Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-04-29

one Win TOO Is nauyuty. nlSgaru anu
selfish; both the extremes contemptIble and
mean. BE then neither too fashionably dres-
sed nor too slovenly. too devout nor too word
ly A mere butterfly in the world of fashion
and pleasure, making but small pretensions
to religion, is character bad enough, but
worse to my thinking is tue fiery zealot, on
| the other hand, who has too many rigid vir-
tues who is continually railing against the
| world, displeased at nything like rational en-
| joyment, and shocked at the least merriment,
I dancing. playing. or any amusement that the
! heart, in its iullness and gladness, prompts
the young and sprightly to indulge. So. then
avoid extremes of every description. But to
the story:
"Sixteon years ego Salem. in Virginia,
was one of the most lovely villages imagna-
BILE situated in the heart of the great valley
of Virginia, yet commanding a magnificent
view of the bold outlines of the Alleghenies
a.d the Blue Ridge The village contained
no buildings of note save two; one Of them, a
magnificent tenement, the princely residence
of Que of the - old Virginia aristocracy > the
other, the only Inn, small, quaint. yet
! pleasant house nestled in the centre of the
town. The proprietor of the one. wealthy
planter and distinguished officer of the State ;
| the other poor widow, whose only living de-
pended on the profits of her table, which were
! but scant as there was little travelling done
at that day, through this retired village And
! the advent OF stranger was always Il subject
| of curiosity and interest to the good towns
| folks, as it is always so in the secluded villa
| ges and inns, in the out-of-the-wsy places Of
! America.
! To this little Inn gaily dressed, yet weary
| worn. traveller picked his way one evening in
! the autumn of lS-. The buxom hostess and
| her tidy daughter were all lie and frisked
/ about bestirring the savory viands, delicious
! cakes aud eggs, much to the satisfaction Of
| our hungry avelcr, who appeared to be a
! young man of some twenty summers. tall,
commanding. OF fine appearance and pleasing
! manners He soon, by dint OF fraukness and
| suavity OF manner insiruatcd himself into the
| good grsces of the hostess and daughter,
with the latter of whom he appeared much
| struck. for she was as lovely as she was neat
! aud graceful.
| g Possessing charms not unlike one almost
equal to whom | adore" exclaimed the youug
traveller admiriugly, as be placed himself be-
fore the sparkling FIRE after finishing bis re-
! past ''and expect ere long to lead to the al
ter, and with whom you are doubtless acouain-
ted. as she lives only in the mansion above
| the village | understand"
! hostess Even so my good dame / met
her at the Springs some months ago, became
enamored with her, wooe9, won and am now
| come to claim my bride'
! = She is beautiful creature, indeed :" in-
! terposed Augusta. the hostess daughter, ''but
! somewhat proud as is her father
Not so, indeed gentle Augusta, if she
has pride it is nothing but nature, naidenly
/ pride, which every lass should have Aud
| you say, Miss Augusta, she is quite well -
well, wilt let this pleasing intelligence re-
strain you toni 9 ht. aud Tomorrow | will give
| the fair enchantress, L trust, an agreeable sur
! prise"
Early next morning as etiquette would per-
NIT the young npan set out with buovant
heart and high hopes to the mansion
But we will precede him and look in on his
fair betrothed.
In a magnificent parlor of the mansion sat
Emma White aud ner mother, the one tbuni-
ming piano, and tde other interrogating a
servant
. And you say. Sambo, he lodged last ev-
eninc at the Inn 7"
. Yes, Misse, de cook say he dare now
W ell you can retire and so Ma, it is
even as expected | thought it was him as
he rode past last evening"
Well, Emma how do you intend to bluff
him off; I'm thinking it will be a shameful
and delicate business"
Shameful, indeed When attorney Lo-
gan introduced him to me at the Springs, he
brought him forward as one of the law stu
dents, and not poor printer as he is-rn
never forgive Dir. Logan"
@ He Is not to blame, my dear, he IS his
pupil, didn't the letter say he was Journey
man printer at A., but In consideration
OF his promising abilities, MIR Logan under
took gratuitousiy to bring him to the bar"
g Well for all that I'll never marry a poor
| printer. | did have a tender regard for him
once, and when | gave him my hand eenl-
ed him somebody, SO [ acted from the pro,np-
ting of the heart, but now I'll be ruled by nv
better Judgment I"
= Well. please yourself in that matter, my
dear. I'm disposed to think honorably of -
out la me, if lie isn't at fhe door now %
Scarcely had she done speaking when our
hero entered. and with heart overiowino
with gratitude and love. spraug forward to
meet the object of his idolatry, but imagine
! ms surprise and dismay when he received on
| ly IN return cold, distant courtesy, whicn
| iroze his blood aud rooted him to the spot. =
| Bewiidered and astonished at sueb rreetinp
from his fair betrothed, he turned f,r expla-
nation to the mothsr, who, perceiyiuo the
general embarrassment, stepped forward, and
Offering him seat, explained to him that
since her daught' RS return from the Springs
! she had. after mature reflection, and exani-
ming her heart, thought it best to dissolve the
engagement that had been made between
them