Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1856-11-06

1 nc HeAI udY tHeFe CANT TWO ClcHdnI-
" bound books for my sister. Miss
Nelly, from her friend Edward, was writ
ten in beautiful hand on the hy-leaf Of
the cover.
But mothor looked very grave when She
saw these, and that afternoon she and
Nelly had long private conversation
| only overheard these words, Remem-
her, my child that the proud father would
never consent to his marrying the daugh-
ter of poor and humble parents. Educa-
ton and natural refinement of taste and
feeling would vainly plead in your favor.
Wealth and social elevation must be the
dowry of the woman who marries the son
Of Squire Preston" What a sensible
woman my mother was and so ladylike,
too! always thought Nelly's gentle,
graceful manner was her bequest. went
Into the room. after my mother had left
it, and found Nelly crying: one hand was
over her eyes, but | could see the tears
triekling fast through her fingers. The
books were wrapped in the white paper
which had enveloped them when they
were received. knew, ten, that she in
tended to return them, and | wished the
gentleman had given them to me; for, It's
certain | would not have given them back
if he had
| The next afternoon brought with it
/ Mr.. Preston. don't know what Nelly
said to him, but she came into the bed
broom where mother and | sat- looking
greatly agitated, and said, Z" Mother
have done as you wished, and returned.
| the books; but he will not receive them.
and he requests that you will favor him
with a private Interview" Mother rose
up, and walked into the little parlor and
Nelly paced up and down the bedroom
with two bright stains on her cheeks aud
when | spoke to her she did not hear un-
Ill had repeated my question twice and
then she started and stared at me- saying
vi, - Do Y tallS-tn--nAA-- pes,s
Mothers low voice foated 70 my ear,
and so did the gentleman s more distinct
| ly, for the parlor was not very far off;
and at last | heard him say in low, en-
phatic voice, replying TO some remark of
hers if wealth or social elevation
Mrs. Graham. were to be brought in com
parison with your peerless child She is
in herself jewel above all price. | care
not for her anteeedents. | desire no
dowry but her matchless self No false
ideas Of social rank or equality can innu-
ence mo in this matter. I our daughter
is all | solicit. Do not. my dear madam.
daflen my whole life by a refusal. .
There was a pause, and when my moth
er's reply came, it was spoken so low that
| could not catch tie words; but III a
short time sire returned te the hedr6ola
saying to Nelly. My child, yoa have iny
consent to answer As you like the ques-
ton he viii ask you On your return. y
How solemnly mother spoke.
And faiher2" asksd Nelly, eagerly
though she blushed very red.
will talk the matter over with him
this evening" replied my mother. smiling
quietly.
Nelly knew it was settled then. Faith
er generally thought as mother did,
Goodness alive! What do / hear T!
Is the boy mad Going to marry John
Grahams daughter. Why, her father
couldn't raise Hundred pounds if it was
to save his life p and, the extreme horror
which the bare contemplation Of SO mon
strous tact elected, old Squire Preston
sprang from his easy chair, utterly obli9-
ious Of govt, rheumatism and a formida-
Die array oil other ailments which found
a permanent location in his corpulent
SELF, and commenced pacing his wife's
apartment.
know it, John" reiterated Mrs.
Preston; and the news has really over
come me. | doubt whether my nerves
will ever recover from the shock they
have this morning received and the lady
leaned back on the lounge with an air
and sigh expressive Of such complete
physical and mental prostration, that
it was really quite affecting to behold
1 her
Well, well, wifel" CALCULATED the
Squire, who. it must be confessed, did
not seem so deeply impressed by his wife,
melancholy situation as the circumstan.
ces seemed to require: 1.-THE fact is. it
wont do to be talking nerves now. The
boys OF age, and lie can act as he likes;
and all | can do or say won't make this
conioundod matter whit better. / can
cut him off with a shilling, but" here
the Sqnire's voice was not so emphatical-
ly belligerent, you know he's all we've
got, Aurelia, and it would be a tough
thing to do that. But we must eiream-
vent him some way. By fair means or
foul, we must prevent his marrying that
girl. Ugh! it horrifes me to think of
It'll"
Yes, we must prevent it." said the la
dy on the lounge, with more animation
than her recent exhaustion would have
seemed to warrant. It would certainly
prove the death Of me to he brought into
Intimate contact with such people. What
a shocking plebian taste Edward must
possess ! for he can have his choice
among the wealthiest Of the land; and
iJnst returned from college, TOO, where his