Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-02-15

things were more despicable in his eyes, thar
the desire of making a show, or having certain
things merely because others did.
'Am not right, daughter2' said he very
gently. you would not like to have folks
wonder why Ellen Lees father did not make
her as costly present as Mr.. Grey did his
You would not like to show your young beaux
on New Years day, less expensive present
than hers
DO not 90 on, father, pray dot; see am
very foolish-almost wicked; but am so Young
Young thought you were old Just now
Ellen. But we have moralizcd long enough
here ; Pll warrant the tea is stone cold. word
in your ear for see mother is watching US very
closely, to see how our talk terminates not
suspect without some selfish thought lie bent
forward his head, and whispered something to
her; when he again continued, audbly, and
now, daughter, for a kiss and our tea
! "A dozen, dozen kisses tather! cried The
! young creature in tone Of csacY, half smoih.
oring him with passionate embraces forgetting
all the significant reprools she had Just receiv.
ed, in the excitement bogotten by the hope of
soon gratified wishes
on am so happy now, so very happy ) and
she sank upon sofa, buried her head in its
, cushions, and dreamed away the evening hours
in golden iancies, seemng-evcn her father
said Soto be imbued with the very spirit OF
happiness.
The illusion lasted till she had sought her
chamber, and laid her head upon her pillow
But as her heart prepared to commune with
holy things, she realized that it was excitement
not heppiness, which thrilled her. She could
not conceal from herself the truth that she had
desired the watch and chain, not half so much
as gift 10 be treasured in after years as com
ing from fathers hand, as to crafty feeling
of vanty and she felt the surmise was too
true. that the pain disappointment would arise
chiefly from the modification of being outdone
by a companion. She began TO wonder, too,
what her father would have given her for a
present if she had not teased him for this one,
acknowledging it would have been much better
to have received free-wl offering, than what
she feared he would no give against his udg-
ment. lie was always generous to his family
never gave them "A mean present; and he had
even said to her that he had appropriated over
a hundred dollars for their New Year gifts. But
now.-why how much these holidays will cos,
him. she said and began to calculate: but
ceased when she had added the price of the
watch and pitcher, aud unused again, But
then he's rich enough murmurod she after II
while and, sitting her conscienoe, closed her
eyes and tried to slumber. But the words OF
her hlher,I ,cas thinking of The poor,' would
recur to her mind. She knew him to be very
charitable; and she knew, also, that f he were
rich, his position brought with it many and
heavy expenses. Besides, there was limit to
his wealth, for he was very far from being a
millionaire Perhaps if he made has family
such expensive New Year gifts, MANY poor
families would suffer, who otherwise would have
received aid from his purse.
She had kind, noble heart, and though van
ity might reign in it for time, with calm tho't
its crown would ever tremble. 1t was long
ere she slept that night and when at length
she did, gold watches, and ragged children,
brilliant chains and pale-iaced men and women
were blended in strange confusion.
(TJ b. ContinuedJ