M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1857-07-16

1 he was accosted by poor mendlcant
clothed in rags, who was exposed at
that late hour of the night to the in.
clemency Of the season.
pray, sir" said the beggar to
Ferris, lean you give me trifle! |
am nearly starved, and chilled through
by this cold night air."
i Ferris, after a few moments conver-
sation with the beggar, for he had not
the heart to turneaway from the suffer
ing of a fellow creature, handed him
a purse containing five or six dollars;
urging him to seek immediate shelter
and food. The begger blessed him
; and passed on.
A few nights subsequent to this oc.
curronce he wes again at the fathers
house. Mrs. Il, Arnie's moth
er, received him, as she did most Of
her visitors, with a somewhat con-
strained and distant welcome. Being
a woman of no conversational powers,
: she always retired early, conducted
her intercourse with society in the
most formal manner. Ferris was
much surprised that Mr.. Il
had taken no particular notice of his
intimacy at his house, for he seldom
saw him, and when he could, the old
mans eyes bent sternly upon him
in ANYTHING but a friendly and invi-
ting spirit. In this dilemma, he was
at a loss what course to pursue, since
Annie's acknowledgment Of atiec-
tons for him, and now he was equal
ly distant from tho goal Of his happi-
ness, for his better judgment told him
that the consent Of her parents could
never be obtained.
}, On this occasion he had taken
leave as usual, when was met by the
beggar of the former night and again
solicited for aims, declaring that he
could find no one else to assist him,
and that the money he had before be-
slowed upon him had beer expended
for food and rent for a miserable cellar
where he had lodged.
Again Ferris placed purse in the
poor mans hand, at the same time tell
. ing him he himself was poor, and con-
J strained to the practice ofrigid econo-
, my in the support Of those dependent
| upon him. lie left the beggar and
! passed on his way happy iu having
, contributed to the elevation Of human
suffering.
f Not long subsequent, Ferris called
one evening at the house OF Mr..
Il and fortunately found Annie
and her father alone, the former en-
gagged on piece of embroidery of a
new pattern, and the latter pouring
over volume of ancient philosophy,
On his entrance, the old gentleman
took no further apparent notice Of him
} than slight inclination Of the head;
t and "good evening, sir"
lie took q chair by Annie's side, and
} told her of his love in low but ardent
tones, begging permission to speak to
: her father on the subject.
80, he will not hear a word Of the
matter, know" said the sorrowing
girl. mo longer ago than yesterday
Il he spoke to me relative to a COnnec-
ton with Il; | can never love
hnt one man. y said the beauty giving
him her hand.
Ferris could bear this suspense no
longer. In fact, the hint relative to
, her alliance to another, spurred him to
action. He then proceeded to that
part of the room where Mr.. Il
, sat, and after few Introductory re-
marks, he said:
t "You have doubtless observed, sir,
my intimacy with your family, for
more than ayear past. From the fact
that you did not object to my atten-
tions to your daughter, l have been
led to hope that it might not altogeth:
er be against your wishes. May
ask, sir, with due respect, your opln'
\ ion in this matterW
=, 81 have often seen you here" re-
a piled Mr.. Il, "and have nc
f reason to object to your visits, sir"
= Indeed, sir, You are 50 very kind.
n | have neither fortune or rank to oftei
: your daughter; but, still, emboldened
= by love, ask you now for her hand,
:. The old man laid by his book, and
/ removing his spectacles, asked;
: "Does the lady sanction your re
a questl"
e "She does"
= "But you ask"
r, "Your daughters hand"
"lt's yours"
IS Ferris sprang in astonishment TO hi'
" feet, saying:
p II hardly know how to receive
t. your kindness, my dear sir; | looked
Of for different treatment"
Ie "Listen, young man." said the ia
ther; "do you think l should have al
le lowed you to become intimate in ny
g family, without first knowing you
characterl Do you think Shoul(
Ie have given you this precious chile
le land here placing her hand in Ferris
a IN vou before I had proved Won! No