The Portland daily press., 1867-12-07
Poetry.
The Love Romance of Benja-
min West.
From Harper's Magazine,

large village, the spacious old-fashioned man
sion of Mr.. Sheweil, which stood in one OF the
principal streets, was of the aristocratic Grass
OF dwellings. He was proud and nara man,
and thought much of the distinction OF ms
family, to say nothing Of his wea,Ih. AZ tne
time Of our narrative his sister Elizabeth, an |
orphan. was a member of his family, and de- |
pendent on him for support She was never |
a belIe in the brilliant circles of that period, |
for her beauty was of that soft and touching
kind which wins gradually upon the heart
rather than strikes the senses like that
Of the more dazzling order. She usually wore
her dark brown hair parted in waves over a
low white forehead, and her complexion was
OF that clear paleness which better interpfets
the varying phases of feeling th,n a more
brilliant color. Her eyes were dark gray. and
50 swallowed by thick and long lashes that
they seemed black in the imperfect light; her
small, rosy mouth had slight compression
OF the lips that betokened determination and
strength OF will. The superb curve of her
neck ana the rounding of her shoulders wouio
nave enchanted statuary. Fer nature, 100
SOIL and cllnging for the role OF leadership IN
society, had yet frmness that promised full
DEVELOPMENT whenever called into action
through her affections. trgnN gBl 3
She had already come into collision with
the iron will of her brother, and that in a
point which she could not yield. One after
noon there has been words between them,
such as should not pass between those so near
in blood. Mr.. Shewell angrily paced the
handsomely furnished parlor where the inter-
view nad taken place. His features were
marked by strength bordering on hardness,
and the heavy frown on his brow did not rem
der them more progressing. The young
girl was seated in an attitude of deep del
lection, and wiped away at intervals the tears
tnst stole silently down her cheeks. - ~
suddenly Mr.. Shewell stopped before her
and said, with sternness his efforts to speak
mildly could not overcome: aa -,
"Once for all, ask, Elizabeth, will you do
as wish?"
" cannot, brother" she answered, looking
up ntt|..
He had been urging her to marry wealthy
sutton. -
81 have told Mr. my mind,n continued
the young girl, encouraged by her brothers
siience, . and it Is not to his credit that he
should apply to you after knowing my feel
Elizabeth exclaimed Mr.. Shrewell, with
violence that startled her, /" viii know the
reason OF this obstinacy, Once my wish was
law to you" @
And so it is, and SO it shall be, brother, in
eil thing right. But cannot do what duty,
virtue, religion forbid; I can not utter false
ows@ lailif4li Do 5Ii2E
a.f@aAsS AoAS VI tulS uOuotuSc = 4CFleQ LL.6
brother. Your duty is to do as I counsel
for your good; your religion is worthless if it
teaches disobedience to your natural protect
OF. MT - is the husband I have chosen
tor you" FL.
but can not love him, and therefore I
will not marry him." answered the girl, firmly.
win not ph
"No, brother
"I'll tell you whom you shall not marry,
thenp cried Mr.. Shewen, angrily. "The
beggarly young Quaker on whom you HAYS
thrown away your afectionsl Hap as the
girls face flushed the deepest crimson, +" It is
for him you have rejected the excellent offers
maoe to you within the last year. Now, lis
ten, Elizabeth You are not to see or speak
with that rascal of painter again Do you
hear me?" 4- - SO {. = n
do, brother" was the faint reply.
Give me your word that you will never
speak to him again. . ...i,.,,
can not" she faltered; and violent
burst Of tears choked her voice. ed
$50 to your chamberl" cried the brother.
