Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-08-01
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Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
AN HEIRESSIN HER0WN RIGHT.
BY EMILY J. ROMEO.
CHAPTER XXI.

BY EMILY ]. ROMEO.
CHAPTER XXI.
FAMILY CONGRATULATIONS PRO AND CON.
Men may, I find, be honest, though they differ
THOMSON.
Ihold my peace, sir? No;
No, will speak as liberal as the air.
SHAKESPEARE.
Mr.. Ellison called in the morning, as hi
had promised, and after some conversation
with Ellen, had long talk with Mr.. ane
Mrs. Wright. AS is often the case when
daughter is wooed, the father hesitated Longer
than the mother. 1t was rather unexpected
to both. Arthur had been very assiduou'
in trying to press attentions on Ellen to'
some weeks, but she had avoided him so point
edly and persistently, they had felt no fears
but her good sense would carry her through
his infatuation without harm. MIR. Ellison
had been so quiet and delicate in his addresses
no one but Ellen had really known they were
so sincere and constant. Mr.. Wright did moi
object to him as man. He could desire nc
better one for son-in.law; but Ellen was
his favorite child, and he felt pain in giving
her to any one. There were so few men II
the neighborhood, and they generally SO me
diocre, he had not contemplated the idea Of
Elen's marriage as a near or certain event
and it took time to gain full and hearty
assent.
Mr.. Ellison explained that he had arrang'
ed his property so he would have an income
sufficient for all moderate wants, though 1t
was far less than he had used before the war.
81 am very glad to hear it" said Mr.
Wright; "I am not mercenary and do not
care if you have only small income, but I
could not consent to give up Ellen ifyou had
none; for you, who were raised rich, do not
know how to make living like men in a
middling station, and I should be distressed
to have my daughter come to want, or have
to support an inefficient husband"
"You are right; understand your feelings,
and made all my business arrangements as
sure and secure as possible before l ventured
to urge my suit. I shall have some two thou
sand dollars year now, and if times ever
grow better, may be able to increase it. My
wife"-the word seemed to sit easily on his
tongue-"will have more control over our
expenses than I, and do not fear our inabil-
ity to live comfortably"
The two men smiled, shook hands, and one
went off for a long walk to think over and
become reconciled to the change which would
soon take place in his family; the other to
sit down by Ellen's side in blissful content,
murmuring sweet words, inaudible to any
ears save hers.
The most of Mr.. Elliott's family received
Mr.. Ellison's engagement very pleasantly,
and gave warm congratulations.
Conway had nothing to object to Ellen; !;
she was good enough for any one and would
appear well in any station; but there were
five younger than herself at home, and it was
probable some of them might marry into low
families, or among the common sort of people
who lived around the country. Tom being
now man, with good sense and cultivated
tastes, would no doubt look pretty high; but
there was no telling what the younger set
might do
"You borrow trouble unnecessarily" said
Mrs. Elliott; "your father says there is not a
man in the district who is prospering like Mr..
Wright. He will one day be rich and infu-
entail; and you know he is very careful, in
deed, in trying to have his children cultivated
and refined. They will not be apt to choose un-
lettered, coarse companions, without manners
or mind, after the training their parents give
and the examples set. Julia is now almost a
lady, and very sweet, pretty girl she is.
Her mother can no longer say her fingers are
all thumbs she has improved so much in ev-
cry respect; and that wide-awake Albert is
going to be smarter man than Tom."
81 think so, too, mother" said Grace; "Tom
is matter-of.fact, sensible, business man but
Albert is. quicker, has finer sensibilities, and
a keener relish for the beautiful and poetical.
He always makes me think of his father"
swell, I hope you may be right. 1 don't
think I am so much like cousin Letitia as to
be angry when people rise in the world, and
by merit attain honorable positions but 1 do
have horror of sinking and being lowered
of high families allying themselves to the
mushroom aristocracy, and being willing to
bolster up people whose only claim is based
on their ability to make money and cut a
great dash in the world"
Conway was correct in her opinion Of her
self. The only trouble was, she was more
ready to think people who were trying to rise
were mushroom aristocracy'' than natures
noblemen." She wished their title proved
not granted through favor. And who can
blame her?
Mr.. Elliott expressed himself very strongly
"Ellison ought to set an example to others
Now was the time to keep up distinctions Of
rank and blood. Society was unsettled, de
moralized, and if the old families of pure and
ancient descent did not make a stand ant
keep the proper boundaries defined and intact
when could they expect encroachments ant
usurpations to end? Ellison was clergy
man and had influence; had been marriet
and was experienced; was growing old"
"Only forty-six-just my age" suggested
Mrs. Elliott.
"Well, he's old enough to do better, and
am surprised at his conduct" And he stop
ped with what he thought digni6ed silence
but it looked more like petty vexation.
"Cousin Tim declared "Ellson had don
what he wouldn't; but it was natural for
man who had been pufed and praised all hi