The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-08-21
(ALES OF THE BORDERS.
RETRIBUTION.
BY ALEXANDER CAMPBELL.

In these days, when q fictitious style Is
made the vehicle of Fictitious feelings, we
AHer to our readers q simple story and
eezlsaa. -tAss IA 10 tue ono Ea :csy
hope to claim an interest very different from
shat which Is inspired by ingenious fiction.
/ There may be some who yet remember
Fanny Rutherford, Of the Parish Of Car
whinn. She was one of the most gentle and
amisble creatures that ever breathed-wsrm
kn her attachments, con6ding in her love,
Ind mild and kind in her dispositions. The
Daughter Of a country gentleman, Of small
Estate, but Of great respectability, she was,
nc the period of our story, III her nineteenth
kear. Her father, though by no means
wealthy, had spared no expense in her edu-
cation and her quick natural parts enabled
aer to derive all the benefit which that edu-
cation was intended 10 confer. She was
hlso the joy of two brothers, both intelligent
tlever, young men, bred to agricultural pur-
suits, in which they we're largely and exten-
Sively engaged.
\ Mr.. Rutherford was a widower and his
4 household duties therefore devolved upon
Fanny, who discharged them with exemplary
2ropriety.
Hitherto, though Of an ardent, susceptible
aud even romantic disposition, Fanny's
peace had never been disturbed by love.
RThe quiet tenor Of her days had passed away
k1 the enjoyment of domestic happiness, and
lin the interchange Of sndearments with her
father and brothers, to whom she was devot-
tedly attached, and by whom she was most
Ssincerely and tenderly loved in return. Nei-
4ther q thought or a wish beyond the sphere
! of this little round Of felicity ever entered
: the pure and unsophisticated mind Of the
happy and innocent girl. But this was a
Happiness that was not to last. Love, that
kbane or blessing of womsn's existence, as its
kobject is unworthy or otherwise, at length
| found its way into the guileless bosom Of
Fanny Rutherford and, oh, what a consum-
nation awaited that unfortunate attach
ment
At the distance of about a mile from Mr..
Rntherford's there lived a young man Of
the name Of Raeburn, the son Of gentleman
4 il similar circumstances with the former
that is, a small landed proprietor. This
young man, who had received a very liberal
Education, was possessed Of an agreeable
person and Of exceedingly pleasing manners;
but there were occasional developments Of
character that but very indifferently bar
mOnised with these qualities and there
were, besides, more than one little incident
| in bis life that betrayed degree Of selfish
ness, not to say heartlessness, that would by
no means have been expected in one so frank
and cheerful disposition. Still these symp-
toms were, after all, of so trif1iEg a chaTac-
ter, that they could scarcely be said to have
affected the reputation which Raeburn aimed
at, ard succeeded with a great many in ac-
ouiring-namely, that of dashing, careless
good hearted, and liberal-minded young fel-
low.
At this period, Henry Raeburn was resid-
ing at home, waiting for an appointment in
the civil service Of the East India Company,
which had been promised him BY friend of
his fathers ana much Of the spare time
which his present circumstances placed at
his disposal he spent at Mr.. Rutherford's,
where his agreeable manners and general
intelligence made bIm ct all times a welcome
visitor. But to none of the members of the
family were these visits more agreeable than
to Fanny, over whose affections his insinua-
ting address and handsome exterior had
made q complete conquest. Nor was Rae
burn himself apparently less the victim OF
this passion than she was. He took every
opportunity Of pouring into her ear the most
sand times he swore that he was hers for
ever-that the sun would change bis course,
the stars forget to shine, ere be became in
constant to his Fanny. To all these pro-
fessions of love the unsuspecting and confid-
ing girl lent a willing ear, and listened and
listened to the fascinating tale again and
again, till her whole soul became absorbed
by one single idea-until she found, in
short, that she lived for Henry Raeburn
alone.
Whether Raeburn was sincere in bis pro-
fessions of attachment to Fanny Rutherford
at this stage Of their acquaintance we cannot
say, and have no means of ascertaining
That was q circumstance known to his
Creator and himself alone.
The young people, however, made no at
tempt to conceal their mutual attachment