The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-11-10
From the Record Of the Times.
THE LOVERS BARGAIN:
or, Casper's COurtship.
BY ECHO, JR

know stands the homestead of Casper
G.. 1t never was characterized by
its stateliness and grandeur; but, on the
n contrary, by the simplicity of its appear
ance, and the generous and obliging dis
position of its inmates.
Casper, (who by the way will be the
; subject of my brief story,) was not, let
e run at large, as many children are, but
was early taught the impostance of know
ing how to work. To his parents was he
particularly indebted for many useful
LESSONS, who early impressed upon his
mind the genuine worth of habits of in
dustry, honesty and politeness.
But the sun of his life approaches near
its meridian height, and we find him en-
tering the sphere of manhood, enjoying
the blessings of friends, good reputa-
ton, good health, and fattering prospects.
And yet, Notwithstanding all these, he
was unhappy.
Unhappy, did say! Perhaps the
expression would not be justi6able; for
how could one be unhappy, when enjoy
ing the richest boon of heaven-the So
ciety of kind relatives, fond brothers,
loving sisters, and above all, clear con-
science.
These had always been to him, source
of pleasure, but now, there was another
thought that seemed to sway its potent
sceptre over all these, and continually
mar his wonted peace. He was happy
only when lost in the reveling of magma
ton, stroling through green fields, resting
beneath some shady bower, or taking an
evening ramble in the moonlight, whis-
pering into the ear of another, the ardor
of the blaze that was burning within
him.
Need I say he was in love! Yes,
wildly, deeply, devotedly. He had for a
short time, been residing in the vicinity
of Rockport, where he became acquain-
ted with Miss Sarah J. $, yet in
her teens, who was the ideal of beauty
and grace. Her external accomplish
ments were not her only excellencies;
within her bosom gloWed heart pure
as crystal stream, abounding in noble
and virtuous motives.
Casper, from their first meeting, was
smitten with her charms, yet vainly en-
deavored to suppress the fame of love he
felt kindling in his bosom, and despite
all his efforts to conceal his feelings when
in her society, he could but surrender
himself up, the victim of Cupid, and the
willing slave to all her wishes and de-
sires. And the attentions of so manly,
beautiful, and deserving youth as Cas-
per g., could not fail in produc-
ing favorable impression upon the heart
of the amiable young lady; and there
seemed to spring up mutual electro
magnetic union of minds, giving fire to
the eve, fervor and beauty to the check,
and an eloquence to the tongue, that at
fectation never knew.
With feelings inexpressibly elated by
his recent success, what was his astonish-
ment, and modification, when one even
ing. the cup of bliss was dashed from his
lips, by his fair ones positively refusing
his society.
Could he believe it possible! NO,
soliloquized he, show can she for whom
would even die, thus give a death blow
to all my happiness, blasting with single
stroke all my cherished hopes, all my an
ticipated felicities, and all that renders
life sweet? No, it cannot be.
Oh the utter misery of a soul, when
hopeless despair settles upon it; when the
young heart dreams are forever fed; and
the object of it would have clung to thro
life, is forever, forever gone! A biting
bitterness, a feeling indsecribable by
words, and only known when felt, con-
sumcs the existence.
With Casper, things continued in this
state for some time, when, one day, hear
ing that Miss s., had taken short
Journey, to visit an Uncle, he determined
to unfold to her by letter, the state of bis
mind, and demand her reasons for the
treatment he had recently received.
The worst can but be known said he
as be sealed the 6iNet-douT, and sent it on
its message.
A few days of suspense, and an answer
was received. With contracted brow,and
trembling had he opened it, but as bis
eager eve glanced over the page, ray
n of Joy darted across his features, bright
illumiuation played over his face, and his
bosom swelled with the emotion OF bis
= soul. She therein acknowledged that he
had been wronged, but the fault was not
her's-that it was in consequence of an
Injunction of her relatives, at the sacra'
= fee of her own feelings and will-that 1T
r had caused her much anxiety of mind
> to alleviate which, she had accepted the
invitation of her uncle, designing to re-
main in bis family short time--that not
withstanding what had occurred, her love
I rom aimed unaltered.
Hope sprung up anew in the heart o,
our Young champion, dispelling the cloud
of gloom and disappointment, that OBJ
scured the bright sky of his enjoyment.
But a few short weeks had passed
when Casper might again have been seer
attending the beautiful Miss s. =
II 4ho xyIai and