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

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 al
lance TO another, spurred him to action
He proceeded to that part Of the room
where Mr.. H.--sat and after few
introductory remarks. he said.
'You have doubtless observed, sir my
Intimacy in your family for more than a
year past. From the fact that you did
not object to my atten;ionsto your daugh
ter, | have been led to hope that it might
not be altogether against your wishes.
May ask. sir, with due respect, your 0
pinion inthis matter2 t.....
4 have often seen you here replied
NTH H---,'and have no reason to object
to your visits sir .'....
Indeed. sir, yon are very kind. have
neither fortune nor rank to offer your
daughter, but still emboldened by love
| ask you for her hand
The old man laid by his book, and re
moving his spectacles, asked
Does the lady sanction this requestP
She does ...
Aud you ask ,. ...
Your daughters hand r.-. ...
1T is yours .. .. ..... ...
Ferris sprang in as,onishment to his
feet, saying ..... 4.f. .. s
i hardly know how to receive your
kindness, my dear sir; had looked for
different treatment.
Listen young man. said The father,
| do you think should have allowed you
to become intimate in my family, without
first knowing your character do you think
should have given this precious child
land here placing her hand in Ferris to
you before | had proved youl No sir
out of Anne's many suitors from the
wealthiest and highest in society, | long
since selected you as one in whom could
fell confidence The world calls me a cold
and calculating man, perhaps | am so;
but | had duty to perform to Him who
had entrusted me with the happiness of
this blessed child; have endeavored to
perform that trust faithfully-the dictates
of pride may have been counterbalanced
by desire for my daughters happiness.
| chose you first she has since vounta
lrily done 50. | know your life and hab.
its-your means and prospects--y
need tell me nothing. With your wife
you receive an ample fortune; the duliful
son and affectionate brother, cannot but
make good husband. But stay, will
be with you in moment, and left the low.
ers together
The story of your marriage with R
-.was only To try your heart. then,
and thicken the plot said Ferris to the
blushing girl
AT this moment the door opened and
the beggar whom Ferris mad twice re
lieved, entered aud stepping up to Ferris
solicited charity. Anne recoiled at first
at the detected appearance and poverty
stricken looks of the intruder while Fer
ris asked in astonishment how he had
gained entrance into the house. In a
moment the figure rose to a stately height
and casting off the disguise it had worn
discovered the person of Anne's father.
The astonishment OF the lovers can
hardly be conceived.
Il determined said the father address
sing Ferris, after had otherwise proved
your character, to test one virtue, which
ofall others is the greatest. Charity. And
had you failed that, you would also have
failed with me in this purpose of mar
rlage. You were weighed in the balance
and not found wanting Here sir is your
first purse, it contained six dollars when
you gave il to the beggar in The street-it
now contains check for six thousand;
and here is your second that contained
five dollars, which is also multiplied by
thousands. Nay said the old man as
Ferris was about to inject to it, there is
no need of explanaiion-it was fair
business transactOn.
This was ofcourse all mystery to Anne
but when explained added to her love
for her future husband.