. What could il be ??
She partly guessed, but was afraid TO know III
truth. At length she made out the post mari
Petersburg" which had been defaced by the mir
gled tears OF herself and father, and the rumple
state OF the paper, as held in the convulsve grasy
OF iather and daughter. This discovery inspirc
her, if not with new hope, at least with deternir
alien TO know the worst. believe it is true oef
orally, when females are brought to the point, whel
one Wod or ACT IGay turn the scale for lie, or deatl
they have more nerve and sclfcontrol than men,
No sooner had Mary determined to know the wors
than she arose and taking her seat b. the windov
read the letter through. When she knew its col
tents, and hope once more beamcd in her count
nance, she gave way TO food Of tears Her fir
thought was, what would be the decision of her f
tbeT Here new fear came over her mind-tl
thought mat perhaps her father had gone out to er
his troubles by ending his life. The very tbougI
Of this made her almost frantic and che o., L,si