Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-02-12

him to their entertainments. And if the1
had, rusty coat and lack of money Z
spend on kid gloves would have effectu
ally Kept him away. He was proud
ms apparent neglect stung him. 1t IL
true that Jennie Morton was all the more
KIND. But his quick and foolish pride
made him fancy that he. detected pity IL
her kindness. And yet all this only
made him determined to place himself II
q position in which he could ask her hand
as her equal. But you donot understand,
Doctor, as do, how irresistible is this
conviction of duty in regard to the min
istry. Under that pressure my friend
settled it that he must preach. And now
there was before him good ten years OF
poverty, at least. What should he do
| about it9
Gin his extremity he took advice of a
| fayorite theological professor. The pro-
| fessor advised him not to seek the hand
of a rich girl. She would not be suited
to the trials of a minister's life. But
finding that Henry was firm in his opin-
ion that this sound general principle did
not in the least apply to this particular
case, the professor proceeded to touch
the tenderest chord in the young mans
heart. he told him that it would be
ungenerous, and in some sense dishonor-
able, for him to take a woman delicately
brought up into the poverty and trial in
cident to minister's life. If you under
stood, sir, how morbid his sense of honor
is, you would not wonder at the impress
sion this suggestion made upon him. To
give up the ministry was in bis mind to
be traitor to duty and to God. To win
her, if he could, was to treat ungener-
ously her whose happiness was dearer to
HIM thousand times than his own"
81 hope he did not give her up" said
the Doctor"
eyes, he gave her up, in q double
spirit of medieval self-sacrifce. Look
ing toward the ministry, he surrendered
his love az some of the old monks sacri-
feed love, ambition and all other things
to conscience. Looking at her happiness,
he sacrificed his hopes in q more than
knightly devotion to her welfare. The
knights sometimes gave their lives. He
gave more.
''For three years he did not trust him
self to return TO his home. But having
graduated and settled himself for nine
months over a church, there was no
reason why he shouldn't go to see his
mother again. And once in the village,
the sight of the old school-house and the
old church revived a thousand memories
that he had been endesvoring to Danish.
The garden walks, and especially the ap-
pie trees, that are the most Interchangeable
of landmarks, revived the old passion
with undiminished power. He paced his
room at night He looked out at the new
house of his rich neighbor. He chafed
under the restraint of his VOW not to
think again of Jennie Morton. 1t was
the old story of the monk who thinks the
world subdued, but who finds it all at
once about to assume the mastery of him.
l do not know how the struggle might
have ended, but it was all at once stopped
from without.
"There reached him a rumor that Jen-
ME was already the bstrothed wife of
Col. Pearson, who was her fathers part
ner in business. And, indeed, Col. Pear
son went in and out at Mr.. Morton's gate
every evening, and the father was known
to favor bis suit.
Jennie was not engaged TO him, how
ever. Three times she had refused him.
The fourth time, in Difference to her
fathers wishes, she had consented to
think about it for a week. In truth,
Henry had been home ten days and had
not called upon her, and all the hope she
had in hof Ill
the weary waiting, seemed in vain. When
the ColoneIs week was nearly out she
heard that Henry was to leave in two
days. In a sort of desperation she de-
-ermined to accept Col. Pearson without
waiting for the time appointed for the
answer. But that gentleman spoiled it all |
Dy his own over confidence.
'For when he called, after Jennie had
determined on this course, he found her
20 full of kindness that he hardly knew
how to behave with moderation. And so
he fell to flsttering her, and f1attering
himself at the same time that be knew |
AL the ms and outs of girls heart, he
her on the many offers she
lsd received.
"' And l tel you what, he proceeded,
there are plenty of others that would |
ay their heads at your feet, if they were
only your equals. There's that young
oArson, Gilbert think they call him, |
hat is visiting his mother, in the un-
painted and misunderstanding little |
house that stands behind this one. I've
actually seen that fellow, in his rusty,
nusty coat, stop and look after you on |
he street, and every night when l 90
home, he is sitting at the window that
ooks over this way. The poor fool is in
owe with you. Only think of it And |
chuckle to myself when / see him, and
say, 'DOnt you wish you could reach so
nigh 2" l declare it's funny
'In thst one speech Col. Pearson
dashed his chances TO pieces. He could |
lot account for the sudden return of win
er in Jennie Morton's manner. And all |
lis sunshine was powerless 10 dispel it,
)r to bring back the least approach to
spring.
'POor Jennie! You can imagine, Doc |
or, how she paced the floor for all that |
hight She began to understand some |
hing of the courage of Henry Gilbert's |
ACeA ~ e4A oOLuCt4liuS VI JliC ludullltSS Ol /.
lis motives. All night long she watched |
he light burning in the room in the |
Widows house; and all night long she de- |
Dated the matter until her head ached. She |
Ould reach but one conclusion: Henry
vas to leave the day after to morrow. If |
ny communicate should ever be opened |
'elweeu them, she must begin it. 1t was
6 if she had seen him drifting away
rom her forever, and must throw him
Jpe. think such womsn's right man
S yourself would hardly justify her,
IOwever, in taking any step of the kind"
g 4 certainly should, said the Doctor.
''But she could not find a way-she had |
10 ropeto throw. Again the Colonel, mean
ng to do anything else but that, opened
be way. At the breakfast table the next
norning she received from him a mag
it1cent valentine. AL at once she saw
er method. 1t was st. Valentines day.
he rope was in her hand. EKcusing
erself from breakfast, she fastened to
er room
''To send a valentine to the faithful
over was the uppermost thought. But
ovi She dare not write her name, for,
fter al, she might be mistaken in count
lg on his love, or she might offend his
rejudices or his pride by so direct an
pproach. She went fumbling in q
rAWer for stationery. She drew out lit |