The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-09-26
WAsHINGToN SATURDAY., sEPTEMBER 26. 1857 "

years old, and all recollection OF her had fade
from his memory. Judge Westbury was one
| the most amieble one OF the best men but witt
regard to the management of his son, he was to-
much like the venerable Israetish priest Hi
| son, like other sons, often did that which wa
wrong, and he restrained him not He was neithc
Negligent IN teaching, nor in warning but instruc
ton and discipline did not they ever should do
! 80 hand-in-hand and for want Of this discipline
| Frederic grew up with passions uncontrolled
| with will unsubdued. He received finished
education, and his mind which was of "a high
order, was richly stored with knowledge. His pride
Oh Character was great, and he looked down with
contempt on all that was dishonorable or vicious
he had chlvalrous generosity, aud a frankness of
disposition that led him to detest concealment or
deceit. He loved or hated with his whole soul
In person he was elegant; his countenance was
marked with intellect and strong feeling and he
had the bearing of prince. Such was Frederic
Westbary at the ago Of fourand-twenty.
About year before his marriage, Frederic be-
came acquainted with Maria Eden, young lady
OF great beauty of person, and fascination OF man
ner, who, at once enslaved his affections But
against Miss Elden, Judge Wcstbury had conceived
prejudice, and for once in his life was obetinate
in refusing TO indulge his son in the wish of his
heart He foresaw, or thought he did 50, the
utter ruin OF that sons happiness, should he so
ally himself. He had selected wife for bis son,
a daughter-in-law for himself more to his own
| taste. ~ #.
julia Horton was possessed of all that he thought
| valuable or fascinating in woman. Possibly Fred
eric might have thought so too had he known her,
| ere his heart was in possession of another but
being pointed out to him as one to whom he must
transfer his affections he locked on her with aver
sion as the chief obstacle to the realization of his
wishes. Julia was born, and had been educated,
| in place remote from Judge Westbury's resi-
dence; but from her infancy he had seen her from
time to time, as business led him into that art of
the country in which her parents resided. In her
childhood she cntwined herself around the heart
of the Judge and from that period he had looked
on her as the future wife of his son. His views
and wishes, however were strictly confined to his
own breast until to his dismay, he found that his
sons affections were entangled. This discovery
was no sooner made than he wrote pressing let.
ter to julia, who was now an orphan, TO come
and make him visit ola few weeks. The reason
he gave for inviting her was, that his health was
rapidly declining, (Which was indeed 100 true and
he felt that her society would be solace TO his
heart. Julia came; she saw Frederic heard his
enlightened conversation; observed his polished
manners; remarked the lofty tone of his feelings
and giving the rens to her fancy, without consult.
ing reason or prudence, she loved him. Too late
for her security, but too soon for her peac, she
should betray her folly to the object of her
unsought affection, she wished Immediately to
return to her native place. But TO this
Judge Westbury would not listen. He soon dis
covered the state of her feelings and it CAV. him
unmingled satisfaction. 1t augured well fer the
success of his dearest earthly hope; and as his
strength was rapidly declining, consumption having
fastened her deadly fangs upon him, to hasten him
TO the grave, he gave his whole mind to the accom-
nj slA a A. l. 4
to the subject with disgusted impatence; bat his
feelings softened as he saw his father sinking 20 the
tomb; and, in an unguarded hour, he promised him
that he would make Julia his wife Judge West
bury next exerted himself 10 a obtain promise
from Julia that she would accept the hand of his
son and he rested not until they had mutually
plghted their faith at his bed side To Frederick
this was moment Of unmingled misery. II I, saw
that his father was dying, and felt himself con-
strained to promise his hand TO one woman, while
has heart was in possession Of another
Julia's emotions were of the most conf citing
character. To be the plighted bride of a man she
loved, made her heart throb with ioy. and her
faith in his fathers assurance that she would win
his affections, sustained her hope that his p,edic.
tion would be verified. Yet when she marke the
countenancc of her future husband, her heart sank
within her She could not flatter herself into the
belief, that its unmingled gloom arose solely from
felt that he was making sacrifice Of his fondcst
wishes at the shrine Of flia duty a.
Judge Wcstbury died; and with alniost his
parting breath he pronounced blessing on Julia
as his daughtcr-the wife of his son-most sol
emnly repeating his conviction that che would
soon secure the heart Of her husband!
Immediately on the dcceasc Of her friend and
father, Julia returned Eomc, and in three months
Frederic followed her TO fulfil his promise
Ia ...J, IA
had he possessed ID, TO be free from his engage
ment. But that could never be. His wotd had
been given 70 his father and must be religipusly
redeemed. "I will make her nv wife, =" thought
he; " i promised my father that | would Thank
heaven, never promised that would love her ~
Repugnant rs such union was TO his feelings. he
was really impatient to have Il completed for as
his idea Of his duty and obligation went not eyond
the bare act Of making her his wife, he felt that,
that once done, he should be comparatively free
man.
al am come" said he TO Julia "to fulfil INV on.
gagemcnt. VIII you name day for tho ccrc.
monyg"
His countenance was so gloomy, his manners 20
cold-so utterly destitute Of tenderness or kindly
feeling, that something like terror seized Julia'-
heart; and without making anv reply she burst
into tears.
Why these tears, Miss Horton!" said no.
'Our mutnnl promise was gwen 70 my father; ~
is fit VIC redeem it,"
I" No particular time was specified" said Julia
timidly, and with faltering voice. ais so much
haste nccessaryr"
Ny father wished that no mncccss any delay
should be made" said Federic "aud can SIC no
reason why we should not as we'll be married now,
as at any future period II you consult my wishes,
you will name an early day."
The day was fixed, and at length arrived. pres.
senting the singular anomaly OF = man eagerly has
tening to the altar, to utter vows from which his
heart recoiled, and n woman going to It with
trembling and reluctance, though about 10 mi,
ted to him wao possessed hcr undivided Iifec-
tons
The wedding ceremony over, Mr.. WcstburV i'm.
mediately took his bride TO his elegantly furnished
house threw Il open for week to receive bridal
visits; and then gladly obcycd a summons to New
York, TO attend to some affairs Of mpor ance.
On leaving home he felt as If released from boud-
age sense of proprietF had constrained him
20 receive the congratulations OF his friends with
an air of satisfaction, at least, while those very
congratulations CONCEALED his heart, by br rging
to mind the ties he had formed with ono he could
not love- to the mpossibility Of his forming them
with one whom he idolized. When he had bc'n ab.
sent about ten days, he availed himself If an
opportunity to send verbal message 20 he
e n. IL GgN.Vl