Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-05-30
Gbe DaiIp 9pp.
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
Ellen LaWton:
A TRUE TALE OF LIFE.

Ellen LaWton:
A TALE OF LIFE
In one ofthe New England States, the little church
bell in Chester village rung merriy in the clear morn
ing ar OF bright summers day. 1t was to call
The people together, and they all obeyed its sum-
mons-for who among the aged, middle aged or
the young did not wish to witness the marriage GER
emonIes OF their favorte-Elen Lawton Ere the
tolling of the bell had ceased the grev-haired man
was leaning on the fnger-worn ball Of his staff in
corner of his antquated pew; the robust farmer
came next, followed by his rosy checked boys and
girls, while the dlgnied matron brought up the rear
The church soon became quiet, and then all ewes
were turned towards the door. Presently a tall
form entered-that of handsome man, apparently
about thirty years of age, on whose arm was lean
ing, in sweet and child-like trust, the young and
loved Ellen Lawton, who looked more beautiful in
her angel loneliness than before, even to the
eyes OF the villagers, to whom she ever was thing
OF beauty and a JOY forever If thus she looked
to familiar eyes, how transcendentaly beautiful
must she have appeared to him, who tits hour was
| TO make her his own chosen brde-he wife of his
| heart They stood before the altar; he cast his
dark eye upon her, she raised hers beaming in their
blue depths, full of love and tendeiness and, as
they met his, the orange blossoms trembed slightly
III her auburn resses and the rose that deepened on
her cheek. The voice ofthe man of God was heard;
and soon Frederick Gorton had promised to love,
cherish, and protect, and Ellen Lawton was pledged
to love, honor, and obey
As 1t ever Is, so 1t there, an interesting occa-
sion-one that might well cause the eye to I'll with
tears, the heart to hope fearuy but earnestly that
that young gnPs dreams may not too soon fades that
IN him to whom she has given her heart, she NAV
ever find firm friend, ready counsellor, a kind
and iorbearng spirit, sympathisng interest in all
her thoughts and emotions. On this occasion, many
cTitlclsng gances were thrown upon the handsome
18Th nd maj
fear said deacon's lady, that he is too
proud and set-willed for our gentle Elen' and she
took Oft her specacles, if she supposed they were
as weared of the long scrutiny as her own eyes.
Is there any truth in the good lady's suspicion
Look at Frederick Gorton, he stands there in his
sateness, towering above his BRIDE like the oak of
the forest above the flower at his foot His eve is
very dark and very piercing but how full of tender
ness as ne casts II upon Eilens upturned face His
brow lofty, and pale, and stern but partially COW
cred with long dark hair, with which Iady's finger
bad never toyed. His cheeks were as if chiselIed
from marble, SO perfect had the hand of nature
5a asgaaA @od than Sage BEEN
reminded Of Shakspeare's couplet-
30 what deal of scorn looks beautiful
| In the contempt and anger of his lip
there was about it that compression, so Indicative
of firmness which, while it commands respect, as
often wins love.
perfect contrast to him was the fairy thing at
his side; gentle as the floating breeze of evening,
trusting, as true-hearted woman ever is lovely
amlable, and beautiful she was Just one to win a
strong mans love; for there is something grateful to
proud man in having delicate, GENTLE coniding
girl place all her love and trust in him. and making
all her happiness derivable from his will and wish
Heavens blessing rest upon him who fulfls faith
fully that trust reposed in him; but be unto him
who remembers not his vows TO love and to cherish!
lhe marriage service over, the friends of Ellen
pressed eagerly around her, offering many wishes for
her long life and happiness. The grey haired man,
and an aged mother in Israeli laid their hands on the
young BRIDES fair head and lervently prayed that
God would bless her, and not few there were who
gave lances upward to Frederick Gorton and i'm
pressively said
Love, as we have loved, the treasure God trans
fers to thee =
The widowed mother of Ellen gazed upon the
scene with mingled emotions Ellen was her eldest
child, and had been her pride, her JOY and delight,
since the death of her husband many years before.
She was giving her to a stranger whose reputation
as Of talent, of worth, and honorable posi-
ton in the world, was unquestioned; but of whose
private character she had no means of acquiring
knowledge Yet all might be welI and she could
only hope, and trust in her Heavenly Father
For the two previous years, Ellen had been to a
boarding school in eghboring State, on the ami
versary days of which she had taken an active part
in the examination. frederic Gorton, who was one
of the board, was much pleased with her that he
made minute inquiries in regard to her character,
which were answered In manner entirely satlsac-
tory, for Ellen had been general favorte at school,
well as In her own village. Afterwards he called
upon her frequently, and on her final return home,
Frederick Gorton, who had ever been so confident
in his eternal old bachelorship, accompanied her,
and sought her from her mother as his BRIDE
Seldom does SO gifted seek favor Of lady in
vain; and Ellen Lawton, hitherto unsought and un-
won, yielded up in silent worship her whole heart,
that had Involuntary bowed itself in his presence,
and became child in reverence.
But Frederic Gorton had lived nearly thirty five
years of his life among men. His mother had died
in his infancy, his father after, and he, an only
child had been educated under the direction of an
old bachelor uncle. The influence of woman had
never been exerted on his heart. In his boyhood he
had lormed--from reading works of ficton-an idea
ofwomen as perfection in all things but as he grew
in years and in wisdom, and learned the falsity of
many youthful IDEAS and dreams, he discarded thag
which he had entertained of woman, and, knowing
nothing of her but by her vanity and love of pleas
ure he cherished for her not much respect and re-
garded her as an INFERIOR to whom, he thought in bis
pride, he at least would never level himself by
rage. He smiled scornfnlly on learning his APP
pointment as trustee ofthe female school, and boast
| ed to his friends that any array Of female beauty
would fail to captivate his affections.
| But we will return to that bright morning when
Ellen Lawton had returned from the village church
| to her childhood home as Ellen Gorton, was oleave
| il for new home After entering the paror, Mr..
/ Gorton said:
Now Ellen, we will be ready to start in as few
moments as possible
(7S Be ooniiRsed.l M