Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-09-10
MISCELLANEOUS.
Not Good Enough for Her.

In the days of tho good colony of Virginia,
the distinctions between rich and poor were
based upon laws which, like those of the
Medes and Persians, altered not. One of
the most devOut followers Of this code was
wealthy planter, living in what is known as
the Northern Neck. He was in all other
respects frank, open hearted manly gentle
man but his estimate of his fellow men was
founded upon the principles that governed
his selection of his horses-blood. Wealth,
too, was by no means an unimportant feature
with him. He had our human weakness,
and, like all of US, was Influenced more than
he even believed by pounds, shilIings and
pence.
This Mr.. c. had quite large family,
and among them was n daughter whose beau
ty was the standing toast of the country. She
was just eighteen, and budding into lovely
womanhood. Not only was she beautiful in
person, but her amiable disposition and many
accomplishments made her more than ordina-
rily attractive, and half the gentlemen of the
Northern Neck were already sighing for her
love.
There was in the country at this time
young man who was already rising high in
the esteem of his neighbors. He came of n
good family, but was, as yet, a poor young
surveyor, who had taught himself his pro-
fession, and who had spent much of his time
in traversing unknown forests, with nothing
but his compass for his guide, and his chain
for his companion. locating lands aud settling
disputed titles. He was a model of manly
beauty, and excelled in all the varied feats of
strength in which the olden time Americans
took such pride. He was calm and reserved
and there was about him a dignifed sweet
ness of demeanor that accorded well with his
frank independence of character He was a
great favorite with all who knew him, and
there was no gathering to which he was not
asked.
Mr.. C. seemed especially to like the
young man, and it was not long before he in
sisted that the latter should abandon all GER
emOny in his visits to him, and come and go
when he pleased. The invitation was hearth
ly given, and as promptly accepted. The
young man liked the planter, and he found
the society of the beautiful Mary c. a
very strong attraction. The result was that
he was frequently at the planters residence /;
so frequently, indeed, that Mrs. c. felt
called upon to ask her husband if he did not
think it wrong to permit him to enjoy such
unreserved intercourse with his daughter
The father only laughed at the idea, and said
he hoped his daughter knew her position too
Wen 10 aIlOW aD1luI0S IIAe IOSS IOT poor
surveyor to blind her to her duty to her fam
lily.
Nevertheless Mary c. was not so fully
impressed with this conviction of duty as was
her father. She found more to admire in the
poor surveyor than in all her wealthy and
aristocratic suitors; and, almost before she
knew 1t, her heart passed out of her keeping,
and was given to him. She loved him with
all the honesty and devotion Of her pure
heart and she would have though. it hap
piness to 60 out with him into the backwoods
and share his fatigues and troubles, no matter
how much sorrow they might bring to her.
Nor did she love in vain. The young man.
whose knowledge Of the world was afterwards
so great, had not then learned to consider as
binding the distinctions which society drew
between his position and that of the lady.-
He knew that in all that makes a man, IN in.
tegrity and honesty of purpose, he was equal
to any one. He believed that, except in
wealth he stood upon perfect equality with
Mary c., and he loved her honestly and
manfully, and no sooner had he satisfied him.
self upon the state of his own feeling than be