Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-03-26
Prom 1lOuSehold Words.
THE SIN OF A FATHER.

his way in the world. lie had gone to study
this profession in Edinburgh, aud his energy,
ability, and good conduct had entitled him to
some notice on the part Of the professors
Once introduced to the ladies Of their families,
his prepOSsesSing appearance and pleasing
manners made him an universal favOrite, and
perhaps no other student received rs many
invitations to dances, evening parties, or was
so often singled out to fill up an odd vacancy
at the last moment at the dinner table: No
ono knew particularly who he was, or where
he sprAng from; but then he had no near re
lation, a. he had once Or twice observed; 40
he was evidently not hampered with low bred
connections lie had been in mourning for
his mother when he first came TO college
All this much was recalled 10 the recollcc.
ton Of Professor Frazer by his niece Morgar-
ct as she stood before him one morning in his
study, telling him, in low but resOlutc voice,
that the night before Doctor james Brown had
offered her marriage, that she had accepted
him, and that he was intending to call on Pro
fcssOr Frazer (hcr uncle and natural guardian)
that very morning to obtain his consent to
their engagement. Professor Frazer was per.
fectly aware, from Margaret's manner, that
his consent was regarded by her ~ Q mere
form, for that her mind was made up and he
had more than once had occasion to find ont
how infcxiblc she could be- Yet he too was
Of the same blood, and held TO his own opin.
| ions in the same Ohdurate manner. The con-
sequence of which frequently was, that uncle
and niece had argued themselves into q mutu
al bitterness Of feeling, without altering each
others opinions one jOt But Professor Fra
Fer could not restrain himself on this occasion
Of all others.
"Thcn, Margaret, you will just quietly set.
tic down to bea bcggar, fer that lad Brown
has little or no money to think Of marrying
upon: you that might be my Lady Kennedy
IL you would"
~ could not, uncle"
"Nonsensc, child. Sir Alexander is per.
Sonablc and agreeable man, middle aged, IL
you will-wcll, wiful woman maun have her
way but If | had a notion that youngster was
Sncaking into my house to cajOlc you into fan
cying him, would have seen him far enough
before had ever let your aunt invite him Ia
dinner. Aye you may mnttrr; but say no
gentleman would ever have come into my
house to scducc my niccr'S affections without
first informing me ofhis intcntions and ask,
ing my leave"
"Doctor Brown is a gentleman. Uncle Fra
ger. whatever you may think Of him."
$50 you think-sO you think. But who
cares for the opinion Of love.sick girl? lie
is a handsome, plausible young fellow, of good
address. And don't mean to deny his abil
ity. lIut there is something about him new
cr did like, and now its accounted for. And
Sir Alexander Well, well! your aunt will
bc disappointed in you, Margaret. But you
were aIwaySa hCadstrong girl. Has this Jamie
Brown ever told you who or what his parents
were, or where nc comes from? l don't nsk
about his fOrbeArs, for he does not look like q
lad who has ever had ancestors; and you a
Frazer Of Lovat! Fic. for shame, Margaret
Who is this Jamie Brown!"
"IIe is James Brown, Doctor OF Medicine Of
the University Of Edinburgh: goo,l, clever
young man, whom | love with my whole
heart" replied Margaret, rcddening.
loot is that the way for n maiden to
speakI Where does he come from? Who
are his kinStOlk? Unless he can give pretty
good account Of his family and prospects,
shall just bid him brgone, Margaret, and that
| tell you fairly"
"Cncle," her eyes were filling with hot
indignant tears, " AIN Of age you know he
is good and clever; else why have you had
him 10 often to your house? | marry him
not his kinsfOlk. lie is an orphan. doubt
IL be has any relations thnt he keeps up with
lie has no brothers nor sisters. ] don't cart
where he comes from"
"What was his fathcrS" asked Professor
Frazer, coldly.
al don't know. Why should I go pryinl
into every particular Of his family, and asking
who his father Was, and what was the maidcr
name Of his mother, and wh,n his grand
mother was married"
"Yet I think have heard Miss Margare
Frazer speak up pretty strongly in favor Of q
long line Of unSTI0ttcd ancestry"
Z" had forgotten our own, | suppose, whcr
I spoke so. Simon Lord Lovat is n crcditahl'
great uncle to the Frazers. II all the tales b,
true, he ought 10 have been hanged for felOn
instead Of bcheaded like loyal gentleman"
"Oh! ifyou'rc determined to foul your owl
nest, have dOn& Let James Brown com,
condcsccnding TO marry n Frazer"
"Uncle," said Margaret, now fairly crying
20 don't let us part in anger. We love each
other in our hearts. You have been good t.
me, and 30 has my aunt. But have givcI
thy word to doctor Brown, aud must keel
it should love him IL he was the son Of
plOwman. We don't expect to be rich bu
he has few hundreds to start with, and
have my own hundred a-year-"
"Well, well, child, don't cry. You hav,
settled II all for yourself, it seems; so wasl
my hands Of it. shake oft all responsibility
You will tell your aunt what arrangement
you make with Doctor Brown about you
marriage, and l will do what you wish in tn
matter. But don't send the young man in t
d ask my consent. neither give It nor with
hold il. 1t would have been different II it ha,
been Sir Alexander"
"Oh! Uncle Frazer, don't speak So Sc
DR.. Brown, at any ratc-for my sakc--tel
him you consent. Let me belong to you tina
much. 1t seems SO deROlate at such time +
have to dispose Of myself as il nobody ownc'
or cared for me"
The door was thrown open, and DOctO
James Brown was announced. Margare
hastened away; and, before he was aware
the Professor had given a sort Of consent
) without asking Question Of The happy younI
man, who hurried away to seek his bvtrOthcd
leaving her uncle tiditcring to himself
Both Doctor aud Mrs. Frazer were q
strongly opposed TO MargArets engagement, il
reality, that they could not help showing
by manner and Implication; although the.
had the grace 70 keep silent But Margarr
felt even moro kcenly than her lover, that b
was not welcome 70 tho house. Her pleasur
in seeing him was destroyed by her sense @
the cold welcome that hC received and sh
willingly yielded 20 his desire Of short en-
gagement; which was contrary to their orig
inal plan Of waiting until he should be settle
|. in practice in LondON, and should see his wa
clear to such an income rs should render thei
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