Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-12-06

rolcasc him from an engagement be had never
iItcHded TO contract. He would, moreover
Simpson was anything but churlish or ungene-
rous man-bestow upon her marriage portion
Of, say, four or FIVE hundred pounds, which would
doubtless enable her to marry respectfully, and
thus console her for her present disappointment.
Thus philOsophizing and reasoning, Mr.. Simp-
sons spirits, considering the suddenness of the
shock he had endured, rallied wonderfully, and
he was enabled to address few words ofcourse
to Miss Foltescue in almost cheerful voice and
manner. The ladys answer was uttered in the,
gentlest, sweetest tones he ever listened to and
Mr. Simpson was connoisseur il voices. The
conversation continued became general and
the dinner, commenced SO inauspiciously, passed
of, considering all things, remarkably well;;.
After dinner, Miss Fortescue-her frends,Rh
greatly esteemed her, generously drawing forth
her pOwers-appeated to great advantage. Her
mind, ola superior order, lad been well cutivat.
ed, and her conversation was at once refined,
sparkling, and sensible. Mr.. Simpson was sur
prised, pleased, almost charmed. Music was
proposed, and she sang several songs admirably.
Mr.. Simpson determined to postpone his explain
ation-necessarily an unpleasant one--till the
next day, when he would do it by letter. The
party separated about nine o'clock long before
which hour it had several times glanced across
the ironmongcr's mind, that dislike to any par
ticular coloredihr was, after all, very absurd
prejudice as to the cast, that, he was satisfied,
vas 30 slight as scarcely to deserve TIE name.
1t had been arranged that they should all dine
with the Frazers the day after the next and rs
Mr. Simpson handed Mary Fortescue into the
cab, in which MIR. and Mrs. Frazer were already
seated, she whispered, "Obge me by coming
on Sunday half an hour before the time appoint
ed; have something of Importance to say to
you" Mr.. Simpson bowed, and-how could he
do less?-raised the lady's hand to his lips. the
carriage drove off, and the worthy man was left
IN the most perplexing state of dubiety and ire
solution imaginable. He began to think he had
gone too far to recede with henor and, what
was very extraordinary, he felt scarcely sorry for
1t! At oil events he would not act rashly :;
Sunday was not far off: he would defer his ex
planation till then .r
Mr. Simpson, punctnal to his engagement
found Miss Fortescue awaiting him alone. lie
fet on this occasion none of tire violent emotions
he had experienced on tn eprevicus Friday. His
heart, instead of knocking and humping like
Gagged wild thing, beat TRANQUILITY in his bosom;
yet it was net without calmly pleasurabIe emo
ton that he met the confding, grateful smile
which beamed on his entrance over the lady's
features. Seating himself beside her, he, with
respectful gentleness, requested her to proceed
with the matter she wished to Communicate
She blushlngly complied, and speedily begued
him, II not of his tears, which am not quite sure
about, of something, under the circumstances
Tar more valuable. /" Her family, not many wears
before in apparently affihent circumstances, had
oeen' by reVerSes intrade, suddenly cast down
into extreme poverty. The only surviving MEN,
oers OF 1t, her mother and youngest sister, had
0een long principally dependent on her exer-
tons for support. This assistance she had for
tunately been able to render had hitherto suficed
them bet of course, ifehe married, that source
Of income must fail; and she never tcould marry
indeed she had never, till surprised by his ge-
nerous offer, contemplated marrage-but she
was even now fully resolved never to do so I'M
less-unless = Mary Fortescue paused
in her narrative, and her timid, inquiring glance
rested anXiously upon the varying countenance
Of her auditor.
Mr.. Simpson was not made Of udomant, nor of
iron, though he traded in the article and no
wonder, therefore, that the graceful manner, the
modest, pleading earnestness, the gentle tones
the filial piety of his betrothed SHOULD have van
quished, subdued him. Her features, plain as
they undoubtedly we're, irradiated by the lustre
Of Il beautiful soul, kinded into absolute beau-
y! AT all events Mr.. Simpson must have
thought SO, or he would not have caught the Joy
iully-weepingmaiden in his arms and exclaimed
In answer to her agitated appeal, unless your
home may be theirs also ?". Be it so: / have
thank God enough ard to spare for ALL"
Thus was oddly brought about, and finally
determined on, one of the happiest marriages, If
Mr.. Simpson himself is%o be belevcd-and he
"4g@ to knOw-that holy church has ever bless
Cd. Should he attain, of which there is every
reasonable prospect, the dignity of Lord Mayor,
ne will, am sure, attribute that, as he now does
all fortunate events, ts his supreme good.luc in
having unwittingly fallen in love with another
mans wife!