The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-11-14


and they sauntered on the shore until It wa
dark, then entered the hotel ss privately d
possible, and making the best Of their wn,
TO their respective rooms, lost no time il
donning more appropriate habiliments. "a
saAaIAoRAYTAk. On LET EVERY GrnI
CHOOSE HER OWN HUSBAND. Ii
:. Seated in pleasant chamber was q youn,
lady, the daughter Of one Of the most ariis
tocratic merchants in New England. II,
had risen from obscuTity; and By course
although not strictly honest, jet in aooor.
dance with the practice of the wealthies,
merchants in the country, had amassed /
large amountof property. With him, uedltl
is everything -he knew nothing Of happi.
ness,, save when i Was considered in .tht
scale Of dollars and cents; and needed onl,
that : man be wealthy, no matter BY whal
means hesbecome 90, 70 insure respect q a
ii His residence was but 4 few miles from
the city of Boston, and it was one of the
most beautiful in the vicinity. No pains
had been spared to make it worthy Of notice
for Mr.. Graften was man fond Of praise
His youngest daughter, Maria, was the only
child remaining at home. Two sons, on
whom he placed his hopes for the reputation
OF his family name, and on whom he de.
signed to bestow the greater portion of his
wealth, died ere they obtained manhood
OF the three daughters, two were /, married.
leaving Maria with her father whom he 10y.
ed next to his money. sss 's'&A '!1
Sad were the thoughts Of the fair girl, d.
she sut alone inher chamber; but they were
soon interrupted. The voice of her father
summoned her to the parlor. When she
descended, she found be was accompanied
by young man named Stevens, who had
some time previous, offered his hand to Ma.
ria. But not content with her refusal, and
knowing the attachment of her father to
wealth, he called him to aid. Maria raised
her eyes as she entered the room, but as
she saw Stevens she turned her head and
seated herself beside the window. Her
father addressed her presenting Stevens,
and informed her that It was his wish that
she should accept him as her future hus-
band. Maria informed her father that she
had rejected Mr.. Stevens once, and even
did she l0ue him, which she was verv certain
she did not, her own Judgment taught her
better than to risk her happiness in his
hands. sfft tss . Isssssss al -aszd 10 Eo;
"What do you know of loye?" said Mr..
Graften; Sand why are you unwilling to
risk your happiness with him? His wealth
is sufficient to procure every comfort, and
his character-o T a.sA g gtiEzeT O.
"Intamousw interrupted Maria, looking
him in the face. . - -
Stevens turned pale, his lips quivered
with rage, and the anger of her father
scarely knew bounds. At length pointing
his finger at Stevens, he inquired gsas :
"And what do you know Of his character?''
"Enough to convince me that my words
are true" answered Maria. ~ nt7'.I
'tMy daughter" said Mr.. Graften, assu-
ming milder tone, ssthough you may have
heard reports unfavorable to Mr.. Stevens,
believe me they are without foundation
He ia one of the wealthiest men in the
city," a24 Fs ol gl2aiz :n5 ...a-s {.
s.He may be all you think he is,'' said
Maria, "but cannot marry him." ~
"You may 60 to your chamber" said the
father, 81 am determined that Henry Ste
ve5s shall be my son-in-law, and you must
marry him Or quit my house. l will neither
own nor support an ungrateful and disobe-
dent daughter. To morrow shall expect
your answer" Az 14s 7ii7 4tt255 st.' si's>s %
Maria knew too we'll the character of her
father to make any reply. This was a
crisis which she had some days feared. She
knew that her refusal of Stevens would
bring down his wrath upon her head and had
written to both her sisters, stating the
and requesting, in case her
father should drive her from the house, the
privilege of remaining short time with
them. Their husbands had married them
more on account Of their fathers wealth,
than for any affectien they had for them;
and they feared if they gave Maria home,
their father would disinherit them. Such
is the effect which wealth has on the atfec-
tions.
Maria retired to her chamber, and after
giving vent to a food of tears, deliberated
what course to pursue. One thing was Ger.
tain, she was determined not to marry Ste
vcns. Tho next thing was, how could she
obtain a living? After thinking Of the mat
ter for some time, she said to herself: a;al
"Well, ! have good constitution, and
can labor; but how wonld it appear for the
of the rich Mr.. Graften, to 20 about
the city seeking employment?'' % 'o'ass@. '1ts'
At last she concluded that, rather than
remain in the city, she would 60 to some
village, and if possible, obtain employment.
At this moment she recollected having heard
one of the housemaids speak of being en-
ployed in factory, aud she descended to the
"Hannah,o said she, addressing the girl.
81 heard youa few days since, speak OF
working in factory; how did you like it
there?'' al 10 ya.frEg s8st IS - ses us
"Oh! | liked it very much, Miss Maria,
and should have remained there had my
health been good" :. 3. t..'
"Was the work harder than your work
heres" inquired Maria. a
"No, ma'am, | don't think it was, but was
more confning." 60. 60. =. y,
evil you tell me where it is?'' enquired
Maria. s' AS 'ai'3 @&'s '@sgs't''i' , a@s
q The girl gave the required information,
and the name of the overseer of the room
where she had worked, and the name of the
lady with whom she boarded, adding, s'sshe
is the kindest lady ever saw.'s 3aa =
The mind of Maria was now made up.--
She decided upon entering the factory
Another, difficulty now presented itself.
Would her father allow her to take her
and what money she had. She de-
if he should still adhere to his
resolution, to ask him the question. In the
she met her father at the break
fast table. AT length her father inquired;
swell, Maria, have you concluded to mar
ry Mr.. Stevensa'' affbI sSg et
Maria hesitated for moment, but said
firmly, ssI have not"
"You heard my determination last night .
said he, Sand now Irepeat it. You must
marry Henry Stevens, or quit my house,
stl cannot marry him father,'' said she.
"Sooner would quit not only this house,
but the world ~ ryr,-',
"Ihen go!" said he, angrily, rising from
his chair. 9s s'f'%e
s.Shall | take my clothes,'' asked Maria.