Butte record., 1856-12-13

OOtiN my P'OoSu' POI pcs, WOuiu MT.
Elton be willing to give his daughter IS
hand to one who had nothing to offer
IN return but the poor plttance of pro-
tesslonal ambiti and world of good
intentions Reason answered, No !
And yet, how could | for moment
release the jewel that had SO enchain-
ed me. "The spirit parting with the
SOUP could not offer half the measure
Of suffering that separation from the
idol of my heart would produce Hon
or and duty dictated the course which
prudence sanctioned; love and affec-
toned lured me on in the current
which the heart approved. [ decided
on the moment, to sink the latter con-
slderation, and resolved to acquaint
Mary, at our next meeting, with my
reflections, and beg to be forgotten.
But, alas for humgn weakness
When next we met, our hearts out
pourings were as deeply imbued with
love as they had been in our most
thoughtless days. When | said:
"Mary, l fear our positions in life
are too widely different to permit the
hope of a union"
She replied: positions different,
Henry What matters it how differ
ent our worldly positions my be, so
long as our hearts are united by con-
genial sympathy Oh, Henry, YOU
have known me to little purpore if you
have yet to | arm tn no worldly con-
siderat on can come between YOU and
my love -
"You misunderstood me, Mary; l
mean, your fathers intentions would
be an insuperable obstacle to our
uni ~"
Gear not, dear Henry. He will
low you because [ love you. lie will
but see in our union the mutual hap
p ness of his children, and gladly avail
himself of the opportunity to sanction
it. Although he has many eccentrici-
ties, he nevertheless possesses a warm
and noble heart"
''Let US, then, 60 to him at once,
Mary, declare our love, and ask his
blessing" said I, transported by the
enthu iIsm of my well beloved
We quickly threaded our way to Mr..
Elton's residence, and entered his
stately mansion. We found him seat
ed in his study, and was kindly, ii
not cordially, received by him.
Mr.. Elton was person of imposing
presence. Past the meridian of life,
with form unusually erect, he wore
an air approximating to aristocratic
stiffness His features, though prom>
nent aad indexible, appeared hand
some and intelligent. I said he re-
celved me kindly, but yet perhaps it
was the consciousness of the audaciiy
of my errand made me think SOL ina
gined | saw degree of severity in his
countenance when he babe me be seat.
ed that augured i'll for the success of
my interview.
l attempted several times to open
the subject to him, but my heart fal
tered, I lacked the neral courage
boldly to ask his daughters hand; and
had it no been for the adroit device Of
Mary, I fear [ would have quilted the
house without having broached the
subject.
''Father," said Mary, Mr.. Woods
by has business of Importance to CONS
municate to you, and as it is perhaps
not proper that should be party to
your conversation, I will withdraw. !"
This well-devised ruse completely
entrapped me. 1t would have been
cowardly on my part not to have en-
tered the lists boldly, since Mary had
thrown down the gauntlet. l had but
one course left to pursue, and l called
into requisition all my moral stamina
to nerve me for the task.
"Mr. Elton" said I, when Mary
had closed the door, "pardon the alb
ruptness with which approach a sub
ject which will perhaps meet as much
with your astonishment at my presump-
ton as it will excite your Indignation
at my temerity. Children of circum-
atances, our idols are frequently the
ruthors Of hope which can never be
sealized and our greatest comfort is
often in the enjoyment of what must
eventually prove visionary happiness.
By fatality over which I had no con-
troll. have become passioately, ire
voc obly attached TO your daughter l
need not say that my love is returned,
for it IS repaid four-fold Our beings
are inseparably, religiously blended,
and it needs but your parental sanction
to secure our happiness"
Mr. Elton at first seemed astonish-
ed, then alarmed, then stupiied, and at
last relaxed into cold, severe, and
patronizing demeanor. | expected to
see an Indignant burst of passion, and
| believe | should have preferred 1t to
the calm and marble expression Of his
countenance, as l closed my passion
ate rhapsody. After few moments ol
Ito me) embarrassing silence, Mr.. Ell
ton, in a cold, deliberate, and measlr-
ed tone, spoke. as follows:
"Mr. Woodsby, it is unnecessary to
mention that l am very much aston
ished at your abrupt proposition. The
welfare and happiness of my daughter
is a matter of very deep Importance tc
me. must say that | regret the af-
fection that has sprung up between