Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-03-07
THE AST Err. .
By MRS. HALE.
80, love will master all the power of art !"

80, love will master all the power of art
.sAnd so, Clara, you have rejected Mr.. Tin
eford-I own do regret it, said Mrs. Cros-
by to her neice.
| ssMy dear aunt would you wish me to mar
ry a widower, with as many children as fol-
lowed John Rogers to the stake? but whether
there were nine or ten has always been puz-
zIe TO me. Do you not think Mr.. Tineford
could solve that question: wish had asked
him, ,''said the young lady looking very demure.
ssMr. Tineford has but three children, as
you very we'll know,'' said Mrs. Crosby.
.sBut you know, also, my dear aunt, that my
imagination always expatiates in the ssRule of
Three''-that is, making three of one, which
just brings out the nine, without any remain
| der.''
| .sCome, Clara, pray leave this trifling; it
| does not become you, and Mr. Tineford is not
character which should excite ridicule, y
said Mrs. Crosby, gravely. .You acknowl-
edged yesterday, that you thought him excel
| lent, intelligent, and agreeable
81 do think him worthy of nearly every
good adjective in our language" said Clara
Dinsmore, earnestly. 81 esteem his charac-
ter as highly as you debut 1 could never,
never think of marrying him."
ssOh, Clara 20
ssSpare me, dear aunt, know all you would
urge in his favor, and know, too, many rea-
sons which your tenderness for my feelings
would spare me. I am twenty -nine-O, wo is
me, that | have arrived SO near the verge of
old maidsm! My beauty is gone-nay, don't
shake your head-Miss Jones says look pos
itiyely old, and that she is quite shocked,
(you know her benevolent affection for me) to
see such change"
ssI do not see it, my dear Clara, nor is ii so.
Your cheek is not as blooming as it was at
nineteen, but there is at times, more lovely
expression in your countenance, chastend
thoughfulness, which gives promise of that
tenderness and goodness which l know was al
ways inyour disposition, but which, in the years
of your brilliant youth, you did not display"
ssWho would blame me for being vain if
they knew my aunt fattered me thus2'' ex-
claimed Clara, tears of gratitude and pleasure
filling her eyes. s.But must not fiatter my
self that others see with your partial affection.
l know there is a change; my mirror, as we'll
as Miss Jones, reminds me of it; and the
young ladies, these who were in the nursery
when l came out, called me old.''
''It is great pity that girls are permitted
to come out so young" said Mr.. Crosby.
.'There is no use of preventatives, in my
case, dear aunt replied Clara, smiling with
her usual cheerfuness. 81 am twenty y-nine,
with little beauty, and no money at all. How
can | ever expect another offer?''
s:My dear child, it is none of these motives
which induce me to wish this marriage to take
place." said Mrs. Crosby, earnestly. wBut l
know that Mr.. Tineford loves you; and he es-
Inmates also your worth of character, or he
would not, in the maturity of his Judgment,
when he has reached such high eminence in
his profession, and acquired such distinguish
ed reputation, he would not thus renew the
homage he paid you ten years ago. L do not
see how you can have the heart to refuse him
second time"
ssSimply because 1 have no heart to give
him. said Clara, with sigh. and then gaily
added, ssyou know, aunt, that he has been
married, and appeared to love his wife most
tenderly-he doubtless loves his children, so
that between the regret he is bound to cherish
for the memory of the one, and the affection
he must bestow on the other, there can be lit
tie room in his heart for love towards me-
This second disappointment will not af1ict him;
so do not urge the match on his account
81 wish it on your own, dear Clara. Since
the loss of my property, by the failure Of the
bank, my whole concern has been for you. My
annuity will cease with my life, and l feel my
strength failing daily. Do not look so sorrow
full, my darling, 1 should welcome the change,
with JOY, were your welfare secured. And to
Mr.. Tineford / would entrust your earthly
destiny with perfect confidence
81 wonder if there ever was a good mother
in-law.' said Clara, striving to turn the con-
versation from her aunt's i'll health which she
never could bear to hear named, although she
felt that there was hardly any hope that she
could be saved.
''You would make good one, Clara; know
your heart is over flowing with affections and
tender sympathies: You would love those little
children dearly-their mother was your inti-
mate friend, and if their father was your hus-
band, studying your happiness and securingto
you every rational source of enjoyment, you
could not refrain from loving his children, or
rather you would feel that they were yours.
cannot bear to think you viii finally refuse him,
and be felt to struggle alone with the hardships,