Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-03-09
aSlisrtllaMeuMs.
THE SACRIFICE.
ny JOSEPH Il. CHANDLER.

qucncc in the eyes of young men more than
one Of whom made an offer, Of name and hand
including, of course, for the present, at least
har. also And it was evident that one Of
the many found his hopes strengthened by the
good wishes of the parents, and not reprcssed
by any particular collness of the object Of de-
voton.
Mr. Tudor, Of respectable connection in the
east, and far standing in this city, demanded
of tie mother of Amelia permission to adil ess
the daughter; aud having received the sane
ton which he claimed, it was expected by the
parents that Amelia would communicate TO
them the proposition which she should re-
cevc She was silent, and when subsc-
queptly addressed, evadcd the subject, and
yet continued to treat MIR. Tudor with as
much courtesy, at loast aa the most favored
visitors at the house could boast
MY daughter" said Mrs. Wilberson to
Amelia one day, rs they sat in the chamber
of the former" not only do you appear to
treat Mr. Tudor with reserve unbccoming the
position in which he has placed himself in our
family, but am fearful that you are acquir-
inc Hith him and with others name not de-
sirabe to one so frank and candid as you
have generally been"
But morher, respectfully but promptly
declined the offer of Mr.. Tudor
Promptly, my child, but not decidedly
too promptly to give the appearance of
having well considered the offer, and yet not
with the circumstances and decision that for
bid hope from perseverance -
"Shall [ to-day, mother, give him the
answer verbally, or BY letter."
" Not by any means, my child, unles. he
has to-day renewed his offer to you"
:. He has not. !,opo he will not
You don't like him. then q
1T is impossible to dislike Mr.. Tudor for
any qualities which he possesses, said Amelia
somewhat hestatingly.
&" Is it, then, Amclia. as have reason to
suspect--to j}icce, rather let me say. for sts
picion is not the word 70 use toward you-fs
it that you cannot like Mr. Tndoi on occonft
Of qualities in another person Z"
Amelia made no reply. -,
THIN, my child, you lovo Henry VII
der"
" Mother, could love him without his
avowal of affection for me ~
=. Your own heart VIII telf you that, Amc-
LA. Has ilr. Wilder offered himself to you!'
" Never, never, mother"
1T is strange" said Mrs. Wilbcrson,
'' that neither your father nor have seen
this"
But it was not strange neither father nor
mother looked on to see what was going fDr-
ward in the active scene, where the young
and innocent heart of their child was open to
every impression. They heard her narrative
ofthe days conversation and evening an,ise-
ment but where there is neither coquetcry
nor artfcc: the young fe'na'c has no confer
onoe with even mother upon that strange
confusion with which her heart is agitated as
it begins to love.
g Does Mr.. Wilder lore you, Amelia Z"
g | think he does"
"Why, then, has nc not avowcd it?"
" Perhaps the difference between his posi-
ton and that of fathers is the cause"
But, Amelia his position is as good now
as was four fathers at His age"
. That may be true, mother, but he is
very proud, you know-and very. very bash
full" added Amelia. blushing deeply.
" Amelia said Mrs. Wilberson, Il have
received from Mr.. Tudor direct offer for
your hand. He thinks he is acceptable, and
he knows, he says, that he can make you
happy. He has boen constantly in company
with Wilder, and seems never to have sus-
pected an attachment between you too nay he
has even made a confidant in part of Mr.. Will
der. lie presses his suit with great earnest
ness, and will look for a reply from me this af
ternoon."
Amelia turned pale at the proposition, and
yet was not wholly regretful. No woman
ever reccivsd such an offer from respectable
man without sense of pleasure, ofgratitude,
ndeed-self-love is gratiied, even thought
the love of another is for moment disturbed.
Mrs Wilberson pressed the suit of her
client with the earnestness of a patron, and
vet witllcut the authority of a parent. She
set forth the advantages Of the match and the
profitable comforts which it would ems lure :;
while she gently limited, to alarm the pride
of her daughter, that it would be source Of
modification to her to find that she had re-
fused SO desirable an offer for the sake of con-
stancv to man who had never announced
his intentions, or even his wishes to her, and
might, for aught she knew. fulfill a marriage
o6 sagement with some other lady before the
month was out.
Amelia was distressed, and having made
some reply to her mother, asked time to con-
slider the proposition. 9 Let me" said she,
" have one week in which TO make up my
mind