Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-07
miscellaneous.
The Beautiful 0etoroon.

been very rich before the war IN LANDS
and negroes, but who was stripped COM
pletely by the occupation Of his plantation
by Federal troops. told a story OF an &C.
toroon girl since the war.
The girl was one OF the most beautiful
of her race, and of course had been train
ed by her mother to be as wise as SER
pept. if not as harmless as dove. She
knew Just how beautiful she was.
A very rich Young man-that is, young
man with a very rich father. saw her and
fell in love with her. A great many young
men had done the same thing. but she put
very high price upon herself. A house
furnished ever so we'll was all very wei
for common girls. but she held herself far
above that sort of thing. She was perfect
" willing that the young man should have
her, but marriage was her price, nothing
less. When he told her how much he
loved her. she assured him that love was
not worth a whit to a woman unless 1t was
leealized. and that if he loved her as he
said he did, he ought to be willing 10
make the sacrifice she required that he
might possess her. He begged, stormed.
swore, entreated, wept, walled and howled
but to no avail. She was as cool as Gu
cumber. She loved him and he loved
her why not marry?
The Young man was so infatuated that
he mustered up courage and went to his
father.
The old man was very stern with him
His son marry an octoroon Never
do it. sir" said he, in the regular
irate father style, land you will never
look me in the face again"
81. cd N
vain he remarked to the old gentleman
that he had been young once, and ought to
know how it was himself. The old man
did not see it in that light
But, father" pleaded the young man,
''she is no common woman
II don't suppose she is. Were She,
YOU would not so rave over her.
''All ask is that you 90 and see Marie
Go and see her. and know you will wei
come her as a daughter. Go and see her.
The young man was confident that the
charms that had enslaved him would cap
ture his father
81 will 90 and see her." said the father.
''to please you, but it will not alter my
decision. But | will 90 and see her"
The old gentleman did 90 and see her.
and he found that his son had not exag
gerated her qualities She was exceed
ingly beautiful, exceedingly bright. ex-
ceedinglv accomplished, and as keen as
razor. She was the wisest young octo-
room. there was in New Orleans. and she
took good care to put her best foot for
ward She talked the old gentleman out
of his prejudices, she made him interested
in her, and when he left her presence he
went out in a sort of dazed way.
He did not return to his son at all, but
avoided him. The young lady said to her
mother, after the old gentleman had gone
II don't think. mamma, [ shall marry
Edward. | don't like him as much as |
thought did, and marriage without abso-
lutte love would be, to nature like mine,
a hell upon earth"
Don't talk rubbish to me-" remarked
the mother. You won't throw over so
excellent Il man with such brilliant pros
poets, will you?"
"A bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush. My shrinking soul is frightened at
the thought of trusting my future with
Young and changeable man, | require
love require the entire devotion of
heart as true as my own. And besides,
mamma, suppose the cruel father should
disinherit the son That would be terri
BILE. think my duty to myself and to
YOU requires me to shake the Young man
But shall do nothing hastily. | shall
consult my heart"
The next day the old gentleman called
again. and enjoyed an hour or two of the
delightful girls society, and when Ed
ward came again, he was not permitted
to see her.
"She loves YOU" said the mother who
did not see him, with love furious in
its intensity; but she will never be the
means of making You unhappy. When
your father gives his consent and is will
inc to receive her as daughter, she will
rush gladly to your arms. but nottill then.
Marie is full OF passion. but duty keeps
it in check. Her very love for YOU pre-
vents her from making You miserable.
"But | must see her.
"Impossible." was the heartleSs reply,
and the door was slammed in his face
|, was impossible that he should see
Marie. for very good reason, viz: his
father was with her trying to persuade
her TO accept his protection" which the
astute young woman rejected, as she had
IL similar offer from his son.
Abou, a week thereafter the mystery
was cleared up. He received the follow
ing from his father, dated New York:
My DEAR Son ALL you said to me of
Marie is true. She is indeed everything
that is lovely in person and mind. She is
at once the most beautiful and wisest of
her sex. | should be perfectly willing for
you to marry her. but for one trifling fact.
| have found it essential to my happiness
that should marry her myself, which
have done. | hope to hear from you oc-
casionally. PAPA.