Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-09-19
Not Good Enough for Ter.

SoooNA
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 wealthy planter, living III
what is known as the Northern Neck. He
was in all other respects a frank, open
hearted, manly gentleman; but his esti-
mate 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 shan he even
believed by pounds, shilIings and pence.
This Nr. c. had qnite a large fami-
ly, and among them was daughter whose
beauty wasthe standing toast Of the country.
She was just eighteen, and budding into
lovely womanhoad. Not only was she
beautiful in person, but her amiable dispo-
sition and many accomplishments made her
more than ordinarily attractive, and half
the gentlemen of the Northern Neck were
already sighted 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 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 settling disputed titles He was mod
Ell of manly beauty, and exceled in all va
ried feats Of strength in which the olden
time Americans took such pride He was
calm and reserved, and there was about
him dignifed sweetness of deneanor that
accorded well with his frank independence
of character. He was a great favorite with
all who knew him, and there was no gath.
ering 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 go when he pleased. The invitation
was heartily given, and as promptly &C
cepted. The young man liked the planter,
and he found the society Of the beautiful
Mary C. 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 in
tercourse 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 love for poor survey
or to blind her to her duty to her fami-
| ly.
Nevertheless Mary c. was not so
fully impressed with this conviction of du-
| ty 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 wither heart passed out
of her keeping, and was given to him.
She loved him with all the honesty and de-
votion Of her pure heart; and she would
have thought it happiness to go out with
him into the backwoods and share his fa-
tigues 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 man, in integrity and honesty
Of purpose, he was equal to any one. He
believed that, except in wealth he stood
upon perfect equality with Mary G -,
and he loved her honestly and manfully,
and no sooner had he satisfied himself up
on the state of bis own feeling than he
confessed his devotion, simply and truth
fully, and receive from the lady's lips the
assurance that she loved him very dear
'y.
Scoring to occupy doubtful position.
or to cause the lady to conceal aught from
her parents, the young man frankly and
| rnanfullv asked Mr. q FL, hic danrb