The Van Buren press., 1861-10-16
Mgistella,lg.
Pride and Principle.
BY D. SIMEON BARRETT.

BY D. SIMEON BARRETT.
1 was returning home after an absence of
eight years, returning to the home of my
childhood. The numbering coach that bore
me rapidly along. was already entering the
village where was born, where 1 had the
first important principles of an education.
where l had sported many happy child
hoods hour and where | had first learned
to love.
Yes, TO love the nrettiest, merriest, and
proudest maiden in all the village mot
wisely, but too WELL She rejected my
suit-she had higher aspirations. 1t was
true she liked me very well-it might be,
loved mel was not rich, and she was
proud and naughty, as well as beautiful
Yet she was, indeed, kind and charitable !;
size did not reject my offer disdainfully, but
seemed to stldy some method by which her
irrevocable reply might give me no pain
l did not question her motive. l knew
them too well, and then and there, l resolv
ed, that if health should be spared me, l
would depart at once from my native vii
age, and some day return wealthy man
not again to urge my suit, not even to
claim her as friend or acquaintance, unless
it should be her express desire, for l too
had proud spirit. and could never conde-
scend to plead with q woman.
All these thoughts passed rapidly through
my mind, as neared my fathers cottage
and l rejoiced to think that, in part, my
purpose had been accomplished l was
rich-rich even beyond the fastidious ae-
quirements of Isabel Hayne, richer than
her father had ever been, and yet my stern
resolve had seen no change.
l met my father, now silver-hai with
age. My mother had been laying in her
narrow, silent home for nearly two years.
My sister, my only sister, whom l fondly
hoped to meet, was married, and had gone
to distant place to dwell. The spirit OF
change had breathed upon every dear and
familiar object. The houses, the fences
were mouldering away. met the COM
panions Of my youth, who welcomed me
back with smiles which seemed the distor-
ted mockery OF the smiles that lit up their
happy faces in my boyhood's days. They
were growing old.
Yet some seemed apparently no older
than when had seen them eight years be-
fore.
did not meet Miss Hayne. nor did
even inquire about her. She had probably
gone away, or what was quite as probable
her father might have become SO wealthy
that she no longer moved in the village So
ciety. Perhaps she was married, and was
living in some other place. What was she
to me that l should spend thought in
speculation as to the cause of her invisible
ity? And yet could not efface her i'm
age from my mind. If ever, in distant
| lhnds l had succeeded in my efforts to ban.
ish her from my memory, could not do
so now. The associations of home and
familiar scenes, brought back the recollec-
tioas of happy days-aud her name, he,
form, just as she appeared to me then, was
iniispensably necessary to complete the
picture which fancy painted me.
There was q social gathering at friend s
but she was not there. Why should look
SO anxiously about, hoping, and yet fear
ing to encounter her beautiful face? Why
could l not forget her at once and forever I
Some mentioned her name. " Why was
she not there 2"
She does not go now, since their mis-
fortune"
What pity Poor Hayne They
say that she supports him by teaching fe-
male school,
Yes. she is engaged ia the district Just
beyond the village. 1t will be . very se-
we're and humiliating lesson to her she was
very proud"
must confess was interested, and de-
sired to know more, much more, but ask
ed no questions. 1 could not forget the
past.
Not long after this / learned that the
Hayne estate. which had passed into the
hands of some Eastern Spectator, was
again for sale. I purchased it, having no
definite purpose in view, unless it was the
| thought that it would make . comfortable
residence for my father in his declining
years. since his own cottage was fas. going
to decay. at once set about repairing the
large mansion on the Hsyne farn, for that
too had felt the mouldering touch of time.
and for that purpose frequently drove ont
to watch and direct tbs operstions Of the
the laborers.
Twas was one day driving leisurely along
when espied 1t some distance before me
aa old man. bent with age. and grouping
his tedious way along the road. Presently
he sat down by tho roadside to rest, and
when ! came up. I offered him : sat in she
buggy.
:. Never mind, = said b. sit is onl,
little way that ihass to 50. just to yoader