The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-05-11
Father and Son;
OR,
HOW RALPH LEIGHTON WON
HIS BRIDE.
by EMMA JANE FORREST.

MI. EDWARD leighton was an eX.
ceedingly proud, irritable, and wealth,
gentleman. He was very eccentric
man, and n widower with one child
Ralph, n promising son of twenty-five
and although he loved his only
child, he regarded him as though he
was boy, and considered it Ralph
duty to obey him in every respect.
Ralph Leighton was gay, hand
GONE, talkative young man, and an es-
pecia favonte of the fir sex of the
circles If society in which he moved.
He was considered by them very
charming and agreeable companion,
beside being good-looking young
gentleman, and prospective of a
large fortune, and numerous fashion
able bellies and ballroom beauties had
"set their caps for him, and enter
tanned great hopes Of ensnanng him
with their pretty speeches and hat-
teries, and fictitious beauty; but
Ralph's love was bestowed upon q
poor but matchlessly beautiful girl,
seventeen years of age, named Alice
Wayne, who was the only child of a
respectable widowed lady.
Mrs. Wayne acted as housekeeper
in Mr.. Leighton's magnificent house,
while her lovely and gentle daughter,
Alice, labored as seamstress, and did
light homework in the family.
Mr. Wayne had been rich man,
and his only daughter had been reared
taplarl, aud H.. t,I Let ,,,,l $780,.
her every luxury that riches could
command. When Alice was fifteen
her father had suddenly failed, and
became insolyent. He slowly but
surely declined after this event, and
about year subsequently t. his fail
ure, Alice was iatherless, and Mrs.
Wayne was compelled to maintain
herself.
Ahce was mild, sweet-tempered
girl, with liquid brown eyes, long,
wayey hair of The same soft hue, and
a complexion rs fair as the lily. Her
disposition was meek and LOVING, and
everybody who knew her could not
help esteeming her. She had been
an inmate OF Mr. Leighton's home for
nearly year, and during that time
an ardent attachment had sprungI up
III the heart Of Ralph Tor the young
pure-minded seanlstress, and 1t grew
stronger when he declared his love,
and found that she reciprocated his
attachment.
One bright, pleasant morning, as
Alice was seated III her own room,
employing her time upon n piece of
pialn needlework, which was her dal-
~ occupation, her lover came into the
room, and, throwing himself Ian
guidly upon a. lounge before her. he
said:
Il have come TO the conclusion,
Alice, that it is best to tell my father
ali, and ask him to give his consent to
our union. What do you think, love p
"That is the best thing you can do,
Ralph; bat | AIN afraid he will not
give bis consent, replied Alice, slowly
shaking her head, and looking steadI-
~ into her lovers face
"Well, if he wIthholds it or not, |
shall marry you" exclaimed Ralph.
determInediy.
"Oh, Ralph, l dare not become
your wife without your father sane
tons our marriage, sand Alice, tremb
hngly.
You must, Alice, returned Ralph,
seriously. Il viii so, he continued,
after pause OF few moments, land
speak to my father about 1t now.
Aud he arose and left the room, and
sought his parent in the library
well, father he SAID, as he en-
tered, and closed the door, Il have
come here to speak to you on serious
subject
Mir. Leighton looked up inquiringly
at his son, but remained silent.
At length Ralph mustered up cour-
age, and said, boldly;
II love Alice Wayne, and l want
YOU to give your consent to our
union.
"You love a seamstress--a servant 2"
asked Mr.. Leighton, incredulously.
Yes, father" returned Ralph, ner-
viously.
THAT is good joke boy"
1T is no joke, father" reple ed
Ralph, seriously. Il love her, and
intend to make her my wife"
"You are very foolish, my son, to
think of marrying person SO beneath
you in life as Alice Wayne is. She
would not suit you at all. You should
marry an accomplished and fashiona-
BILE lady.
Those butterflies of fashion do not
suit my taste, replied Ralph, a smile
of scorn curling his lips.
"Well, my son, you shall never
marry mental, if l possess the means
to prevent mesaiiiance," said Mr.
Leighton, sternly and decidedly.
"Now, with me it is entirely different.
| am a man well advanced in years,
and need a gentle, motherly sort of Il
woman for my wife. Now, | have
taken a great fancy to Alice, and, more
than that intend to marry her."
You marry Alice| exclaimed
Ralnh. and unable to restrain him-