Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-08-31

Which Proposed; or the Ministers Love
Story.

oSois.
"Now. doctor. there was a queer
thing that happened to a student in nv
| class in the seminary. don't suppose
you are much interested in a love story.
but ! would Just like to tell YOU this
! one. because | think You dare no, ap-
ply your womsn's right principles to it
in every part. Theories often fail
when practically applied. you know"
60 on, Hugh. 90 on; Ia like TO
hear the story. And as for my princi-
pies they'll bear applying anywhere.
and the Old doctor rubbed his hands
confidently
"This friend Of mine, Gilbert" said
Hugh, 'was like myself poor. 4 long
time ago, when lie was boy, the son
OF a poor widow. the lot on which lie
lived joined at the back tie lot on
which lived Mr.. Morton, then a th1iv-
ing merchant, now the principal capi-
talist in that part of the country. As
there was back between the lots. my
friend was the constant PLAYMATE from
earliest childhood of Jenny Morton.
lie built her play-houses ont OF old
boards. he moulded clay bricks for her
use. and carved tiny toys out Of pine
blocks for her amusement. AS he grew
larger. and as Jenny's father grew rich
or and came 10 live in great style,
Henry grew more shy. But by all the
unspoken language of the eyes the two,
never failed 10 make their unchanging
regard known TO each other.
Henry went TO College early. AT
vacation time the two met. But the
growing difference in their social re-
lation could not but be felt Jenny's
friends were Of a different race from
LIs own. Her parents never thought
of inv 'lting him To their entertainments
And If they had, 4 rusty coat and Il
lack Of money to spend on Xii gloves,
would have etiectually h pi him away
lie was proud. This apparent neg lect
stung hun. IL is true Jenny Morton
Was all the more kind. Blu; his quick
and foolish pride made him think tia,
he detected pity in her kindness
And all this made him determined
TO place himself in a position in which
he could ask her hand as her equal.
But do you not understand, doctor, as
do, how irresistible was his conviction
Of duty in regard TO the ministry. Un-
der that pressure my friend settled il
that he must preach. And now there
was before him good ten years OF
| poverty at least. What should he do
/ about IT?
In this extremity he took advice of
favorte theological professor. The
professor advised him not to seek the
hand of rich girl. She would not be
suited TO the trials of minister's life.
But finding that Henry was firm in his
opinion that this sound general princi-
pies did not in the least apply to this
particular case, the professor proceed
ed TO touch the tenderest chord in the
young mans heart. He told him that
1t would be ungenerous, and in some
sense dlshonorable for him to take a
woman delicately brought up, into the
poverty ana trial incident to minis
ter's life. If you understood. sir, how
morbid his sense of honor is, you would
not wonder at the impression this sug-
| gestion made upon him. To give up
the ministry, was in his mind to be a
| traitor to God. To win her if he could,
was to treat ungenerously her whose
4 happiness was deareI TO him thousand
times than his own.
i nope he did not give her up said
| the doctor.
Yes, he gave her up in double
spirit, medieval self sacrifice. Look
ing toward the ministry he surrender
ed his love as some old monks sacri-
feed love, ambition. and all other
things to conscience. Looking at her
happiness, he sacrificed his hopes in
more kingly devotion for her welfare.
The knights sometimes gave their
lives. He gave more.
For three years he did not trust
himself to return TO his home. But
having graduated and settled himself
for nine months over church, there
was no reason why he should not see
his mother again. And once in the
village, the sight of the church and the
school-house revived a thousand memo
ries that he had been endeavoring TO
Danish.
The garden walks and especially
the apple trees. that are the most un.
changeable of landmarks, revived the
old'passion with undiminished power
He paced his room at night. He look
ed out at the new house of his rich
neighbor. He chafed under the re-
siraint not to think again of Jenny
Morton. 1t was the old story Of the
monk who thinks the world subdued
but who finds it to assume the mastery
Of him. / do not know how it nigh,
have ended, but it was all at once
stopped from without.
There reached him q rumor thai
Jenny was already the betrOthed wife
Of Colonel Pearson, who was her faith.
er's partner in business. And indeed
Colonel Pearson went in and out Ol
Nr. Morton's gate every evening. and
the father was known to favor the suit.
Jenny was not engaged to him,
however. Three fimes she had refua.