Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-03-14
NJ | S C Z L L A N Y.
THE FIRE.
BY PAULINE FORSYTH.

by PAl LINE FuhS1Tll
Henry Clay Porter had grown up in the
backwoods of North Carolina. He was tall and
slender, like the pines of his father land, under
whose shades his life had been spent. At the
age of twenty-one he had never been twenty
miles from home: He was quite content, how
ever, with his lot he thought he lived in the
finest State in the Union.-ls there any one
from Maine TO California who does not share
the same deluson And his fathers place was
in the very best section Of the State-for it was
near the Virginia line.
Thus happily situated, he had grown from
youth TO manhood without desire for change.
But what he asked not for himself fortune was
about to bestow upon him. A rich relative, an
ardent admirer OF the great statesman after
whom the young North Carolinian was named,
died, and left all his fortune 10 the possessor Of
that honored cognomem
With the income Of two hundred thousand
dollars at his disposal Henry Clay Porter be-
gan to show symptoms of ros'lessness. There
sire 10 act for himself; but, never having as
yet taken the reins in his own hand, he knew
no other way in this emergency, than 10 apply
to his father for his advice. For, as he would
have told the reader, "he was raised in The
pine woods and, therefore. did not know how
soon the youth Of our cities and towns feel them
selves capable of acting upon their own Judge
ment.
The elder Mr.. Porter counselled his son to
get married, and settle himself down ON his
plantation, which was very large one, and
would give him ample occupation
"There is frst-rate Overseer on the planta
tion," said Henry, she can manage it as wei
as could myself, and as to marrying, that
would not be so bad if knew anybody 10 mar
ry; but the truth is, that have known all the
girls about here so long, that am rather tired
of them" This was said hesitatngly and de
pricatingly, as though the speaker were aware
that this remark was not exactly want his fai
companions and associates would have though
complimentary. But it was the simple truth
there was not one of the young ladies of tn
neighborhood, whom Henry had not played
= and talked, and laughed, and danced with, an'
seen at school, and at church, and at festive
gatherings since he wore frocks himself.
And in such cases, unless the love commence
in early childhood, and grows with the growth
one might as well expect to rekndle fire b
cold embers as to excite such passion in
hear, in which daily and familiar intercours
;. had long ceased to cause throb of pleasure.
His sons last remark threw Mr.. Porter int
a brown study, broken at length by Henry, VIII
said
"Father, what do you think Of my going
Philadelphia to study medicine!"
.Lo. h.an nf N nm
s. plantation" he replied "but hardly thin
yonr mother would like to have you go so ia
away"
However, Mrs Porter's consent was at lengt
won and before many weeks, Henry Clay Po
ter was standing on the steps of one of the MOI
r, fashionable boarding houses in Chestnut Stree
gazing with round-eyed wonder on all the lit
and hustle, and continual movement that passe
as before him. How so many people found
much to do was mystery 10 him.
As he stood there he was himself, althong
= he knew il not, an object of smiling scrunity
T. the passers-by. Fresh from place wher
whether his coat was of homemade linsey-wo
sey or of superfne broadcloth, whether 1t wi
: made in this years style or dated back TO son
unremembered time, he was still Henry Ci'
Z. Porter, the son of the richest planter in Il
neighborhood. He was as ignorant as chi
~ Of the Significance of dress--of the social IN
o. portance that is the gin of fashioable tailor
H. 4. If his opinion on the subject had been aske
Y, he would have said, in his oracular way, tn
NJ NJ "dress was of no account" and so dismiss
o. the question. Therefore he stood unconcer
on edly, while his short-waisted coat, every sea
ins rE OF which betrayed the country artist who fas
N. ioned il, his thick boots, his hat pitched on
hack of his head, and his ndescribable wal
coat, told their story to the Practised eyes
the citizens.
But this state of things did not last long.
Ic % Before many weeks, just about the time Il
of Henry Clay Porter famed out in scarlet We
lot the only article of fnery he had been moved
ia buy since his arrival in the city, it was disc
= cred that the simple country youth was a
sE lionaire rumor, in travelling from No
ore Carolina to Philadelphia, having fingered 10
e. enough by the way TO increase his fortune h
be fold.
1t is singular coincidence that about