Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-06-02

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: David Wentworth had the kindest O
hearts. There was neither mote mol
bound to his benevolence, except inabil
ity. And happy was any man who had
1.-THE of the prayers that were daily
sent up for the welfare of my friend, by
the wretched and unfortunate whom his
hand had relieved.
l speak of prayers, for it was the only
reward he sought, and of course the only
reward he received; l mean here-but
forgot.
David was paying his attention to an
excellent young lady of his own city
She was wealthy, beautiful and accom-
plished, and consequently, had many
suitors. Among them were richer and
nobler lin extraction, l mean and hand
somer men than David; en- importe, there
was kind of straight-forwardness about
my friend that could carry him some
where near the heart of his discerned
mistress, even if an emperor had been
his rival.
The young lady hit upon project to
put the characters of her lovers to the
test. She had come across poor wild
ow in distress, in one of her excursions,
and the idea struck her that it would be
good opportunity to ascertain the stuff
! that her lovers hearts were made Of
Letters were forthwith indited, setting
forth the woman's state, and forwarded
to the different gentlemen, in the name
of the widow, and requesting assist
ance.
The first was lecture on idleness, be-
ginning and concluding with the infor-
nation that the writer was not accus-
toned to give to those he did not know
This was from $4,000 a year! The
second advised her to apply to some of
the benevolent societies, whose business
it was to relieve those who were truly in
want. This was from one who had ta-
ken leading part in several charitable
associations, and whose pharisaical liber-
ality had been blazoned in the Gazette.
The lady thought that interested as he
was in those institutions, he displayed a
commendable reluctance about taking
business out of their hands. A third,
from a good-hearted and generous kind
of fellow, enclosed her a five dollar
bill, with his compliments. Several
took no notice of the good woman's Pc
tition.
But there was another answer which
the lady read with far different feelings.
1t was from David-from $500 a year
and 1 need not say, like himself, kind
and consoling-spoke of the writer's
narrow means, and also of the principle
he had adopted, of never giving unless
persuaded by the worthiness of the OBJ
ject, and concluded by requesting an in
terview. "If," said he, al find myself
unable to afford the assistance required,
l may be of service in interesting others
in your behalf"
Nor was this mere profession; for it
was but week before the widow found
herself comfortably located, and en-
gagged in thriving little business, and
carried on by the aid of his friends
And all this was carried on in genuine
Scripture style;-there was no sounding
of trumpets; and the right hand knew
not of the doings of the left. But his
lady love was a silent observer of his
conduct, and he received many kind
glance from this quarter of which he lit
tie suspected the cause. She began to
think the homage of spirit like his was
not to be despised, and she felt some
thing like the palpitation of the heart, as
she questioned herself respecting his in
tentions.
Such was the train of thought, which,
one evening, as is often the case, was in
terrupted by call from the very person
who had been its cause. Hour after
hour passed by that night, and still Da-
vid fingered. He could not tear him
self away. She is most fascinating
creature, thought he, and as good as she
is beautiful. Can she ever be mine?-
And cloud came over his fine features,
and he sat for a moment in silence
"This suspense must be ended" said he
to himself as the clock struck eleven.
"You will certainly think me insuffer-
ably tedious" said he, with faint
smile, ''but l have been so pleasantly
engaged as to take no note of time
And the sin of trespass upon the rules
of good breeding must lie at your door.
Besides, have heightened the visit, he
continued after pause, ''under the ap-
prehension that, as it has been the hap
piest, it might also be the last it shall be
my good fortune to enjoy with Miss H."
The lady looked at him with some
surprise.
may" said he, ''the matter rests
with Yourself. Will you forgive my
presumption? I know that others more
worthy of you, at least nobler and veal
thier, and higher in the worlds esteem,
are striving for the honor of your hand.
And yet 1 cannot restrain myself from
making an avowal, which, though it
may be futile, is yet but a deserved trib-
ute to your worth" And he popped the
question.
The lady did not swoon or turn pale.
But flush of qualification passed over
her face, and lighted her eye for mo-
ment.
She frankly gave him her hand, and
looked up archly in his face-"the friend
of the fatherless and the widow" !" said