Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-05-09
nj | S G Il Ii A N Y.
FOR THE sTAUNToN SPECTATOR.
a MARRIAGE IN WESTERN VIRGINIA.
BY NJ o VIA NU S.


In the Spring of 1914, stranger suddenly made
his appearance III Bath County, calling himself by
the name OF Mason In our sparsoy settled noun
tain counties, the arrival of stranger in paricu-
lar neghborhood, produces great sensation, and is
nearly much the topic of conversation as If the
Duke of sumo foreign country wee announced
Who is this Mason2 Where is he from, ard what
is he atter were questions often asled but not an
Swered.
Mason was young man, probably about twenty
hve-tal In stature and very sraight and of as
fine proportions and perfect symmetry as have ever
seen. His eye was large and black his hair, a
glossy black, and being neglected, hung in uncomb-
ed locks about his neck, and covered forehead
which indicated no common degree of intellect
His general appearance was Indicative of sadness.
Indeed any one would have said, some sore trial
rested with mountain weight on his heart. Toali
this, he added reserved department, listening at
tentivey 10 the conversation of Others and but sell
dom taking any part himsef-rather stunning than
seeking company. lie wished TO be employed as
a day aborer, and with short intervals, for month
or more, lived in this capacity with several fami
lies. AS yet, no one could answer the question
where he came from. . At length he found his way
to the house of the kind hearted Col. A.. on whose
farm he was employed, and gave entire satisfaction
He continued however TO be reserved and rather re-
firing, if afraid his confidence might be BETRAYED
SNi- "A Was d ildi Vi just tIlc opposite teWpera-
ment, frank and without any disguise, and who
would be most ready TO sympathize with any man
In distress, and not only 10 express that sympathy
but act 1t out. On him therefore, the melancholy
appearance of Mason had lis full effect Where
there is a will there is way. The Col. sought to
relieve the burdered mind of the new member of
his family by drawing him into familiar converse
ton, and by his well known vein Of innocent pleas
antry. often had he the pleasure of seeing that
care-worn coun,enance lighted up with SMILE
Many sweet summers evening was thus spent
on the COPS. long porch. BY slow degrees the
mysterious stranger began To manifest unmisakabIe
signs of reposing confidence in the generous bosom
OF the Colonel
Who is 50 steeled against all the finer feelings of
man, as to be able to withstand the bewlching en-
chantment of evening twilight? Surely if there is
love in the heart Of man, it will shew itself at that
hour. Fit has been pent up and held in restraint
its pouring out is so much the freer. At such an
hour, in soft evening in July, did poor Mason
pour all the sorrows Of full soul into :he sympa-
thiZin4 bosom of Col. A. who became now his UNI
reserved confident.
''Who is Mason" He was the son Of wealthy
planter of that name near Petersburg, and nephew
OF the Hon. John Y. Mason. Ills father had 1iven
him by promise prlncey estate in the vicinity of
his own residence, which he had commenced i'm
proving on scale justified by his wealth. His
mansion house was nearly completed, when an ua-
expected blasting of all his happiness was brought
about in mournful hour. lie had long loved
the beautiful Mary, daughter of Col. W. near T..
He had addressed her and his affections were re-
ciprocaed. She was lovely in her person, and
highly refined by education. Her family crcum-
stances were in every respect equal TO his own
She was all his heart could desire, and her hand ,
all that was lacking To make him the happest Of
men. But alas, there was one barrier in the way,
xtltf hall l,,lI l..
Between his father and her father there existed an
old and deadly feud, and each had solemnly vowed
TO dlsnhert his child should they persist to consum-
mate the marriage. All their tears and PRAYERS
and fial appeals could make no impression on their
iron-heaTted parents. He could not think for one
moment, by acting against the will Of both their pa
rents, to drag her whom he so tenderly loved down
with himself to the vale OF poverty and wreched-
| ness. Under these feelings of disappointed hope,
his life had been so cmbttered at home that he had
determined TO abandon his fathers house and all his
wealth, and spend the remainder Of his life as a
day -aborer in Western Virginia
This mournful tale, in all its minutest circum-
stances was poured evening after evening into the
confding ear of Col. A., and as often did ne exert
himself to administer some consolation to his aTct
ed friend. Who would not feel for n fellow man
so nOby struggling 10 bear up under burden heavy
enough 10 crush the stoutest heart? Who would
not honor the man who, by one proud resolve had
forever dashed from himself the boon Of wealth and
ease, and doomed himself TO life Of toll and pen
ury rather than by lis acceptance, say TO the cher
ished Of lis heart he held it as treasure more
dear than her love2
Poor Mason was often pointed TO the star Of hone
by Col. a. There was one bright spot, and only
one. Mason knew that his uncle John had aImos
unbOunded influence over his stern father. Hi,
only hope therefore was TO enlist that influence ir
his BEHALF Nosooner was his request communicated
than his uncle, with all the ardour Of his nature es
poused his cause. Sometimes he seemed almost Il
prevail When suddenly the old man with rigid
muscles would rally all his embtiered hostility
cafcfully nursod for many long years, and with ,
voice that could not he mistaken, forbid all furthe
attempts to change his mind. lie was told IN tn,
most touching language Of his only son, lionel,
wanderer in the mountains, detected and sorrowfu
almost to death his face pllc and glooln dcpo,c.