Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-03-30

sabbath her sweet face vas nOt seem in the meet-

Sabbath her sweet face was not seen in the meet
ing house on the hill.
0How is Martial" asked Reuben, one Sunday,
joining the-elder as he walked homsNands.
"Well, 1 don't know. Reuben," replied the old
man "Somehow, the girl don't seem 70 get
strength Come in, lad, and st awhile. Maybe
thy cheering talk WIN brighten up Martha"
''Nay, elder, don't think Martha cares for
my society. But, elder, l heard somsthing the
other day." and the young mans face grew
suffused with color-"I know thee will not
think me intrusive, Elder Grant.
NAY, lad, cut with it," replied the elder
"Is it anything concerning Martha!n f.l.a
"EIder Grant, l heard the other day about
that young man who asked Martha's hand of
thee. He is in our neigh ghborhood again; and he
told Friend Parker that he rad come once more
to seek the hand of the prettiest Quaker maiden
in Enfield They say heis wealthy man, and
worthy young man, too. Did'st tho1 never
think, elder, that Martha may have cared good
deal for hint" fla
"Nay, Reuben" and the old elders words
showed as much asperity as ever dared intrude
on the eqI able Qnaker's speech. whats got
into thee lad! I thought thou vast once suitor
for Martha's hand thyself, and this is strange
indeed, if thou hast taken up pleading the cause
of another man, and he outside of our sect. 1t
may be, after all, that Martha fancied the young
fellow, for confess he was a smooth-spoken,
gentIemanly man; but 1 thought the girl would
In time forget him, and l should yet call thee
sOn-in-law, Reuben" l-
A sudden light flashed in the young Quaker's
eye, and deeper color came upon his cheek
II this might be so .--if Martha might yet be
bis -s,Nl1s rDi11lslui il--s, HGi .-I t--
But Reuben Kane was not selfish; and mo-
fhonrn,hf fold| him haf fhaurh Marfhu.
might bestow her hand or him at her fathers
command, such an union could never prove
happy one. He knew Martha's nature, and
when this revelation of anothers love, which
he had Just then learned, came to him, ne knew
the reason of her pale cheeks and detected air.
Then noble resolve was born in the Quaker
youths heart. He would plead the strangers
cause with the stern elder; Martha's happiness
should be secured, and he would find his in the
consciousness of having performed the self sac
riieing act. L
"Nay, elder" he replied, 'Martha does not
love me in the least-0f that l am well assured;
and / would not, at the risk of wrecking her
happiness, ask her again to become my wife,
even if / knew she would answer yea
Rather would see her mated with this young
man tarrying over yonder at the village, aud
for whom have no doubt she is pining. May
be thou hast been too strict, elder"
What, Reuben Thou, Quaker lad, argu-
ing with me to consent that Martha may marry
one of the worlds people!" exclaimed the ell
der" .g--.5 ts
"He is worthy, and comes of good stock.
The Bentleys are good old family, and, after
all, Martha might be happier there in her city
home than pinIng here. She conld not control
her love, suppose, elder" replied Reuben,
calmly.
"Maybe-maybe, Reuben. And Martha has
always been good child-good as she is come.
w." and dash of pride was infused into the
elders tones; for, despite his preiudices against
"the worlds people," he could not but feel a
| little hattered that his child's beauty should
have attracted the admiration Of one whose
cause Reuben low stood pleading "A good
girl Martha has been, and perhaps she set more
by the young fellow than / thought. At any
rate, l want to secure her happiness, and,
though had set my mind ON having thee for a
son-in-law, Reuben, yet if thou art set upon
giving the girl up because thou art sure she
does not, nor cannot love thee, I'll have talk
with her. and also inquire into the character OF
this city youth, who 1 suppose will be hanging
round again. But walk in, lad; Martha is sit
ting by the window, and viii te glad tn sec
thee, doubt not"
"Nay, not tonight, elder, replied the young
man, from the garden gate, where he had lin
gered to talk this matter over ''Thee had bet
ter not defer thy conversation, but get lit
tie color into Martha's pale checks, if thou
canst," and glaneing towards the window where
the pale girl sat, he bade her father good even
ing and turn away.
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