The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-09-05
Not Good Enough For Hcr

| 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 a wealthy
planter, living IN what is known as the
Northera Neck. He was in all respects
frank, open hearted, manly gentleman;
but his estimate of his fellow ren was
founded upon the principles that goy=
erned the selection of his horses-blood.
Wealth, too, was by no means an unims
portant 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.. C. had quite a large
family, and among hem was daughter
whose beauty 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
ordinarily attractive, and half the gen.
tlemen of the Northern Neck were al.
ready sighin for her love.
There was in the country at this time
ayoung man who was already rising high
in the esteem of his neighbors. He
came of good family, but was, as yet,
poor young surveyor, who had taught
himself his profession, and who had
spent much Of his time in traversing un
known forests, with nothing but his
compass for his guide, and his chain for
his companion, locating lands and set
Ting disputed titles. He was model
of manly beauty, and excelcdlln the va
ried feats of ofstrength in which the olden
time Americans took such pride. He
was calm and reserved, aud there was
about him dignifed sweetness of de-
meauor that accorded we'll with his
frank independence of character. He
was great favorite with all who knew
him, ald there was no gathering to
wbich he was not asked.
Mr.. c. seemed especially to like
the young man, and it was not long be.
fore he insisted that the latter should
abandon all ceremony in his visits to
him, and come and go when he pleased.
the invitation was heartily given, ard as
promptly accepted. The young man
liked the planter, and he found the So
ciety of the beautiful Mary c. a
very strong attraction. The result was
that he was frequently at the planters
residence 50 frequently, indeed, that
Mrs. c. felt, called upon to ask her
husband if he did not think it wrong to
permit lin to enjoy such unreserved
intercourse with their daughter. The
father only laughed at the idea, and
said he hoped his daughter knew her
position too we'll to allow anything Ike
love for poor surveyor to blind her to
her duty to her family.
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 aud aristocratic
suitors and, almost before she knew it,
her heart passed out of her keeping aud
was given to him She loved him with
all the honesty and devotion of her pure
heart and she would have thought it
happiness to go out with him into the
back woods and share his fatigues and
troubles, no matter how much sorrow
they might bring to her.
Nor did sho love in vain. The young
man, whose knowledge of the world was
afterwards SO great, had not then learn.
ed to consider as binding the distinctions
which society drew between his position
and that of the lady. He knew that in
all that makes man, he was tho equal
of any one. He believed that, except
in wealth, he stood upon perfect equal
ity with Mr.. c., and he loved her
honestly and manfully, aud no sooner
had he satisfied himself upon the state
of his own feelings than he confessed
his devotion, simply and truthfully, and
received from the lady's lips the assur-
auce that she loved him very dearly.
Scorning to occupy a doubtful posi-
ton, or to cause the lady to conceal
aught from her parents, the young man
frankly aul manfully asked Mr.. G.
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 ungrateful and insoler
upstart.
:" My daugdter has always been &C,
customed to riding in her own carriage,
he said. Who arc you sir
"A gentleman, sir" replied the
? young man quietly; and he left the
| | house.
t The lovers were parted The lady
, married soen after wealthy planter, anc
t the young man went out again into thu
t world to battle with his heart and con
quer his unhappy passion. He subdu
ed it but although be afterwards mar
| ried a woman whom he loved honestl.,
! and truthfully, and was worthy OF hi
> love, he was never wholly dead to h.
q first love.