Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-01

better able to enter into it with a proper spirit and
more readily perceive all its bearings. If you have
closely observed my letters Of late, you will have
perceived that Harry Talbot's name has figured
rather extensively gm5 perhaps from what / have
written, you have OWNED long before this, that of
all the acquaintance and friends / have made, he
only had gained access to that niche in the hearts
inner sanctuary sacred to love alone. He has visited
me almost from my first entrance upon life's stage
as a young lady; but it was long even after the
oea" monde had set hia down as a positive lover,
before gave to his quiet, unobtrusive visits and
attentions any other character than that which
friendly social feeling inspired. Still I valued him
very mucn as such an acquaintance, and perhaps
In that very freedom of intercourse which naturally
a1tended an ignorance of a sentiment beyond that
OF friendship, grew up a deeper knowledge and
more thorough appreciation of his character than
could have had its origin under different circum-
stances.
All this time, my father seemed to be Harry's
fast friend treating him in the kindest manner
ana laughing as heartily as any when a jest was
perpetrated at our expense. of late I am sure he
has seen and known that there was nothing but his
consent wanting for the ratification of our engage
ment; still he never uttered a word of disapproval
10 me and continued as cordial in his manner to-
ward Harry as ever. You may judge then, how
much we were surprised, dear Ally, when Harry
asked his consent to our union, he returned a posi-
ttve denial! He alleged no objection to the gentle
man whatever, and indeed gave no intimation of
the motives which influenced him, but simply gave
AAm " uAdcTStdnu tnab Dis consent was not TO De
obtained. Harry endeavored to ascertain whether
time might modify his views; but my father only
returned the old answer-Y You can't have her, sirp
Nor could any thing more satisfactory be obtained.
For several days / expected him to give me his
reasons privately, bakas y remained scrupulously
SILENT I at last VI Rygelf to ask If I might
know what 1T was mat directed the course he was
pursuing toward Mr.. Talbot and myself?
1t is unnecessary to detail all that passed between
US, but he continued in perfect good humor, though
i am afraid was rather haStv eounafimaS . mada
no unkind remark whatever of Harry, but continued
to persist in his objection to our marriage. Now,
Ally, what is to be done? If he would assert, or
even insinuate, any thing against Harry, perhaps
we might be able to remove the objection, or at
least | conld still credit his extreme affection and
value the care that looked so closely to his child's
happiness. But this is being treated too much like
a child, a little simple child whom we would not
hesitate to snatch from danger without explaining
why we had done 80 ; and it is so entirely different
from the usual course he has pursued toward me
that l am perfectlyat q loss how to account for it
You know | am old enough to have been treated
quito differently, dear Ally and an educated
daughter certainly has claims upon her parent, one
of the most imperative of which is, the right to b.
regarded as a rational being, reasoned with ant
convinced, as well as allowed the liberty to ex
press whatever sentiments she may entertain.
Again 1 ask-wbat is to be done ? or, to writ
more plainly, under such circumstances is not~al
%elopement actually .ustihable! l reprobate tn
course as much as any one, and dare say you ar
shocked that such a sentiment should proceed iron
your friend for such was certainly my own feeling
when the thought was first introduced to me.
love my father very dearly he has ever been kin
andindulgent to me but upon this point where IN
lifetime happiness is at stake, cannot yield to pre-
JUDGES which he must think too trivial to b
breathed in my ear. HarryS income, though limited
is still sufficient for our economical support, an
r you know very well, Ally, l am not a girl to shrin
from the privations l have voluntarily incurred.
have said nothing Of the bright beanings of lov
which gradually dawned upon my soul of tt
heart that learned to thrill joyfully athis approach
, and those feelings which almost imperceptibly toe
( color from his until they became irretrievably idel
tilted with his own. l have purposely omitted
state how that / can imagine no life of future ha
: piness and improvement in its highest and fulle
extent, where he is away from my side; or no
dreary and cherries it seems, unenlivened by h
8 smile, unsupported by his arm, and unsustained
n that strong manly principle and moral consistent
3 which pervades his character; because l wish y
to see how calmly I am considering tho question
though you know my affections are neither light
won nor idly given. I repeat then, that in IL
l. case l cannot perceive that moral improperly
'r tending an elopement which under different circu
stances none would be more ready to perceive a
acknowledge than myself. My father has kno'
Harry from a boy, for. he has grown up in our We
= midst, and 1 can con i've no excuse sufficient
= jnstefy his e~-1se bkwa md still Tess TOW:
a daughter should b sfhce my return from sehc
ne l shall await your answer impatiently, dear A
IA and in your advocacy for right principle and o
Of dience, do not forget that I have also claims VIII
a my father has NJ right to set aside. My love
-" your mother and family, and believe me, howe
p~erplexed l may be, still your own true sine
friend, MARY Anton
Sc TO BE CONTINUED.