Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1873-05-31

trooper, wearing English uniform, would ride
nightly through mud and rain aud thunder aad
lightning and hail and wind to drink glass Of
grog, and smoke pipe with an old man Of 60.
Common sense answered No, and, having a
fair stock Of that commodity, so also said Far
mer Martin. " It's the girl he's after, and its
time to put stop to this nonsense," was The
conclusion he arrived at.
And so the very next evening | rode over,
and before Gertrude and | could finish oar
third game of chess Mr.. Martin put his head
into the door, and said, in dry, disnifed kind
of way
HEN Could speak with you few min
utes in the front paglor Mr. Rush p. r.'-
thought knew what was coming, and SO
did Gertrude, for she grew very pale, and up
set the chess-board in her agitation, SO that
kings, queens bishops, knights, wen. rolling
over the room.
Meanwhile, followed the old gentleman
into the parlor, and here hecpened the trench
es, not angrily, bu. colleotedly, calmly, deter
miuedly, informing me that his daughter never
could be mine, for that he was tolerably
wealthy man, and be had resolved never to
wed his child to one which was not possessed
of portion equal to her own.
In vain told him how much I loved his
daughter, that she loved me in return, and that
we never could exist. apart from each other.
The old man merely smiled sarcastically, and
said
"The man whose very coat is not his own,
and whose pay is only seven shillings and SIX
pence day, canno, marry my heiress."
He laid a long stress on the last word, and
don't know what possessed me, but replied;
"Aud what may be the extent Of your pres
eut wealth, Mr.. Martin p
The question was certainly very rude one
but the old gentleman did not seem to regard
it as such, for he answered;
We'll, three months ago had four thou
sand pounds in the Bank Of Australia, but
took it all out, and expended it in the purchase
of additional stock and Improvements on my
farm daresay am worth altogether, twelve
thousand pounds, and Gertrude will be the
sole possessor when die"
Then you don't object to me 10 myself
Mr.. Martin, bu. oaly because Pm poor ?"
said, bitterly.
Just so my boy. I object on principle
but, to show that bear you no personal ami
mostly, come into the kitchen, and we will
honor your last coming among us By a glass oI
my best grog, and some tobacco, such as you
have not tasted for many a day"
Stay mqment, cried Were l as rich
as you, Mr.. Martin, would you give me your
daughter ?" 8, ..... t....I.p
AYE, that I would, my lad, right willingly,
was the reply.
"And directly am as rich as you, if Ger
trude is then single, will you consent to Our
marriage ?" l persisted,
"Aye, verify l will, on my word Of honor,
Mr. Rush. ..
All where was /? My heart sank as
asked myself the question, and followed the
old man into the kitchen in almost heart
broken silence. .4 4.....-, ...
Presently glasses and pipes were laid on the
the table and l did my best to rekindle hope
within my breast, but it was no good
Ga the other side Of the Ere sat Mrs. Mar
tin, comeIy dame of so years. Gertrude,
knowing that something was wrong, but
scarcely guessing what, nestled up TO my side
and, 70 my great Joy, her father did not re-
buke her.
And thus we sat for long time, neither Of
us speaking a word, but listening to the falling
rain and bowling wind without, aud 70 the
great forest trees as their branches were sway
ed and t ssed by the blast. Anon came anoth-
er souud-a loud butyet soothing murmur,
like the sighing Of summer breeze amid a
cork-wood. ...
No one seemed to notice it but me. and
only did so wondering how so gentle and SO
musical a murmur could make itself so audible
abeye the uproar Of the wind and tempest
Suddenly, however, there broke upon our ears
the dashing opening Of a gate, and man
voice shouting ,. t... -..
Master Martin, if you value Jour life, look
sharp. The river has ovcrdown its bank and
the waters are out"
"Wa,er out Impossible" muttercd the old
farmer. "Why, bless my heart, the river was
not on a level with the banks by some inches
this morning, and we've had no rain 70 speak
of since"
"Ycu do not know what weather it has been
among the mountains, Mr Martin" said
And bark pu: you' ear to the floor Hea-
vens the warning was a timely one. We
have 20: 4 moment to lose"
The house, according to the common custom,
in the colonies, was built on piles, and thus the
downstairs rooms were about four feet from
The ground, between which and the flooring
the angry waters were DOW dashing against the
stout wood work with momentarily increasing
power.
The women began to cry the farmer was
too stnpefed to move.
This will do," ! said there is nota mo
ment to lose. can take one Of you up behind
me on my horse, and kpow that Carlo and