Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-07-02
CLARKSyILlE. TENN, FRIDAY. JULY 2. 1858.

your own judgment, although, in this
instance, it is based on error, as / will
convince you at leisure time. i will
never urge you to do that which is wrong,
in your opinion-so let us say no more
about it.
"Nay, father, my wishes shall never run
counter to yours, on point so triAing, so
l will leave you to settle the question Of
propriety in this case. But there is another
objection to the proposed arrangement
the weather is oppressively warm, and we
shall be too much crowded with four in
the carriage"
"Thatobjection is easily removed, Helen.
Your maid can ride in Mr.. Lees barouche
and I am sure he will not occupy more
space than she does"
"Then let it be SO arranged, father, and
now that the difficulty is settled to your
satisfaction, let US set off while it is cool,
for you know how much we suffered from
heat yesterday"
"All shall be ready in moment" He
said, as he left the room, highly elated
with the success of his negotiation. Nor
was Helen less pleased than he, and the
objections she had raised--we grieve to
say it-were designed to conceal her own
wishes, and to gain credit for degree of
prudence to which she was not entitled.
By the time Helen had donned her
travelling dress, her father returned to
escort her to the carriage beside which,
Mr.. Lee was standing when they reached
it. Mr.. Berne formally introduced his
daughter to Mr.. Lee, and both smiled, as
if thinking that the form, which is we'll
enough under ordinary circumstances, was
now needless, if not little ludicrous.-
They acted their parts very well, however,
and as he handed her into the carriage,
Mr.. Lee remarked to Helen that he hoped,
as delightful breeze had sprung up, she
would find the ride much more pleasant
than on the day previous ;-and bowling
an adieu was about to retreat to his own
vehicle, when Mr.. Berne laid his hand
upon his shoulder, and said:
"Follow Helen into the carriage, sir, for
I am resolved to have your company, to-
day, or shall loose the use of my tongue
just for want of exercise. Helen is pos
sessed with dumb spirit since we left
home, and I have actually been reduced
to the necessity of talking to the driver
just to keep in practice.
II am much obliged to you sir, for your
tempting PROPOSAL" said Mr.. Lee; "and
nothing would give me more pleasure than
to accept it; but will not be guilty of such
an intrusion unless 1 have the express
permission of Miss Berne."
"If my father wishes IT." she answered
with affected embarrassment. "I can MOI
withhold my consent without being con
sidered disobedient and," she added
with smile, "rather than suffer him Il
loose the use of his tongue, or throw away
his eloquence, as he did yesterday, upor
Tom, the driver, would even solicit YOU
company"
"Since, then. there is prospect of my
being useful, sir, ] have no right to de
cline your offer, which 1 gladly accept
with the understanding that my presence
is to be no restraintupon the free exercise o
your faculty of speech, or a source of an
noyance to Miss Berne."
"Have no fears on either score, sir )
said Mr.. Berne, "but just seat yoursel
comfortably, and let us be off there are
other parties going the same road, and tt
avoid the dust we must keep ahead"