Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-10-04
Not Good Enough for Her.

Z
In the days of the good colony Of Vir-
GINA, the distinction between rich and poor
were based upon laws which, like those Of
the Modes and Persians. altered not. One
of the most dcvout 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 gen
tlcman; but his estimate Of his fellow men
was founded upon the principles that gov
erned his selection Of his horscs-blood. -.
v Wealth, too, was by no means an unimpor-
tant feature with him. He had our human
weakness, and like all of lis, was Influenced
more than he even believed by pounds, and
shilipgs and pence.
This Mr.. Chad quite large family,
and among them was a daughter whose
beauty was the standing toast Of the country.
Che was just eighteen, and budding into
lovely womanhood Not only was she beau
tiful in person, but her amiaple disposition
and many accomplishments made her more
than ordinarily attractive, and half the gen
signing for her love.
There was in the country at this time a
young man who was already rising high i'll
the esteem Of his ncighbors He came Of a
good family, but was, as yet, 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 and set
| IL: "A Ia rf
manly beauty, and excelled in all the varied
feats of strength in which the olden time
American took such pride. He was calm
and reserved, and there was about him Il
digniGed sweetness Of dcmcanor that accor-
dcd well with his frank Independence Of
character. lie was great favorite with all
who knew him, and there was no gathering
to which he was not asked,
Mr.. G--sccmed especially to like the
young man, and it was not long before he
insisted that the latter should abandon all
ceremony, in lis visits to him, and come
and 60 N,ncn hc r,eased. The invitation
was heartily given, and as promptly accept
ed The young man liked the planter and
he found the society Of the beautiful Mary
Ga very strong attraction. The result
was that he was frequently at the planters
residence; so frequently, indeed, that Mrs.
G-felt called upon to ask her husband if
he cid not think it wrong to permit him to
enjoy such unrcservcd intercourse with his
daughter The father only laughed at the
idea, and said he hoped his daughter knew
her position too we'll to allow anything like
| l. 60. 70 tO
duty to her family.
: 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 aristocratic suitors and, almost before
she knew it, her heart passed out OF he1
keeping, and was given to him. She loveo
r him with all the honesty and devotion OF hel
pure heart and she would have thought it
happiness to 90 out with him into the back
woods and share his fatigues and troubles
no matter how much sorrow they nigh
bring to her.
Nor did she love in vain. The young
man, whose knowledge of the world was at
forwards so great, had not then learned t.
consider as binding the distinctions which
society drew between his position and tina
of the lady. He knew that in all that makes
a man, in integrity and honesty OF purpose
) Ire was equal to any one He believed that
except in wealth he stood upon perfect equal
t ity with Mary c., and he loved he
!. honestly and manfully, and no sooner hat
!, he satisfied himself upon the state OF hi
feelings than he confessed his devotion, sim
ply and truthfully, and received from the la
: dy's lips the assurance that she loved HIN
!, very dearly. ).
= Scoring to occupy doubtful position, o
to cause the lady to conceal aught from he
!. parents, the young man frankly and man
fully asked Mr. Gfor his daughter
: : hand Very angry grew the planter as h
listened to the audacious proposal. II
stormed and swore furiously, and denounce
the young man as an ungrateful and lnsolen
# upstart
"My daughter has always been accus
toned to riding in her own carriage h
said. "Who are you, STRIP
r "A gentleman, SIR replied the youn
man, quietly; and he left the house
The lovers were parted. The lady maj
ried soon after wealthy planter, and tn
c Young man went out again into the world
battle with his heart and conquer his unhaI
nv nassion. He subdued it; butt althoug
: he afterwards married a woman whom
u loved honestly and truthfully, and who VIZ
worthy of his love, he was never wholly de'
to his first love.