Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-11-20
AN INCIDENT IN REAL LIFE.
The Postage Stamp.

piness, and even existence Of individu.
ais often depend! Some years ago there
lived, in q small interior town in Ohio,
a young woman, then but fifteen years
Of age. She was the heress Of a large
fortune held by trustees. The will Of
her fathel richly enjoined upon her,
that she W wSS hot 10 marry until after she
had terminated her twenty. first year,
He had enforced this injunction by
strong and earnest appeals TO her 6 slfec.
lion, and by reminding her Of the un.
timely deaths Of two older sisters, who
had married young, and had died child.
less shortly after. But with almost pro.
phelic judgment other future lot, he had
added a still stronger nducement, TO
obtain her compliance with his request.
He had stipulated that, in case Of her
death or marriage before attaining the
prescribed age, the trustees should, by
deed convey all his estate to some dis.
tant relatives. The young and hand.
some girl soon found herself the attrac.
tive object ofthc attentions, the devo.
tons and the importunitics Of score Of
young Of the neishborhood. She was
aware Of the provisions Of her fathers
will, and honestly intended TO comply
with his so fervently expressed wish; but
soon--too soon, indeed--was that in.
junction to appear harsh, unkind, unfor.
iunate, unreasonable,
Three years after her fathers death,
she then being eighteen years of age, she
became acquainted, at festival party,
with an individual, upon whose honor,
faith and manliness her destiny from
tha, hour was to depend. He knew her
as fair, accomplished girl, and as an
heiress OF half million. He was but
visitor at that town. He remained there
but few weeks, but during that time
succeeded too we'll in leaving highly
favorable impression Of his worth upon
the heart Of the young lady. He return.
ed in one month, announcing his inten.
ton to reside in that village. The van.
ity, not criminal, but natural vanity of
the woman was gratifed; she recognized
in this voluntary abandonment Of his
former home and friends, 10 take up his
residence there, a tribute from his heart
to her own personal and mental attrac.
tions. He failed not in soon confirming
that belief, and in proteslation of deep
affection and urging the inevitable life ol
wretchedness he would endure in case Of
her rejection as we'll as BY the display Of
all the outward accomplishments and
bearing Of gentleman, he won her love,
and obtained from her promise Of mar.
riage. These proceedings had been Sc.
cret, and were entirely unknown to her
guardian with whom she resided. The
betrothment was soon followed by an ur-
gent request for speedy marriage. In
her hours of blissful communion with
her lover, she had almost forgotten her
fathers command. 1t now came upon
her with sudden and bitter force. She
answered the proposal Of marriage by
stating that her fathers dying command
was that she should not marry ill TWEEN.
ty.one. This he met by rdiculing the
fears and superstition Of too anxious
parent. and holding out TO herthe alter.
native of, obeying an unreasonable re.
quest Of a deceased parent, made when
she was child, ard when her capacity
for forming q proper alliance could not
be determined, or the distress. ruin, mad.
ness Of a true and honest heart which
could not sxiatif separated from her.
Her next objection met with more SO.
rious consid Grafton. She told him that
she could not obtain her property till
she was Of full ago. Though this wa'
unexpected, and did not al all agree
with the hopes and aims ofthe willy sui
tor, he was too wellskilled in deception
to betray his disappointment. He
therefore, promptly Interrupted, her in
her explanation Of the conditions Of hel
fathers will. BY the most solemn assn.
1 RANGES that with him her fortune bad no,
4 a lealher's weight; that be loved her, and
that love would be % pure, and ..
strong and as devoted had ihe been rear
/ ed in poverty, instead Of In the expec
/ fancy Of wealth. Again and again shs
sousht 10 explain 10 him that with hsl
mafrisge before the period fixed BY he'
father she would sacrifice all her sxpoc