Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-02-09
A NIGHT OF YEARS.


Some forty years since, in the interior of
nv native State, New York, lived the faith
er of our heroine, an honest and respectable
farmer. He had but two children--Lucy, a
noble girl of nineteen, and Ellen, a year OF
two Younger. The first was willingly rather
than strikingly beautiful. Under manner
observable for its seriousness and nun like
serenity was concealed an impassioned ma
ture, and heart of the deepest capacity for
loving. She was remal kable tor voice OF
thrilling and haunting sweetness.
Ellen Dutton was the brilliant antipode OF
her sister, ''born beauty" whose preroga-
tive of beauty was to have her own way in
all things and at all times. An indulgent
father, a weak mother, and an idolizing sis
ter, all unconsciously contributed to the ruin
of nature not at first remarkable for
strength or generosity.
Where, in all God S creatures, is heart
lessness so seemingly unnatural, Is selfish
ness so detestable, US in beautiful woman
Lucy possessed fine intellect, and as her
parents were both real New Englanders, she
and her sister were far better educated than
other girls Of her situation in that then half
settled country.
In those days, many engaged in school
teaching from the honor and pleasure it al
forded, rather than from necessity. Thus,
after few months previous to the COM
meneement of our story, Lucy Dutton left
for the first time her freSide circle, TO take
charge Of school some twenty miles from
her native town.
's For some time her letters home were ex
pressive only of the contentment which
sprang from the consciousness of active use
fulncss-of receiving while iinparting good.
But anon came n change. Then were those
records home characterized by fttul gaiety,
or dreary sadness; indefnable hopes and
fears seemed struggli for supremacy n
the writer ; troubled heart Lucy loved, but
scarcely acknowledged it to herself, while
she knew not that she was loved So, for a
time, that second birth of woman's nature
was ike warm sunrise struggling with the
cold mists of the morning.
But one day brought letter which could
not be forgotten in the home of the absent
one, and letter traced by hand that trem
bled in sympathy with heart tumultuous
with happiness. Lucy had been wooed and
won. and she but awaited her parents ap
proval of her choice to become the betroth
ed of Edwin W, 4 man of excellent family
aadstanding in the town where she had been
teaching. The father and mother accorded
their sanction with many blessings, and Lu
cys next letter promised a speedy visit from
the lovers.
To such natures a. Lpey' :, what an alb
sorbing, ard yet what a revealing of self, is
first pas>ion-what prodigality of giving,
what an ncalculable wealth of receiving
what breaking up i there of the deep wa
tiers Of the soul, and how heaven descends
II sudden star-showeFs on life, If there IS
season when an angel may look with interest
upon her mortal sister, it is when she be-
holds her heart pass from its bud like limo
cence and girlhood, and taking to its very
core the fervid light of love, glow and Grim
son into perfect womanhood
At last the plighted lovers came, and vel
comes and festivities awaited them. Dir.
h-gave entire satisfaction to father, moth
er' and even the exacting beauty. He
was handsome man, with some pretentions
10 fashion, but in manner, and apparently in
character, the opposite of his betrothed-
1t was decided that Lucy should not again
leave home until after her marriage, which,
at the request of the ardent lover, was to be
celebrated within two months, and on the
birthday of the bride 1t was therefore ar.
iahged that Ellen should return with Mr..
W 10 take charge of her sisters school
Ior the remainder of the term.
The bridal day had come. 1t had been
ushered in by May morning of surprising
i'ellness; the busy hours had worn away,
aud neither the bridegroom nor Ellen, the
INST bridesmaid had appeared.
let IN her neat little chamber, sat Lucy,
douotng. She was all ready. in simple
white muslin, and her few bridal ornaments
lay on the table by her side Miss Allen,
'eE second bridesmaid, blue eyed, affec-
.ionate girl, her chosen friend from child
'''od, was arranging to more graceful fall
'ae wealth of light ringlets which swept her
snowy neck. To the anxious inquiries of
Ief companion, respecting the absent ones,
Lucy smiled aud replied:
-, oh, something has happened to detain
'aenl awhile; we heard from them the 9th