Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-06-13

parents resided. In her childhood she
entwined herself around the heart of the
Judge and from that period he had look
ed on her as the future wife Of his SON.
His views and wishes, however, we're strict
ly confined to his own breast, until to his
dismay be found that his sons affections
we're entangled. This discovery was no
sooner mado than, he wrote a pressing let
ter to Julia, who was now an orphan, to
como and make him visit of few weeks.
The reason he. gave for inviting her was,
that his health was rapidly declining, which
was indeed too true, and he felt that her
society would be aIsolace to his heart, Julia
came; she saw Frederic; heard his enlight-
ened conversation; observed his polished
manners; remarked the lofty tone of his
feelings, and giving the rcins to her fancy,
without consulting reason or prudence, she
loved him, Too late for her security, but
too soon for her peace, she learned that he
loved another. Dreading lest she should
betray her folly to the object of her un-
sought affection, she wished Immediately
to return to her native place. But to this
Judge Westbury would not listen. He
soon discovered the state Of her feelings,
and it gave him unmingled satisfaction
1t augured well for the success Of his dear
est earthly hope, and as his strength was
rapidly declining, consumption having fas.
tened her deadly fangs upon him, to hasten
him to the grave, he gave his whole mind
to the accomplishment of his design. AT
fret his son listened to the subject with
disgustcd impatiencc-but his feelings
softened as he saw his father sinking to
the towb-and, in an unguarded hour, he
promised him that he would make Julia
his wife. Judge Westbury next excrtcd
himself to obtain promise from Julia That
she would accept the hand Of his son--and
he rested not until they had mutually
plightcd their faith at his bedside. To
| Frederic this was a moment Of unminglcd
misery. He saw that his father was dying,
and felt himself constrained to promise lis
hand to one woman, while lis heart was in
possession of another.
JGlia's emotions were Of the most con-
ficting character. 10 be the pligLted
bride of q man she loved, made her heart
throb with joy, and her faith in his father
assurance that she would win his affections
sustained her hope, that his prediction
would be verified. Yet when she marked
! the countcnance Of her future husband, hel
heart sank within her. She could not fiat
ter herself into the belief, that its unminglod
gloom arose solely from griefat the approach
ing death Of his father. She felt that hi
wGs making sacrifice Of his foudest wiaLe
at the shrine Of flial duty,
Judge Wostbury died, and with almost
his parting breath he pronounced Z blessing
upon Julia as his daughter-thc wife o.
his son-most solemnly repeating his con-
viction that she would soon secure thu
heart Of her husband!
Immediately on the dcceasc of her fricnt
and father, Julia returned home, and il
three months Frederic followed her to full
fill his promise, He was wretched, anC
would have given world, had he'posses
sed it, to be free from his engagement
But that could never be. His word hat
been given to his father, and must be re
ligiously redeemed. ~ will make her M,
wife;" thought he; T promised my fathe
that l would. Thank heaven 1 neve
: promised that would love her p Repug
, nant as such an union was to his feeling,
he was really impatient to have it CON
plctcd for as his idea of his duty and oil
f legation went not beyond the bare act c
t making her his wife, he felt that, that one
done, he should be comparatively frc
: man.
"I am come" said he to Julia, "to fll
/, my engagement, VIII you name day fc
C the ceremony"
$ His countonance was so gloomy, hi
a manners so cold-so utterly destitute {
: tenderness or kindly feeling, that some
n thing like terror seized Julia's heart an
T without making any reply, she burst int
t tears.
"Why these tears, Miss Horton :" sal
a he, "Our mutual promise was given to M
S father it is fit VIC redeem it,"
If "No particular time was spccifod,"-
g said Julia, timidly, and with falterin
c voice. as so much haste necessaryl'
is "My father wished that no unnecessar
1t delay should be made" said Frederic, "an
n | can see no reason why VIC should not a
d well be married now, as at any future pei
c iod. If you consult my wishes, you wi