Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-09-07

oblivious of self, as an aot of charity to one of
the universal brotherhood, he can, and does
overcome bis rspugnanoe, and magnsnimously
proposes this walk to Lila, in most formal
terms.
With the most commendable spirit of rssig-
nation, and as If yielding to q relentless but
| inevitsble fate, Lila aoquiesces.
Rebecca, having been quietly ignored BY
these two exalted spirits, Is left alone, either
to pray for her friends success, or to plot q
woman's revenge, as she may be disposed.
Three days of uninterrupted walks and
talks, gave the preacher an opportunity of
presenting many moral reflections, calculated
greatly to edify Lila. He was sententiousl
indeed sublime, yet, for all this, in order to
make his moral maxims more salutary, he
would occasionally allow himself consider
| able latitude Of sentimental compliment
These. at least, were carefully treasured
and falling upon good soil, took root-being
perfectly appreciated by the wicked Lila
Then she would, with an amazing zest of en-
Joyment, oOnfde their confidential repetition
to the smiable guardianship of Rebecos, whom
they did not 30 excessively amuse.
But 1T 80 happened that just about the time
Lila was entirely hopeful and sanguine with
regard to her success, her Lresence was re-
CURED at home, In consequence Of the slight
illness OF her grandmother, who suffered an
1ntolerable enrnt in the absence Of 80 beloved
| child. Lila was true and devoted to her
grandparents, and did not hesitate when she
received the message. Her flial love COM
Pelled her at once to return home. In leav-
Ing, she enjoined il upon Rebecca to take in
charge the welfare Of Mr. Dumbarton, and
above all, to take good care that he should not
forget her. And so 1t was, that when Mr..
Dumbarton must inevitably have been con-
.A'' saf''s;
Soon after this catastrophe, my heroine left
her native town to visit an aunt. Separated
from Rebecca, the ardor of their friendship
seemed rather to strengthen than decrease.
they wrote each other incessantly-the most
fearfully minute letters, crossed and recrossed
nothing was omitted, and much was amplifed
and commented on that might as we'll have
remained obscure. Real school girls letters
l must laugh as recall them. What fights
OF rhetoric what sublimity Of incident what
lntensihcation Of feeling they depicted
One morning Lila did not receive the ex-
pected communication from Rebecca, but how
great and joyful was her agitation, when let
ter was handed to her in Nm unknown chirog-
raphy-having strange and cramped look,
which was In itself delightful perplexity:
But oh, charm Of charms, 1t is-it is an offer
OF marriage from the young parson. She had
indeed, made the desired impression, and in
spite of his triple armor of formality, moral
lty, and spirituality, behold him a lover
Signing, complying, dying, quite like any or
binary mortal.
Delicious! prodigious. charming. alarm
ing. truly, its most entrancing," sings Lila,
laughing and dancing; But what says he
and read 1t DER and s'er; this letter adore
Not that care to win his heart, not pin, do
/ value him. Yet, Just to say NO, to a young
Parson beau; and to fnd in black and white,
that he holds me In such light-oh, it's the
best OF all my life, to be asked te be a clergy
AMI rwfE M N
to tho old maids, one and all, don't you wish
you conld, like me, be wise and good, and be
thought ut to preside, without the least pride,
over congregation Of any denomination ?
This is true apotheosis, q ravishing meta
morphOsis-I must read it to my aunt, this
precious good mans cant; and to Rebeooa
must write, how I've become q goodly light.
But what writes he again let me seeh And
this is the letter:
Mass LiLta: Profound and indelible las
successive months of separation only prove to
me mere clearly is the impression produced
upon me by your many charms of mind, heart,
ana manner. Since we parted. have been
settled over a small congregation; and now
ind myself not only occupied, but immersed,
in the diligent care of souls committed TO my
charge. Yet such is the lamentsble weakness
OF human nature, even when devoting its high
est energies to the most sacred calling, that
find my life, uncheered by your appreciative
cOmpanionship, a mere desert waste Your
lovely and mild image necessarily haunts nv
memory-and when reflect upon the angelic
dOcility with which you received the maIims
Of wisdom l sought to teach you, even as con-
nected with the enjoyment of the beauties of
creation, / feel that it becomes q duty owe
to you, to develop and direct 30 gentle and
Christian nature. am a man of few words,
but of deep emotions-therefore, without a
greater amplitude Of protestation, or the in
dulgence Of any vain or foolish expressions,
which might only serve to offend your good
sense-I ask you, in sober truth and brevity,
will you, Miss Lila, become nay wifs7
With sentiments Of affection and respect,
your sincere admirer, b. DUHBARros.
Lila lost no time in composing the follow
| Ing reply:
Mach respected SIR With extreme surprise
have read your communication proffsring to
me, IN earnest terms, the highest compliment
1t Is In the power Of man to bestov upon any
woman. respond to your letter with the
same clearness and conciseness with which il
is written-I totH nor become your wife; and
make this positive declaration to you with
the less hesitation, because I am fully per-
| suaded that your soul is 90 well tempered BY
moral maxims, and fortified with Christian
resignation, that you are proof against all
those vicissitudes and reverses which over
uhelm ordinary and unrefecting mortals.
Believe me, reverend sir, your very and ex-
tEeueiy OoiSco irlenu, LILA 60LDISG.
This consider to the full extent as state
ly as his reverence could have framed it; in
| deed, somewhat Of his own sanctimonious spirit
has peryaded me, said Lilis, folding her pre-
| dustion, with q subdued but infinite satisfao-
ton. Yet, wait yes, must COPY this very
| Instructive correspondenoe-t this model for
sontemplative lovers, and send il to Rebecca,
then my satisfaction will be entire"
| Soon did Lilis's swift and nervous fingers
finish this task. She added few fitting OBJ
servations TO Rebeoca, counselling her, In fu-
ture, to rely with greater Difference, upon %
approved and mature judgment ss hers.
Several weeks elapsed, in which Lila, not
hearing from Rebecoa, remained wondsringly
impatient as to the cause of her silence. When
| at last the desired letter came II brought with
| IL food Of light, more startling than grateful
/ to the gratifed coquette. Rebecca wrote:
| Dear Lila: Forgive me, II you can, an
irresistible love Of the oomical. I have been
travelling in Virginia with my father, and we
made visit to the pleasant town where Mr.
Dumbarton 10 the loved pastor of Presby-
terrain congregation. While there, this gentle
man made me declaration of affection, and
have promised to marry him. But previous to
imparting to you this arrangement, I thought