Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-05-12
DAILY EVENING STAR.
THE TWO MIRRORS;
Or, The Gilder's Apprentice G
BY FREDERICK HUNTER.

There lived in Lancaster, England, some
years ago, thrifty glider, who had an ap-
prentice under his guardianship-a bright
lad, who had received a very fair education
before he commenced to learn his trade, and
who had been very successful as mechan-
ic. He was handsome youth too, and,
after FIVE years service, he attained the
age of twenty years, and became quite
man, in many respects.
Edwin Wilson-for that was the appren-
tees name--had formed an acquaintance
with the only daughter of a retired mer-
chant, residing in the next street, and an
ardent and mutual attachment succeeded.
Mr.. Elwyn, the father of Ada, was man
of considerable wealth and though he had
come up to his present position, from the
original profession Of clerk in small hab-
erdasher's establishment, still he had high
notions of his own consequence and import
ance in society. Mr.. Elwyn was rich, and
felt that he had right to display his aris-
tocratic notions in his own way. And the
lordly merchant did not, therefore, favor
the advances of the humble apprentice.
The proud Mr.. Elwyn saw that his child's
hopes were wrapped up in the handsome
youth, who had at length so nearly reached
his majority he began to be uneasy as
to the future. He called his daughter aside,
at last, and said:
"My Ada, am not unmindful of the pre-
ference you have indulged for young Wilson
the apprentice of Lockwood. What have
you done-how are you committed to him %
"He loves me, father,'' responded the
sweet girl, "and with your blessing, he will
make me his wife, he says"
"Stop, then, Ada-where you are?"
"How, father!"
"He is but a poor mechanic"
"I know it"
"You are my only child"
eyes"
CT am rich"
"The world says so, father--but-''
"Hear me, Ada. The young man has
not fifty pounds in the world. Would you
wed beggar ?"
"No, father! would wed Edwin Will
son." replied his daughter, innocently.
"No, my daughter; he is beneath your
position, in every way; and I can consent
to no such sacrifice. 1 am decided-you
must think of him no more!''
This was crushing intelligence to the ten
der-hearted Ada, who had suspected such
an answer, when she resolved to appeal to
her father on this subject. But, though
Mr.. Elwyn was opposed to such an union, he
had but the one objection to his daughters
suitor. He could find no stain upon his
character, he could raise no opposition to
his claims, save that the youth was penni-
less. Still he was inexorable.
Having thus contrived to throw his daugh-
ter into the deepest mental distress, he went
over to his friend, the glider, and commen-
ced to chide him for permitting the youth
to have forced himself thus upon the affec-
tions Of his child.
He has nothing to support her WITH"
he said.
He has ON excellent trade, sir,' said
his master.
81 care nothing for that" replied the
irritated parent.
He is an accomplished workman
"He is nobody, sir! He has neither
friends nor family connexion, nor the more
important of considerations in these mat
ters, money. have no fancy for mechan-
ic, and shall not submit that my only daugh-
ter shall suffer by such an unequal alli-
ance"
edwin will be one and twenty at Christ
mas time, sir. I think he would make your
daughter good husband, and would care
we'll for her."
81 don't believe it! He shan:t marry
her-he shan't, at least till he is able to take
such care of her as her father has hitherto"
And with this tart answer, Mr.. Elwin de-
parted.