Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-05-04

ed Ut that late hour oil the nighl 10 the in.
clemency Of the season.
"Priy, SIR" said the beggar 70 Ferris,
"can you give me triHei an nearly
starved and chilled through by the nigh,
air"
Ferris, after few moments conversation
with the beggar, for he had not the heart
TO turn away from the suiierings Of fel.
low creature, and handing him purse,
containing some five or six dollars, urged
him to seek immediate shelter aud food
The beggar blessed him and passed on.
A few nights subsequent 10 this occur
renee he was again at her fathers house,
Mrs Howell, Annc's mother, received him
as she did most OF her visitors, with a some
what constrained and distant welcome--
Being a woman Of no great conversational
powers, she always retired early, conduct
ing her intercourse with society in the most
formal manner. Ferris was much surpris-
ed that Mr. Howell had taken no particular
notice of his intimacy at his house, for he
seldom saw him, and when he could The
old mans eyes bent siernly on him, in any
thing but friendly and inviting spirit. In
this dilemma, he was at a loss what course
TO pursue, since Anne's acknowledgment
Of her affection for him. and now be had
succeeded in this, he was equally distant
from the goal Of his happiness. for his better
Judgment told him thai the consent OF her
parents could never be obtained. On this
occasion he had taken his leave as usual,
when he was met by the beggar OF the for
mer night, who again solicited aims, declar-
ing that he could find no one else to assist
him, and that the money before bestowed
upon him had been expended for food and
rent OF a miserable cellar where he bad
lodged.
Again Ferris placed purse in the old
mans hand, a, the same time telling him
that he was himself poor, and constrained
10 the practice Of rigid economy in the sup
port of those dependent on him. lie left
the beggar and passed on his way, happy in
having contributed to the alienation OF hu.
man suffering.
Not long subsequent, Ferris called one
evening at the house OF Mr. Howell. and
fortunately found Anne aud her father
alone, the former engaged on piece Of
embroidery Of new pattern, and the latter
porting over a volume Of ancient philosophy.
On his entrance the old gentleman took no
further appsrent notice OF him than slight
inclination OF the head and good even.
ing, sir" He took chair BY Anne's side
and told her OF his love in low ba, ardent
tones, begging permission - sPeak 20 her
| father on the subject
"Oh, he will not hear a word Of the
matter, I know" said the sorrowing girl
"No longer ago than yesterday, he spoke
TO me relative 10 connection with Nj
Reed. i can never love but one man,
said the beauty, giving him her hand.
Ferris could bear this suspense no long.
er. In fact. the hint relative TO her ALI
ance TO another, spurred him TO action
He proceeded to tina, part Of The room
where Mr. Howell sat, and after few intro
ductory remarks, said:
"You have doubtless observed. sir, my in
timacy in your family for more than yea
past. From the fact that you did not OBJ
iect 10 my attentions to your daughter,
have been led to hope that il might not b,
altogether against your wishes. May ask
sir, with due respect. your opinion in thi
matter"
, 81 have often seen you here" replied NJ
Howell, "and have no reason TO object 4
your visits, sir !"
"Indeed, sir, you are very kind. hay,
neither fortune nor rank TO offer you
daughter, but still, embodened by love,
+ ask you for her hand"
) The old man laid by his book, aud re
, moving his spectacles, asked
"Does the yonng lady sanction this re
quest p
. "She does"
} Sand you ask"
S "Your daughters hand"
: at is yours |"
Ferris sprang in astonishIneul 10 his feel
: saying;
n al hardly know how TO receive your kind
ness, my dear sir; had looked for differ
|. ent treatment"
Listen, young man." said the fatheI
"do you think should have allowed you :
!, become intimate in my family wi,hou, frs
!, knowing your character Do you think
i should have given you this precious child,
e and here placing her hand in Ferris, -
e you, before had proved youi No sir, OF
|, Of Anne's many suitors, from the wealthiei
+ and highest in society. long since selec
e ed you as one in whom could feel conf
! dence. The world calls me cold and ca
:. culating man perhaps am so but ha
;, duty TO perform to Him who had enirus
e ed me with the happiness Of this blesse
!. child; | have eudeayored TO perform thi
n trust faiihfully--ihe dictates Of my prid
is may have been counterbalanced by desiI
for my daughters happiness, chose 70
81 irst-she has since voluntarily done so.
e know your life and habits, your means an
{, prospecis--you need tell me nothing
Al With your wife you receive an ample 10
4. tune the dutiiul son and ahectional
4, brother, cannot but make good husban
9. But stay, will be with you in moment
,f aud he left the lovers together.
j. "The story Of your marriage with Rec
= was only to try your heart then, and ihicl
sc en- the plot" said Ferris TO the blushing gil
e At this moment the room door open'
AZ and the beggar whom Ferris had twice :
lieyed entered. and stepping up to Ferri
solicited charity Anne recoiled at irst
" The detected appearance aud poverty strc
u, en- looks of the intruder. while Ferris as
" ed in establishment how he had gained !
Sc entrance into the house. Ia a moment d
figure rose to stately height, and castil
lg off the disguise il had worn. discovered 4
" person Of Anne's father, Mr. Howell