The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-05-25
Not Good Enough for Her.

In the days of the good colony of Vir.
ginia, the distinctions between rich and poor
were based upon laws which, like those OF
the Modes and Persians, altered not. One
of the most devout followers of this code
was q wealthy planter, living in what is
known as the Northern Neck. He was in
all other respects frank, open hearted,
manly gentleman 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
uniuportant feature with him. He had our
human weakness, and, like all of us, was
influenced more than he even believed by
pounds, shillings and pence.
This Mr.. Chad quite large family,
and among them was daughter whose
beauty was the standing toast Of the coun
try. She YVES just eighteen, and budding
into lovely womanhood. Not only was she
beautiful in person, but her amiabe dispo
sition and many accomplishments made her
more than ordinarily attractive, and half
the gentlemen of the Northern Neck were
already signing for her love.
There was in the country at this time n
young man who was already rising high in
The esteem of his neighbors. He came of a
good family, but was, as yet, poor young
surveyor, who had taught himself his pro
iession, and who had spent much Of his
time in traversng unknown forests, with
nothing but his compass Tor his guide, and
his chain for his companion, locating lands.
and settling disputed titles. He was model
of manly beauty, and excelled in all the va
ried reats of strength in which the oldcn
time Americans took such pride. He was
calm and reserved, and there was about him
a dgniGel sweetness Of demeanor that ac
corded we'll with his frank independence of
character. He was great lavOrite 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
insisted that the latter should abandon all
ceremony in his visits to him, and come and
90 when he pleased. The invitation was
heartily given, and as promptly accepted
The young man liked the planter, and he
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 unrcserved intercourse with
their daughter. The father only laughed at
the idea, and said he hoped his daughter
knew her position too well to allow anything
like love for poor surveyor to blind her to
her duty to her family.
q Nevertheless Mary G-- 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 arstocratic suitors; and, almost before
she knew it, her heart passed out of her
keeping, and was given to him. She loved
him with all the honesty and devotion of her
t.uro heart and she would have thought it
4 happiness to go out with him into the back
woods and share his fatignes 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 rs binding the distinctions which
society drew between his position and that
Of the lady lie knew that in all that makes
man, in integrity and honesty of purpose,
he was the equal of any one. He believed
that, except in wealth, he stood upon per.
feet equality with Mary -, and he loved
her honestly and maniully, and no sooner
had he satisfied himself upon the. State of
his own feelings than he confessed his de
vstion, simply and truthfully, and received
from the lady's lips the assurance that she
loved him very dearly.
Scoring to occupy doubtful position,
or to cause the lady to conceal aught from
her parents, the young man frankly and
inaniully asked Mr.. c. for his daughters
hand. Very angry grew the planter as he
listened to the audacious proposal. He
stormed and swore furiously, and denounced
the young man as an ungrateiul and nso-
lent upstart.'
g Ny daughter has always been accustom.
ed to riding in her own carriage" he said.
"Who are you, sir?'
ga gentleman, SIR replied the young
man, quietly; and he left the house.
The lovers were parted. The lady mar.
rled soon after wealthy planter, aud the
Young man went ont hgain into the world to