The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-04-02


concerned, do not believe that the world
has ever produced. Between Gen. Far
ley and myself there had never been any
great inImacv; in fact the marked dis.
similarity in our characters and disposi-
ton, would preclude anything of the sort.
Ills was a phlegmatic and dignifed re.
serve, that on no occasion would descend
tom its own freezing and exact standard.
Mrc, on the contrary, particularly in my
younger days, was nature buoyant and
speculative to fault; and even in latter
years, many has been the time, Edward,
that these youthful fancies and aspirations
have been revived through You.
awe were both living then in the same
county ip the State Of Vermont, and AS
natural consequence of the extreme friend.
ship OF our respective partners, were
thrown frequently in the company of each
other. Mrs. Farley had been for some
time IN extremely bad health, and the
fatal and peculiar symptoms of her maa-
dy, admonished her that she was drawing
near her latter end She aad an ONLY
child, daughter about three years old /;
you were then about five; and now
come to the point in which YOU are more
nearly interested. Mrs. Farley it was.
who first suggested to your mother the
idea of uniting YOU and her daughter, at
some future period; rs If TO transmit to
postcrity the remarkable affection they
felt for each other. ! cannot said she,
die contcnted until have n reasonable
hope that the wish Of my heart shall be
fulfilled Your mo.her, as | have said,
was scrupulous in regard to pledging the
hand where the affections might possibly
not follow nevertheless, she could no,
withstand the entreaties of her dying rela-
tive, and promised that she would endeav-
or to gain my consent to the proposal.
When the matter was frs. mentioned
to me, although struck with the oLd:,y
and romantic character Of the proposition
yet after considering all the possible con.
tingencics, could pcrcicve nothing that
would warrant me in Withholding my con.
sent. Gen. Farley then occupied IN af.
fluent and distinguished position, which
had no doubt would be fully sustained in
the future; and in that impression have
not been disappointed. | therefore gave
my consent, and promised that so far ms
| was concerned, the wish Of Mrs. Farley
should meet with no impcdiment She
had already Obtained the consent of her
husband, who ] believe was perfectly in
different about the matter. only so far MS
gratifying the wish Of his wife was concern
ed. For her hc cvinced love and dcvo
ton, that did not believe one Of his cold
and solid nature to be capable Of. Wc
therefore, each and al. Of us around the
bedside of the afflicted lady, promised our
mritcd efforts and co operation in bringing
about the event that She SO much desired.
\ few days after this Mrs. Farley expired,
and although | was, as thought, fully
prepared for the ntliiction and distress the
event would cause your mother; vet the
reality far exceeded my worst apprehcn.
sioms. Ter health Was seriously impaired {:
all my efforts could not avert the impepd-
ing fate, or arouse hcr from her meIanclo.
ly, aud she died in less than n year after
wards end n short time after giving birth
TO your sister Ellen. The idea Of uniting
you to lh:le annie, appeared to gain
sirengt!' after ;he death of Mrs. Farley,
and believe ~ her own death she as de.
voutly wished for il, as her friend had
done. She received my sacred pledge for
the observance of the contract.
".Cen. Bnrley. at the dea,I, Of his part.
ner, was absolutely uconsolabe-his hah.
linal sternncss unbent before the terrible
aiiiic,ion that assailed him-an aiilie'ion
that the long lapse Of years has never
been able to cface. The last token OF
regard that she exacted from him will
Il relisiously Observed. We have IRE.
quen,Iy correspopded in regard to the
matter, and the last letter that received
from him, stated that his part Of the con.
tract will be carried out whenever we are
ready 10 comply with ours,
Although, IS l. told you, at the time
this engagement was entered into, did
not build any great hopes upon it yet in
after years have been led TO reflect bat
II was the most fortunate circumstance
that coa;d have happened to you. You,
believe, have talent, that will require but
little energy and exertion on your part to
bring out; and the distinguished cbarac-
ter Of Gen. Farley--hs wealth and exlen-
sive influence, aided by my cooperation,
cannot but secure to you n success that the
most exalted ambition would be proud Of.
ip see You occupy a position, Edward,
above calunny aud rcproach--a position
that will excite the admiration Of all good
men, and secure 10 you and your posterj-
~ an enviable Immortality, is, / confess,
the ruling passion Of my heart.
As this announcement to you has
been sudden, viii not press YOU TO give
an answer at present; you may take a
day, week. or longer il you wish !. and
when you have reflected maturely upon
il, you can acquaint me with the result OF
sour deliberations. / viii leave you now,
Trusting in yonr good sense to decide
-snghi, not only for your own sake, but
for the sake Of those Who catered into
i.ilsis covenant for yen." s.4ks
fsssht ~ teeltS ~ aslNs a4