The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-06-30

| Still he was q strange man he seldom
spoke TO those around him, yet he eviucod
the warmest love for his only child, and
Anne loved her father with an ardent af-
lection. His delight was to pore over his
library living as it.were, in the fellowship
Of the old philosophers. On several oc-
casions when Ferris was at his house, and
engaged in conversation with Anne, he OBJ
served the old mans gaze bent sternly up
on him. and be would wake to the reality
of his situation.
Ferris was one evening in Beacon street
at the house of MIR. H, where in spite
of the cold reception he received from
those he generally met there, he still en-,
ioyed himself in the belief that Anne was
not indifferent to his regard. He had been
relating to her, with her request, his ex-
perience with different national characters
with whom he had met, speaking of their
peculiarities, and describing the various
scenes Of different countries Anne sat
near sweet geraneum, whose leaves she
was industriously engaged in destroying.
Ferris bending close to her ear, said
"Anne will pluck mo that rose as
token OF affection! you must know how
ardentis minO for you-or STOP dearest,
behind it blows the condruft. You know
the mystic language Of both, will you
choose and give me one ?"
" Hush-hush, Ferris" said the blush
ing and trembling girl, plucking and hand
ing him the rose.
This passed when the attention of the
company present was drawn to some en-
gaging object.-Ncver before had Ferris
received an evidence Of Annes love, save
from h tel-tale eyes.-The flower was
placed next to his heart, and he left the
apartment, He had proceeded but few
steps from the house when he was accos-
ted by poor mendicant, clothed in rags,
who was exposed at that late hour of the
night to the inclemeucy of the weather.
Pray, sir" said the beggar to Ferris,
can you give me a trife? I am nearly
starved, and chilled through by this nights
air."
Ferris after few moments conversa-
ton with the beggar, for he had not a
heart to turn away from the suffering of a
fellow creature, handed him a purse con-
taining five or six dollars, urging him to
seek immediate shelter and food. The
beggar blessed him and passed on.
a few nights subsequent to this occur
renee he was again at her fathers house.
Mrs. Il, ,Anne's mother, received him
as she did most Of her visitors, with some
what constrained and distant welcome
Bein., woman of no great conversational
powers, she always retired quite early,
conducting 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 were bent sternly
upon him in anything but friendly and
inviting spirit. In this dilemma he was
at loss what course to pursue, since Annes
acknowledgement of her affection for him
and now h was equally distant from the
goal of happiness, for his better Judgment
told him that the consent Of her parents
could be obtained
On this occasion he had taken his leave
as usual, when he was met by the beggar
of the former night, who again solicited
aims, declaring that he could find no one
else to assist him and that the money that
be bestowed upon him had been expenden
Tor food and rent of miserable cellar
where he had lodged
Again Ferris placed purse in the poor
mans hand at the same time telling him
that he was poor, and constrained to prac-
tice Of rigid economy in the support Of
those dependent upon him. He left the
beggar and passed on his way happy iu
having contributed TO the alienation oi
human suffering.
Not long subsequent, Ferris called one
evening at the house Of Mr.. H, and
fortunately found Anne and her father
alone, the former engaged upon piece O
embroidery Of a new pattern, and the lat
ter porng over volume of ancient philos
ophy.
On his entrance the old gentleman tool
no further notice of him than u slight in
clination Of the head, and :" good evening
sir"
ile took chair by Anne's side, anC
told her his love in low but ardent tones
begging permission to speak to her fathe
on the subject.