The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-09-28

ldehess. placed most decided negative upon
this; reminding him Of the deep obligation lie
had just expressed himself under to me, and de-
manding, as some small return, that his time, for
next month, should be devoted to my especial a.
musement We would shoot or fish; would e.
ven consent to a few lessons in trapping foles, 10
keep him in humor but would have no book as
a rival lie expressed himself delighted with the
arrangement although fancied he grsdged lit
tie the embargo on his books.
happier month certainly never spent. Our
days were devoted to excursions among the hills
or water parties on the lake, usually accompanied
10y Eugella and Hortense Stafford daughters Of
our hust, and my little fayorite, Ida Shepton
grown to a charming girl, but still the pet and
plaything Of her BROTHER who had taught her all
he learned himself She was wild and frolicsome
as IA fawn, amusing and keeping us all in fine hs-
NOR with her merry prsnks. Our evenings we've
usually spent at Mr. Saifords, in cheerful converse
enlivened by music, and occasionally dancing
But the sweetest cup ever quaifed by human lips
contained bitter dreg which must mingle with
the draught l soon perceived, with extreme re-
gret, that Eugenia Stafford and not my own agree
able society was the magnet Of attraction to Har-
mon Shepton. Aud she was indeed a facinating
creature; superbly beautiful; her beauty was Of
that spirited order so attractive to many men, but
|
~ excite admiration than awaken love. Richly
endowed by nature, no pains or expense had been
| spared to cultivate her talents TO the utmost
| Perfectly feminine in character and department,
she had been reared in the unrestraned freedom
Of Southern life, having been the constant COM
panion Of her cousin julius in his usual sports.
AT first she had struck me as a little coquettish
and naughty the latter she certainly was, al
though soon discovered that it originated in am
biilon, rather than its usual source pride. With
her high-toned sentiments and lofty conceptions,
it was no wonder that Harmon Shepton soon low.
ed her almost to idolatry. But could he win herl
| Would her father ever COpsenti On this head
was perfectly easy. Dir. Stafford was one of those
rare characters whom accumulation OF wealth had
J failed to render mean or sordd A more genial
| spirit or kinder heart never inhabited form OF
clay. Romantic AS school gitl, and highly orig
nal in all hi. notions he was likely to I've attract
ed by the very features OF the case which would
be repulsive to a more worldly mind. Indeed
he had often spoken Of Harnons indomtabe en-
ergy and lofty qualities in terms Of admiration
and knew his poverty would be no objection IN
the eyes of the wealthy Southerner But would
the proud Eugenia listen to his suitl / feared
not. His devotion had been evident for some
time; had watched them narrowly; and atho
she had admired his talents and was tiattered BY
his homage saw no evidence of love; and in
deed did not wish she might ior high-souled as
Eugenia certainly was, aud much as respected
and admired her, l could not believe her calcula
ted to make my friend happy. blamed my fol,
ly in bringing Them together, and accused myself
Of having inflicted probable misery on poor Har.
mon.
But neither my regrets or fears were to be o.
long continuance. On the morning Of the day
preceding that on which he was to leave for Cam.
bridge, Harmon Shepton suddenly rushed into
my room to claim my congratulations. He was
the accepted lover Of Eugenia Stafford happier
: fellow ! never saw.
II never knew how much owed you, my dear
friend. until this moment said he. "Had re
manned the half savage you found me, | coulC
never have won the love of my priceless Euge
MIA
Although all my doubts Of the ultimate happi
ness Of the parties We're not removed, felt us i
II mountain were suddenly lifted from my shoul
ders, and gave him my sincere congratulations
He had scarcely left me, when second visitor
appeared. julius Stafford entered, exclainling
"She is an angel no power on earth shall wres
her from me- His extreme agitation made hin
at first unintelligible, but at length learned tha
the object Of his rawlings was Ida SheptOn. / hac
at one time expected this but noticing nothing Il
confirm my suspicious, dismissed them. l knew
indeed that Ida lad not joined our circle for
week, and that julius bad absented himself mos
of the time.
Perfectly certain that bis father would neve
consent Julius had tried by every means in hi
power to induce her to elope. Failing in that h
next offered to marry at once, and depend entire
ly upon his own eXertons for support. Bat tb,
noble-hearted girl, whose love he had won, stead
ily refused to do either and he had left her IL
despair, hut more deeply in love than ever.
Ida Shepton." exclaimed, "is a mere child
"But sixteen, I grant YOU" was the pettish re
ply, "and in that found my hopes; | will wal
for her as long AS Jacob did Tor Rachael, but rh'
shall be mine.
! knew his case was hopeless His father,
stern, hardhearted man, with a will Of iron;
slave of manmom rs unlike his brother our hos
rs possible--would never relent. In vain rea
soned, remonstrated; | only made him more des
perate; and at length gave it up having pcrfec
confidence in the frmness of Ida, and trusting Il
tmc and the rather volatile temperament Of my
friend To etlace this unfortunate attachment from
his mind