+" will take care of you, since YOU will not
take care of yourself Not word, but go."i
And as the weeping girl quilted the parlor
Mr. Sneweli called up the servants, and laid
his injunctlons upon them, one and all, to re-
fuse admittance to Ben West should he
ever present himself at the door; and on no
account to convey to him any communication
from their young mistress, on the penalty of
severe punishment
Elizabeth retired to her chamber, and wept
long over her brothers austerity, wondering
who had betrayed to him the closely-kept Sc
crst OF her love. After many conjectures her
suspicious fastened on the right person: it
was, 1t could be no other than her rejected
suitor, who, in the hope of furthering his own
views, mad informed Mr.. Shewell Of her In
tervleWs and correspondence with the Young ar
ust. how she hated him for the mean be-
trayal! How she longed for the moment to
pour out on him the scorn she felt! But her
neart was made for gentler emotions than the
desire OF vengeance, and her thoughts were
soon turned to plan how she might effect
reconciliation between her brother and her
plighted lover. As it grew toward dusk she
3 arose. put on her cloak and hood, and bidding
faitnful negress, slave, attend her, went to
the house OF friend where she had been ac-
customed OF late to meet the youth to whom
she had promised her hand
Inc lovers met, and parted with lingering
pledges OF affection and promises of truth
promises that through all changes and chan
ces tnelr falth should be kept inviolate; that
Inent OF their vows when fortune removed
Inc parrler that now interposed. They part
Ted, TO meet no more for long, long years; the
boy artist to his tolls as yet unrewarded by
fame or gold, to his dreams of bright future.
ana cheerful hopes destined to many disap-
polntment ere the goal was won; the maiden
70 her solitary, secluded cherishing of the one
aear trust which alone gave lite its value; to
sorrow and strife and trial, which strengthen
and purity faith in the loving heart. 1t was
iste oefore she reached home, and her steps
had been watched. The same ungenerous
espial had followed her that evening as
hitherto; her brother was informed of her in.
tervlew with the youth he had forbidden her
70 see, and In his resentment at what he
termed her daring disobedience, he resolved
on measures Which should subdue her spirit
to submission. The next day Elizabeth
found aerself a prisoner in her own apart
ments. None OF the household were allowed
TO approach the room save the female slave
before mentioned; Mr.. Shewell gave notice to
his sister that she would he allowed no free
som till she gave the pledge he required
never to hold intercourse with young West.
She refused to give the promise, and bore the
durance patiently.
Elizabeth Shewell was the daughter OF an
English gentleman, and had been eariy LETT
an orphan, She was committed to the charge
Of her wealthy brother, who deemed himself
the sole and rightful arbiter of her destinv'
and had resolved, that she should make an
advantageous match. Though not naturally
an sustere man, he possessed a resolution
that nothing could bend and it never occur
req to him that his gentle and Welding sister
could offer opposition to his will. When She
showed symptoms of having mind of her
own on subject involving the happiness of
ner future life, her resistance only strength
emo his determination to control her decis.
Ion. W nat does young girl know abont
WatTiageF was his mental observation The
conVlctlon that she was incapable OF wise
judgment justified, in his opinion, the severe
measures he thought fit to adopt, that she
might pc made happy in spite Of herself.
EAxapetn found consolation in her forced
seclusion, for the faithful negress was the
bearer of many letter between the separated
Lovers and absence was cheered by the sweet
assurances contained in those folded treas |
ures. The maiden trusted and hoped on. for |
her fond and true heart felt itself strong to |
overcome all things.
Al this period the genius of the youthful |
painter was hardly known beyond his own |
nelRhborhood. 1t was not long, however. be- |
lore the knowledge that artist-power of no |
common order was hidden in the Quaker lad |
whose poverty prevented its development, |
awakened the interest of few liberal GEN
ssmen in Philadelphia and New York. The
pttoauetlons on which young West had be-
ind I'm most labor were purchased by them,
sl es evidences of his great talent in
IPire9 tnen with a wish to aid him further.
-, IIu;o o Hf9s application to the art to
WHICH MS me had been consecrated with tba |
prayers ana blessings of his parents enabled
aim IN few months to realize snn smtii-
lent, as he thought, for fonndstion On
Which to begin the building of bis fo,,t,,nes
md by the advice and assistance Of bis no,
ons ne determined to go and prosecute his
tudies at Rome, HIS
In l76O West sailed for Leghorn. and
to 4