The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-07-31
A Canadian Romance.

called the st. Mary's Tedcitc.a pleasant and
romantic little social "Reminiscences which,
while prompted bya line i'm the last edition
of the "Pccragc and Baronctagc " OF Eng
| land, refers to one Of the humblcst stations
in American life. Amongst the travellers
brought by a stage coach to the tavern OF
village of Stratlord, in Canada many years
ago, was q young man Of rather boyIsh
countenance, but not undignlied bearing,
who, attracted by tho pleasant scenery oi
tho place and IFS opportunities Tor ishihS
and hunting, fingered on at the inn many
weeks beyond his apparent first intention.
Known as Mr. Sterling, and believed to pc
from England, he was for sometime credited
only with the wbim of Il free and easy young
tourist enjoying an interval of rural indo.
lcncc between city sightseeing; but at lasf
the true reason of his delay was discovered.
Immediately across the road from the
tavern stood the cosy cottage and sparkling
force of the village blacksmith, named Fol
som. whose only daughter was girl ot rX-
traordinary beauty and the belle OF the
place. From spending certain idle hours
in the smthy the young stranger had con-
tracted Qllitc an intimacy with the smith,
and thus hy degrees formed an acquaint-
ancc with the family aud 4 tortnight'S $
incidental association with the beautiful
daughter was what had caused The weeks
of hi, stay in Stralford TO lcngthcn unno-
ticrd into months. In short, this English
Youth. upon his tr:Ivcl>, fell in love
to depth deeper than all ttlrtatlons
with the bllcksnith'S child, and was
and her father. The latter be frankly told
that his feelings in the matter had become
much stronger and more serious than he
had inicudcd they should bc; that his sta
ton in life was much above hlackSnitiing;
but that, being in love beyond power of
rccant;lton. he wished to marry the young
lady, and in due time, raise her to his OwI,
position. TO the girl herself he not only
offered ardent suit, but condcd in conf
dencc his position and expectation. Trust
ing his honest face and manner, the worthy
blacksmith favored his pretcnsions; trust
ing his love and honor, the humble belle
Of the village returned his honorable
passion, and, us Il consequence, there
elderly spinstcrS and sagcs of Stratturd
could not predict too much evil. After Il
few happy weeks of married life. Sterling
informed his wife that he must visit New
Orleans, and took leave OF her with Il
promise to write very soon. Then, of
course, the " I-told.you-sos " of the village
were sure that he would never come back
again, and choruscd hints and fears in
Vulnerable to that effect /; but, to their dis
conllitlre, the Engishman reappeared ut
>tra.ford even earlier than he had promised.
and his calumniaturS acknowledged their
defeat hy an abashcd silence. only Il few
days from thence, however, after rccclv-
ing Il formidable bundle OF letters bearing
foreign pustmarkS, the young husband
declared that he must return immcdi-
atcly to England, and alone. Without 4
thought of distruSt or single question the
wife hade him go; and from the hour of his
going until after two years had elapsed she
never saw nor heard from him again. This
time the social critics OF the village were
sure of the veritication Of all their prcdir-
tiouS. and only the wife herself believed
| hat it was not Il final dcscrtion. In the
| two years of absence and silence OH one
part, and truStful waiting on the other, a
son was horn to Mrs. Sterling and helped
| hcI to bear the more patiently the trial OF
the father ABSENCE but, 1T the end OF the
period named word came across the Allan
tic from that father himself, briefly aSkin.
the wife and mother to 90 at once to New
York, from whe to embark. as directed,
FOR new home in England.
| Coming hi.hcr with her babe, She found
that the ship named hid apartments Splcn-
Edidly furnished for her use, and two ser
wants to obey her every wish during the
Voyage. UEqueStionngly still. but fun of
happy hopes, she sailed for Oil EmSiaud to
be there received by her dcli.lltcd husband
in his true character of heir ID a name and
testate second to none in he English baron.
etauc, aud to enter I luxurious home un-
der tho title of Lady Sterling. by her
beauty, virtues, and simple graccS, doing
honor to the "station unto which she WAS
not born," tic village bllck>milh's dauch.
ter passed many happy years before follow
ing her husband, Sir Samuel Sterling, to
the grave. After his fathers death, the
son succeeded to the title and estate, and
| the mention of him in the last Peerdgt
| and B0rOnctGJc IL the issue OF the former
Miss Folsum,' Oi Stratto:d, NORTH
| America, is what incitcS the Canadian
paper to tell the above ronsn'lr 1tory o
! his parents cuurt>hir and marriage.
L