Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-01-21

pine did not, as they ever snoulu ao, 70
hand a hand; and for want Of this dis
cipliue, Frederick grew up with passions
uncontrolled-with n will unsubdued.-
He received finished education, and his !
mind, which was of high order, was
richly stored with knowledge. His pride
Of character was great, and he looked
down with contempt on all that was DIS
honorable or vicious. He had chival-
rous generosity. and frankness OF DIS
position that led him to detest conceal
ment or deceit. lie loved or hated with
his whole soul. In person he was ele-
giant: his countenancc was marked with
intellect and strong feeling; aud he had
The bearing of prince. Such was Fred
erick Westbury ut tue age Of four and
twenty. --..a
About q year before his marriage,
Frederick became acquainted with Mary
EMon, a young lady of great beauty OF
person, and fascination Of manner, who
at once enslaved his affections. Bat
against Miss Eldon, Judge Westhury had
conceived {, prejudice, and for once in
MS life, WAS obstinate in refusing TO in
duleo bis son in the wish of his heart
He fore,aw, or thought he did so, the ut
ter ruin of his sons happiness, should
be so ally himself. He had selected
wife for his son, u daughter in law for
himself, more to his own taste. Juia
Horton, was possessed Of all that he
thought valuable or fascinating IN woman.
Possibly Frank might have thought SO
too, had he known her ere his heart WIS
in possession Of another; but beng
pointed out to him as one to whom he
must offer his affections, he looked on
her with aversion, as the chief obstacle
TO the realization to his wishes. julia
was born and had been educated IN Il
place remote from Judge WestOury s
residence; but from her infancy he had
seen her from time to tine, rs business
led him to that place, ard he q looked
upon her as the future wiie-o his son.
His views and wishes were, however,
strictly confined to his own breast, until,
to his dismay, lie found that his sons at
fections were entanglod. This discovery
was no sooner made, than he wrote q
pressing letter to Julia, who was an or
phan, to come and make him Il visit for
n few weeks. The reason he gave for
inviting her was, that his health was ra-
pidly declining, (which WIS indeed too
true, aud he felt that her society would
BIO solace to his heart julia came
she saw Frederick; heard his enli9hten
ed conversation; observed his polished
manners; remarked tho lofty tone Of
feelings; and giving the reins to her
fancy, without consulting reason or pru-
dence-she loved him. Too late for her
security, but too soon for her peace, she
/ learned that he loved another. Dread
ing lest she should betray her folly to
the object of her unsought affection, she
wished Immediately to return to their ma
tive place. But to this Judge Westbury
would not listen. He soon discovered
tne state of her feelings, and it gave to
him unming'el satisfaction. 1t argued
we'll for h success Of his dearest earthly
hope; and his strength was rapidly de
cliniug, consumption having fastened it:
deadly fangs upon him, TO hasten him &c
: the grave; he gave his whole mind It
the accomplishment of his design. a
first his son listened to the subject witt
disguised impotence; but his feelings
softenod as ho saw his father sinking tc
to the tomb, and in an unguarded hour
he promised him that lie would make
Julia his wife. Judge Wcstbury mex
exerted himself to obtain promise from
Julia that she would accept the hand o
his son; and he rested not until they haC
mutually plighted their faith by his bed
side. 70 Frederick this was momen
of unmingled misery, Ho saw that biz
father was diving, and felt himself con
strained to promise his hand to one wo
man, while his heart was in possession
of another.
Julias emotions were Of the most con
fiicting character. To be the phghtet
bride Of the man she loved, made hel
heart throb with JOY, and her faith in hei
fathers assurance that she would win hi:
affections, sustained her hope that his
prediction would be verified. Yet when
She marked the c0untcnanee of her fu
ture husband, her heart sunk within her
She could mol persuade herself iuto Tho
belief, that its unmingled gloom arose
solely from grief at the approaching
death Of his father. She felt that he
was making sacrifice OF his fondes
wishes at the shrine Of fi!inl duty.
Judge Westbury died; and in almost
his parting breath, he pronounced z
blessing upon Julia, his daughtc-the
wife Of his son--most solemuIy repeat.
ing his siction that sic would soon
secure the heart of her husband
Immediately on TIE decease of hel
friend and father, Julia returned home
and in three months Frederick followed
her to fulfil his promise.
He was wretched, and would have
given the world, had he possessed it. to
be free from his engagement. But that
could never be. His word had beer
given to his father and must be religious
" redeemed. 81 will make her my
wife," thought he; 81 promised my
father that would. Thank heaven,
never promised that | would love her y