The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-12-18
AN ELIGIBLE MATCH.
BY "ToM FRANK y

world are apt 10 lend the subject of malri-
mony that serious consideration to which il
is entitled. We read with indignation, in
the page of romance, of the cruel tyranny
exercised by parents over their children in
this relation, and sincerely do we depreci-
ale for the moment that selfish and avarice
spirit which would lead a father TO sacrifice
the happiness of child on the altar OF
Mammon. But we are too apt to regard
snch matters as romance only, and to lose
sight of the fact that such things do actually
exist, and that such events are transporting
every day around US. II is not in the lower
and middling classes that we are 10 look
for the full extent of speculation in hvme
nial matters though the spirit, more or less
pervades all grades OF society. II is among
the more wealthy families that the custom
oblains-with scarcely an exception-of
estimation the human character by dollars
and cents, and the following narrative,
which is strictly true, developes the pains
fnl effects of the unholy aud pernicious
custom.
In little town called Mere, in England,
there lived, some time ago, family of the
name of Darlington, consisting of four per-
sons, viz: Mr. John Dorrington, his lady,
and q son and daughter. Though quite
wealthy they did not spring from an aris-
locratic stock, Mr.. Dorrington having com.
menced life as tanner, from which pur>
suit, by strict economy and unliring indus
fftg fbor xr.ifh IF
had amassed large fortune. As generally
happens, however, in such cases, the &C
QUESTION OF wealth had entirely obliterated
from the memory of the tradesman the fact
that he had ever been dealer in hides ,and
he assumed an arrogance that would have
put 10 the plush the most arstocratic scion
OF the most pampered stock His children
were taught to look down upon their honest
neigh bors with feeling of superiority, aud
the son, John Darlington. Jr., was not slow
10 improve upon the lessons isguht him by
his purse proud parent, though the daugh-
ter was not so apl scholar in the school
OF vanity, and had the sudscily to regard
the virtuous bui poor people of Mere as
human beings. 10 ioyfnily exchanges greet
ings with them on meeting, and even occa-
sionally to visit them at their dwellings,
and to treat them in all respects as her
equals She was gay, joyous, good heart
ec girl, full OF love for all The world, "snd
the rest OF mankind" /" and could never nn-
dersiand why the mere possession of few
hundred pounds more or less should place
a barrier between the members OF one COM
mon famhy-strikine al the root of earthly
happiness by destroying every social and
kindly feeling. Her appearance fairly in
dicated her character There was none OF
that sickly sentimentality and ''interesting
paleness," which are too apt to be the COM
Panions OF young ladies belonging TO the
higher classes, apparent in her healthful
and frank features. Her eye was large,
blue, and exceedingly expressive, her hair
of sunny, golden hue, her complexion a
purs white and red, and her form rather
above the middle stature, well moulded,
round ard full, beiokening sanguine iem-
permanent, and disposition 10 correctly
appreciate and enjoy 10 The full The blessings
OF life. She was of an exceedingly volatile
disposition, and though one might be apt
to imagine from her ffee-almost rude-be-
haviour al times, that she lacked refine
meht somewhat, such was not the CASE
She was sensitive TO degree, and her feel
ings when wounded rendered her the SUBJ
ject of the most poignant anguish.
A. al
Laura Dorrington was about twenty years
of age. and though her parents had endeav-
ored by every means in their power to in
duce her to drop what they were pleased TO
term her "insufferable vuIgarity,D in order
that she might be fitted lo.embrace an "eli.
gble malch," she only laughed al their ex-
hortaiions, and declared that "she must
laugh heartily when she felt inclined, that
it was impossible for her to go al snaiI's
pace when she felt like running, and that
surely no gentleman would object to her
being a woman instead of an au,omaton." :"
She might have added that there were hun
dreds of sensible men who would not have
objected TO anything in her; had she been
hump-backed, lame and blind, her money
would have covered every defect, and she
would have seemed to them very angel
She had numbers of such suitors, but they
were not "eligible matches" and, OF course,
were not 10 be .houghi oil by her parents
Indeed, though not possessing decided
relish for the society of the opposite sex,
and as willing to ''commil mairimony,D as
most ardent young women of her age, Lau-
IA had not up 20 the time of her majority:
met with man among all her suitors, who
she thought, was calculated TO make her
happy, even although nothing stood in the
way of an alliance. There was but one