Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-08-30

Even they had gone so far as to appoint the
day when the happy event was to take place
seThe assurance ofloyers," :" says writer, ''they
always imagine that when they have avowed
their love to each other, the whole business is
completed. Parents are nonentities, settle
ments are Pigments. Whoever thinks of the
one or the other ~ 1t was precisely so in
their case.
One morning, as the two daughters were IN
their mothers dressing-room, she remarked
what a fashionable young gentleman was Fred
eric Pompadour, sSand besides, he is heir to
great estate, so it is reported. He appear
ed she continued, glancing at Arabella, ''to
be very much taken up with you, the other
evening"
A smile was the only reply, but the hint was
taken .:Au revoir, Monsieur Potts, ;" thought
Arabella.
Mr.. Potts was Tilted Poor Potts!
.sWhat vulgar people those dirty mechan-
les are,'' said Mrs. Bantem with contempt
uous toss of her head. ssThey ought not to
be admitted within the pale Of society"
That broadside was for poor Alice. The big
tears gIistened in her eyes. 'sThey are ma
ture's noblemen,'' she said, quietly leaving
the room. There was sorrow in store for her,
for her constancy to her lover.
That evening she was sitting alone in her
| chamber, gazing at the ieecy clouds floating
across the star-besprinkled heavens. Her
thoughts must have been sad ones, for the
pearly tear drops were trembling upon her
| lashes. A few days age she had peopled the
future with shadows of joy, and now dark
| cloud hung threateningly over her head.
| While thus communing with her thoughts,
| she was startled by the entrance of her father.
| Her heart throbbed violently, for she suspect
| ed his errand nor was she mistaken, for he
| stated the cause of his visit before he was
| barely seated.
s.Alice, are you engaged to Harry Edwards?"
he inquired.
| s.Father, am, - was the firm reply.
] ssIt is my desire you break off the engage
ment. l have found young gentleman who
| is not vulgar mechanic
s.Father, it is impossible L can love no one
but Harry She buried her face in her hand
| kerchief and sobbed as if her heart would
| break.
| s.Alice,'' said the hard-hearted father, after
| a moments pause, E'you have your choice.
| either discard your lover or leave my house. :"
Sob, sob, was the only reply. He waited
few moments and then impatiently inquired
| if she had made up her mind.
ssFather, have,' she answered with deS-
perate effort, sSmy love for Harry is too strong
! will leave your house"
every well; you can no longer consider my
house as your home,'' said he, through his
set teeth as he rose and left the room.
ssFather, father! hear me-" she implored,
rushing forward and seizing his arm. Gath
er. dear father, forgive me - she cried, en-
dea voring to fling her arms around his neck.
| He shook her off and abruptly closed the
door in her face.
With one sob, deep from her heart, she sank
upon q seat and gave way to her grief. For a
full hour the tears of grief welled up from her
hearts fount. Every JOY, hope and bright
dream of happiness had hed-rudely broken
by the stern spirit of her unloving, mercena-
ry father. The paroxysm of grief passed
| away-she arose and approached the window
the moon was obscured behind murky
cloud but the edges were bright.
ssAh,'' thought she, ''that cloud and my
life-how appropliate-but remember, every
cloud hath a silver lining, every sorrow hath a
JOY to soften it-Harry's love for me is the
| silver lining
That thought cheered her dropping spirits.
She eudeavOred to see her parents that even
| ing, but they refused interview with her.
That stroke of unkindness carried despair to
her gentle heart. She sought her chamber,
and with eyes full of tears and heart full OF
sorrow, laid her head upon the pillow and
sobbed away the midnight hours.
/ Exhausted with weeping she at last fell
asleep and dreamed, not dark and terrible
ones, as would be imagined, but bright and
happy ones-a good omen. Bright rays OF
sunlight were yet to gild her pathway through
life.
/ In the morning, after vain attempt to OBJ
tain reconciliation with her parents, she
sought amaiden aunt and cofessed her grief to
her. She pitied Alice, and though nowise
favored by fortune, she gladly gave her a
home.
Alice met Harry and informed him of the
event that had transpired
ssNoble hearted girl ~ was his exclama.
ton.
She communicated her intentions TO him Of
earning her own livelihood as seamstress.
'sDear Alice, you shall not harbor such
thought" said he. s'YoU toll for your daily
bread 7 No; we will be married at once-l
have laid by small sum, it is true, but enough
to meet our frugal expenses, and as for the fu
ture, it looks bright
: tsNo, no. it cannot be at present." she re