Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1850-12-06
MISCELLANY.
LOVE AND GENEROSITY.

l. In the neighborhood of Charlton there is
o small and fertile manor, which was pur-
chased, at the close of the last century, BY a
young gentleman of large fortune, whom we
shall call Mr. Warner
Mr. Warner had seen so much Of the
world that he was by no means inclined
TO follow the general pursuits of men. The
scenes Of dissipation which Oxford exhibited
had driven him thence with kind of dis
gust, and he sought retreat IN the country
where he might live contentei with himself
and in harmony with those around him.
One afternoon, during the first haryestNof
his being therea he observed a girl, about
eighteen years Of age, coming in at the gate
of the field with small basket in her hand
He went to meet her, fancying her business
was with him, and as he drew near her he
was astonished with her beauty and modesty.
She blushed and curtesied, and When he
asked where she was going to, she told him
to her father, who was in the field, and to
whom she was carrying some refreshment--
Many questions followed, in ansNer-to which
Mr. Warner learnt that her father, whose
name was Jones had once possessed lands
amounting to 200t a year, but that losses,
misfortunes, and other accidents, had fallen
heavily upon him, and obliged him to sentta
little cottage on Mr. Warmers manor
On returning home the thoughts of Mr.
Warner were engrossed with the fair Mary
Jones From his housekeeper Mrs Groves,
he learnt that she had been educated at a
fine boarding school and that, during her
fathers prosperity, many young farmers and
other gentlemen had paid their addresses to
her; but that, on change of his condition,
some of them forsook her which she met
with the utmost fortitude
This was sufficient for Mr. Warner. It
make preposas q Bsr fatkero IL Els fhsef
view with him, he said L
II have sent for you, Mr. Jones, to ask
your opinion in an affair Of some impor-
tance-n
ANY thing that ] can do, sir why to be
sure"
Nay ask it of you-not as scrraat
but as d TREND You have daughter, Mr..
Jones 2p I
I" / have, sir"
That daughter l yesterday conversed
with, and Iconfess to you she made a very
strong impression upon ue. | am not used
to ceremony aud shall therefore tell you
plainly that have no motives but the graft
. cation of an honorable affection; and ify0nr
daughter can think me worthy Of being her
husband, / shall think myself made happy
by her acceptance Of me
Sir, forgive ne-shc is poor and unwor-
thy your attention. you cannot mean 1t, SIR
Indeed you cannot y
., | know she has not RICHES to recommend
her. but she has virtues that would add a
grace to nobility"
The good man shed tear of thankfulncss
but it was followed By another of concern,
IL | am afraid, lie said, to tell you, of her
situation, bat know she never will beyours
But I will send her in to you, and you viii
perhaps learn itfrom herself 2
He then went into another room, and soon
after Mary came :out, pale, trembling, and
detected Mr. Warner endearored to re
move her fears, BY telling her he came Z
ask nothing but what she might reasonably
answer He then repeated his offer Mary
heard him with attention, and then made
this reply
:" As have no doubt, sir, of the sincerit!
of your declarations, am not able to accep
them; and if tue opinion of the nelghbor
hood be true, that your humanity is equal I
1 your station-you will lot be offended Will
I me if explain to you my present situation
| When my parents were In prosperity, Their
| were many young men of the neighborhoo'
and some were superior to me 10 llfe-wh
were pleased to Aatter me for what the.
termed my beauty, and to declare their afec
/ ton for me / had then no inclination t
leave my parents, and was too young to.en
ter the world. / therefore begged them I
desist from their proposals There was one
however, whose return I could almost hay
wished; yet | suffered him to go.n
Excuse my interruption said Mr.. War
n ner; may beg TO know his name +"
II at is young Berry, Sir, the son of-one c
your tenants He took me at my word an
came no more; andI endeayored to forge
him. About this time my fathers affair
took an unfayorable turn; be disposed [
his farm and retired to this cottage. Th
insincerity Of mems -protestations now b
came sufficiently evident to me, and learr
4 severe but an instructive lesson Sou
months passed in a state of uneasiness
1 when. one day, as was walking towards h
valley by the waterside, | met poor Berr.
whom / had NOT seen, but at a distanc
since l refused his addresses At FIRST !
would have avoided me, but, seeming to r
collect himself, he came to me- Some ind
ferent conversation passed, whenhe reuewe
. his former subject, and addressed me
terms which / believe | shall never forget
You must excuse me, Mary, said he,
T.now begin subject which you once 70
baae me to think Of. have told you. in Il
most serious and solemn manner, how muc
T esteem and love you and though "
have once rejected the Offering I would NAL
, YOU. cannot be happy without again Tepea
Inc il, The situation Of the affairs of 20
family has given me much anxiety an
Cod knows, had it been in my power,
would have eased you Of every burden. =
IN mot afavorite Of fortune and al I g