The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1869-04-27
PEEusy.rE DtrLO.uscs..

/, Was the graudest party of The seas
On. Invitations had been sont to NIL
the coutry folks FOR sen miles round -
Tie occasion vas Elsie Groftou ; twen-
tioth birthday the only daughter Of
Squire John Groiton, county Judge,
and man Of no small influence. lie
Was a hale. hearty gentleman Of tif'y
or thereabouts looking, perhaps trl-
81 Older than he really nes-a well cd
ucatel. refined, and exceedingly just
man, outside i bis own household.
For successive generations the Gro!-
toms had married and iutcrmauied,
thus keeping the property Which was
Immense, in The hands Of the Groftons,
The judsc, although eminently sensible
in other respects, aud sound ethical
scholar aud roascner could not, appar-
entity, be brought 70 see that this con
stant blending of similar blood was to-
tally opposed to every natural and sci
entifcal principle. The old squire
could not by convinced; and Elsie, very
much against Der will had been, for the
two years preceding the opening Of this
story, betrotbed to her own cousin,
Charles Grofton.
Elsie, 70 adopt her own yernacular,
'eouldnnt bear him in her sight,
Ard it was bard to tell whether Chas
was in love With bis pretty cousin, OF
really, like all the male members Of the
Grof,on family, more Infatuated with
the bank stock aud real estate which
was TO be Eisie's portion, il she acted
according to orders At all events, the
expectaut bridegroom was possessed o.
little energy, aud less common sense
and Elsie grew every day more obdur'
ate, and determined to step out OF the
beaten track Of past generations; but
she was wise enough to keep her own
counsel.
Poor Elsie's young life had been on,
Of absolute bondage, no evening fun
no sleigh rides by moonlight snch Al
the rest Of the girls enjoyed, No, sh'
must always be accompanied by he
lover OF father. who considered il BIZ
bound duty to watch and keep Elsi'
from falling in love. Let us see il h'
succeeded.
Among lie train there was q swain
fle led she loved ~ weli."
A young gentleman, just commenc
ing the practice Of law in Boston, mos
respectfully connected, and Just the fol
los 90 take ty storm Young grl'
gsai, u.dt. cat Sometimes Elsie in
ag.ued TIE feeling was mutual, bat hos
was she eyei Is kaoN He Was fima
lar With the history II tie Grotious-
know what ,trAng iAmily they ha,
been aud. a. SIZE sas invariably Al
tended b ouc % tLe other Other keep
ers, It aas hard matter To have eve
al ordinary interview with The youn
iaa,
T4!s va, Der .asi pa,deu Z party He
father BAD impressed thai upon be
mind Yly ioubly
Charles don't leel ike waiting you
motion any loager, my daugier sai
be- 50 have taktn tae liberty {
hauyilg things ap Your next part
vii. be IS tie occasion 81 your MAJ
raae
fAther replied Esio brislhng u
YOU couldn't alsl q the cattle g
your farm wlth less sllow u teolin
than yoa csinee IA lie case oi your On
II daughter. And lhen, as Il consciou
that sAe bad SAID TOO much 10 the ol
Judge. strangely irasc.ble on tbs sui
lect she eoatlausd, lansaingly Bat
tbis ss going 70 be sag last party shs
take tac liberty of iufi.ing everybody
wani.
All right. be replied. With sigh.
shall neyer real Peglectsy easy tili | 81
yoa Charles a.iss and thea know II
Grotson pride uiil make Jon steady an
falhsaL
Ksse huu.med lively litils tame, an
maiserel. a. shs d&scsd ous Il Il
Euum
Ihai.e6 GroitDa hasnl 50; ne ye