The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-08-15


addressing the lady
He is sir"
" He seems TO be quite aged"
He is in his eghty-hird year--he has survived
| all his children except myself"
(" You have once seen better days.
| haYe--my husband was wealthy, but false
friends have ruined him he endorsed notes to
great amount, which stripped us of nearly all our
property, ana one misfortune followed another,
| until we were reduced to poverty. My husband
did not long survive his losses, and two OF my
children soon followed him"
" Have you any remaining children ?"
= have but one, and he is our only support.
My health is SO feeble / cannot do much, and my
father being blind, needs great attention. Ny son
conceals from me the amount Of his salary but
| am convinced he sends me nearly all if not the
whole amount of it,"
"Then he is not at home with you?n
" No sir he is clerk TO wealthy merchant in
Philadelphia"
!" Pray, what is your sons nameg"
"Henry Whitman
"Henry Whtmanl" exclaimed Mr.. Dana--why
he is my clerk | left him at my house not a fort
night since.
Here followed succession of inquiries which
eylnced an anxiety and solicitude that mother
alone can feel--to all which Mr. Dana replied to
her satisfaction.
You know our Henry?" said the old man
|
know as worthy lad as ever lived; God bless him.
he will bless him for his goodness to his old
grandfather" he added in tremuous voice, while
the tears chased each other down his cheeks.
" He's worthy fellow, to be sure" said Mr.. D.
arising, and placing well filed purse in the hands
Of the OLD man. 1" He is worthy young man,
aud shall not want friends, be assured"
He left the cottage.
"Noble boy, said he mentally, as he was riding
lel5urelY on his into
pie boy, he shall not want wealth to enable him to
distribute happiness. | believe he loves nv girl
and ii he does he shall have her and all my property
| into the bargain.
Filled with this project, and determined, if pos
sbie to ascertain the true state of their hearts he
entered the breakfast room next morning after his
arrival home. Caroline was alone
so Henry is about leaving us to 90 to England
and try his fortune, he carelessly observed
Henry about leaving use" said Caroline, drop
ing the work she held in her hand" about to
leave us and go to England u in a tone that
evinced the deepest interest.
10 be sure; but what if he is my child ?"
Nothing, sir, nothing-only / thought we
should oe rather lonesome" she replied, turning
away to hide the tears she could not suppress
" Tell me, Caroline said Mr. Dana tenderly EN-.
bracing her, tell me-do you not love Henry p
You know wish your happiness, my child.
have ever treated you with kindness, and you have
never until now kept anything hid from your ia
thern
Neither will l now," she replied, hiding her
lace in his bosom. 6 do most sincerely esteem
him, but do not for the world tell him So for he has
never said it was returned. 1'.
The daughter was left alone
p" henry" said he, entering the counting house,
you expect to visit the country shortly, do you
believe you told me So"
F" Yes, sir in about four weeks"
a" If 1t would not be too inconvenient," reioined
MIR. Dana =" should like to have you defer it
week or two longer at least"
at will be no inconvenience, sir, and if it will
accommodate you, will with pleasure"
1T will most certainly oblige me, for Caroline
Is to be married in-about six weeks, and / would
not miss having you attend the wedding"
Caroline TO be married, sir!" said Henry,
starting as if by an electric shock. Caroline to
be married! Is il possiblel"
"To be sure it is; but what is there 80 won
derfu about that?"
Nothing, sir, only it was rather sudden, rather
unexpected, that's all"
1T is rather sudden, to be sure but am an
old man, and as the man is We'll worthy of her,
see no use in waiting any longer, and am very
glad you can stay to the wedding"
cannot stay, sir-indeed cannot ~ replied
Henry, forgetting what he had previously said.
You cannot stay why, you lust now said
you would" replied Mr. Dana
Yes sir, but business requires my presence in
the country, and must CO."
But you said it would not put you to any in
convenience, and that you would wait with pleas
ure"
" Command me in anything else, but in that re-
quest l cannot, l cannot oblige you" said Henry,
rising and walking the floor with rapid strides
Poor fellow, he had thought his passion subdu-
ed; but when he found that Caroline was SO soon,
so irrevocaby to become another's the latent
spark burst forth into an unextinguishable flame
and he found il in vain to endeayor TO conceal his
emotion.
The old man regarded him with look of ear
nestness-
Henry, tell me frankly do you love nv girl ?"
g will be candid with you sir" replied Henry,
unconscious that his agitation had betrayed him.
" Had fortune such as she merits, and as you,
sir, have a right to expect, / should esteem N.Y.
self the happest Of men could gain her love
"Then, sir, she is yours" cried the delighted |
old man, "say not a word about property, nv
boy--true worth Is better than riches. | was
only trying you Henry, Caroline will never be |
married to any but yourself"
The transition from despair TO happiness was
great For moment Henry remained silent but
his looks spoke volumes. At last he said
scorn to deceive you, sir; | am poorer than
what you even suppose have a feeble mother
and grandfather who are"
I" know it'll know it Henry, said Mr. Dana
interruptng him. :" know the reason of your
par5imony, and honor you for tit was that
which first pat it into my head to give you Caro-.
lne--so she shall be yours, and may God bless you
both" They separated
Shortly after this conversation, Henry avowed
his love to Caroline and solicited her hand and il
is needless to say he did not solicit in van Caro-.
line would have deferred their union until the en-.
suing spring but her father was inexorable.-
He supposed he would have to own falsehood,
hC said, aud they would willingly have him shoulder
two; but it was too much--entirely so-and he
had told Henry that she was going to be married
in six weeks-and he should not forfeit his word.
" But perhaps" added he, apparently recollect-
ing himself and turning to Henry, 1--WE shall have
to defer il after ALL for you have important business