The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1849-03-31

"N N"S 6'' f""6 oHN Hahuilil
him the ROSE
This passed when the attention of the
company present was drawn to some enga
gng object. Never before had Ferris re
Ceived any evidence of Anne's love save
from her lell-tale eyes. The flower wa:
placed next to his heart, and he left tht
apartment. He had proceeded but few
steps from the house when he was accos.
ted by apoor medicant, clothed in rags
who was exposed at that late hour of the
night to the inclemency of the season.
Pray, said the beggar to Ferris, 'car
you give me trihe ! am nearly star
we'd and chilled through by this night
air,
Ferris, after few moments converse.
ton with the beggar, for he had not the
heart to turn away from the suferings OF
fellow creature, and handing him a 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 al her fathers house.
Mrs. Howell, Anne's mother, received him
as she did most of her visitors, with some
what constrained and distant welcome. -
Being woman Of no great conversational
powers she always retired early, conduc-
ting her intercourse with society IN the
most formal manner. Ferris was much
surprised that Mr. Howell had taken no
particular notice of his intimacy at lis
house, for he seldom saw him, and when
he could, the old mans eyes bent s,ernly
upon him, in anything but a friendly and
inviting spirit. In this dilemma, he was
at loss what course TO pursue, since An
mes acknowledgements Of her affection for
him, and now he had succeeded in this,
he was equally distant from the goal of his
happiness, for his better judgment told him
that the consent other parents could never
be obtained. On this occasion he had ta-
ken his leave as usual, when he was met
by the beggar of the former night who
again solicited aims, declared that he could
find no one else 10 assist him, and that mo-
ney he had before bestowed upon him had
been expended for food and rent of a mis-
cradle cellar where he had lodged.
Again Ferris placed purse in the poor
mans hand, at the same time telling him
that he was himself poor, and constrained
in the practice of rigid economy in the
support of those dependent upon him. He
left the beggar and passed on his way hap
py in having contributed to the alienation
ofhuman suffering.
Not long subsequent, Ferris called one
evening at the house of Mr.. Howell, and
turtunately found Anne and her father
alone, the former engaged upon piece of
embroidery of new pattern; and the lat
ter pouring over a volume of ancient phil
osophy. On his entrance the old gentle
man took no further apparent notice of
him that slight inclination of the head and
good evening sir He took a chair by
Anne's side, and told her ofhis love in low
but ardent tones, begging permission to
speak to her father on the subject.
'Oh he will not hear a word of the mat
ter, know said the sorrowing girl.
mo longer ago than yesterday, he spoke to
me relative to connection with M. Reed,
| can never love but one man, said the
beauty, giving him her hand.
Ferris could bear this suspense no lon
ger, In fact, the hint relative to her all-
ance to another, spurred him TO action, -
He proceeded to that part of the room
where Mr.. Howell sat and after few in
troductory remarks, said:
You have doubtless observed, sir, my
intimacy in your family for more than q
year past. From the fact that you did not
object TO my attentions to your daughter,
have been led to hope that it might not be
altogether against your wishes. May
ask, sir, with due respect, your opinion in
this matter ,
Il have often seen you here replied
Howell, and have no reason to object to
your visits, sir.
Indeed sir, you are very kind. have
neither fortune nor rank to offer your
daughter but still emboIdened by love, I
ask YOU for her hand