The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-03-01
Too Poor to Marry.
A STORY OF AMERICAN DOMESTIC LIFE.

The young Charles Keller, of good family
and highly educated, had commission as
captain. His daring courage, his cultivated
mind, his pleasing talents, and a character
remarkable for its frankness, height tened the
effect of his distinguished appearance.
Charles had fallen passionately in love
with a young person, whose beauty had be-
come standard in the first society. Her
name was Cecilia Barton, the only daughter
of noted banker. The captain, by his as
siduity, his manner and his word, soon re-
vealed to the young lady the violence of a
passion which he could not hide even from
the world
"Mr. Keller" said she to him in that
graceful manner which heightened her peer
less beanty, 81 have penetrated the secret of
your sentiments towards me. should be
proud and happy to have awakened them
for if you love me as [ am told yen do, | feel
that it would be difficult for me to hate you 4;
but our destinies can never be united--you
are too poor for me- " ... u
''Too poor, Miss Barton!" answered the
Captain, astonished that such reproach
should be uttered by such lips. 'Tco poor ~
repeated he; 81 was far from expecting n
dismissal expressed in so laconic manner.
thought that in love matters
"Oh do not let us have anything of a
sentimental order, Captain, interrupted Ce-
ella, laughing; 81 do not like it," Then
resuming her seriousness, "Yes, Captain"
added she, "you are much too poor for me-
like luxury, gayeties, and handsome
clothes. Could your love alone furnish me
with these trifles, which are necessaries to
me2 You adore me, you say. Well, then,
would it not be punishment renewed every
hour for You to see me deprived, by the force
of circumstances, of all that constitutes my
happiness? The rich pilgrim, you know
loves to decorate the saint which has pro-
tected, as he believes, his weary wanderings;
he loves to place costly offerings upon her
altar-.a cluster of diamonds or a necklace
of pearls are generally the proofs of his de-
votion; but, Captain, the pilgrim, when once
his vow is accomplished, leaves the altar, and
often returns no more. A wife, on the con-
trary, should be permanent idol, an immo-
vable saint, to whom must every day be
made new offerings. You could not do this,
Captain, and, repeat it, you would be un-
happy in consequence. Who knows that
tired out by my demands and weary with
my complaints, you would not end by hating
meW
"Oh never, Miss Barton p interrupted the
yaung man.
of you did not hate ME that might not
prevent my hating YeU," resumed Cecilia
81 hope you admire my frankness. The
Young girl of eighteen, who has appeared to
you up to this time model of simplicity.
sweetness, and some degree of beauty, would
be succeeded by the capricous, sullen wife !;
perhaps should even become flirt. Cap
tain, prefer to speak as | do, to keeping up
in your mind dangerous illusions, which
would make their final dispersion more
frightful to both Of us, and would embtter
days of which, while free, each of us can
make good use-you in continuing to serve
your country; I by giving myself up to the
Whirl Of gayety, which pleases and makes
me happy"
Charles Keller had nothing to expect by
inheritance, for his father, long since dead,
had willea all his property to his second
wife, to whom Charles was an object Of aver
sion.
"My love is not egotistical, Miss Barton,
replied Charles. "Alasl l see it too late.
am, indeed, TOO POOR for you; but while
abandon the hope of ever calling you mine.
do you not permit me at least to consider my
self your most devoted and respectful
friend?"
sMy most ESTEEMED friend, Captain Tel
ler," answered Cecilia, extending to him a
little hand covered with glove of perfumed
kid.
Some months after this conversation, Ce-
ella Barton married one of the richest mer-
chants in New York, and Captain Keller
whom the peace which reigned in America
prevented from going to the field of battle
to be killed, (for he would have gloried in
dying for Cecilia's sake,) now repaired te
visit an inirm and crippled uncle, who
sent for his nephew to soothe his declining
days. Gat
Some years passed, the uncle of Charles
Keller expired, leaving his nephew the heil
To millions. His step-mother died of a feye,
of the most malignant description, which at
tackled her while in o city distant from hel