Year: 1861




You know, father, he has strong hands and brave
heart With little economy think we can live if not
uxuriously at least comfortably and happily. You
surely would not make his circumstances insur-
mounable obstacle to our union?"


II tell you, Minnie, what have told you before my
daughter, With my consent, you shall never marry
mechanic


"But, father think of his integrity of his spotless
character, OF his moral and intellectual worth Are
these not worth more than princely fortune?n


I say, for the last time; my daughter, with my con
sent, you shall never marry a mechanic"


Her plea useless, and the fearful maiden went to
her room to weep Those were the scalding tears of
disappointment and affection. Oh it was so cruel to
crush that young heart in its first sweet dreams of love-
and all for what?


Minnie Thornton was lovely girl, the pet of home
and the tavore of large circle Of facquaintances Her
father was wealthy manufacturer and his house was
an elegant mansion, in retired street of beautiful
New England city. How unlike the father and daugh-
ter She was unpretending he aristocrac. She frank
cordial and open-hearted he cold and reserved; she
sought companionship, primarily, with reference to
character he associated only with capitalists and men
of large financial credit.


Minnie had just reached her nineteenth year, when
she became ardently attached to young man living
near by her fathers residence, OF whom could be said,
Hes only mechanic"


Harry Lowell was noble young man, every way
worthy OF her. every way worthy OF any woman's
heart tits true he possessed neither lands houses
or gold but he bad will for duty and work, soul for
pursuit and attainment the heart Of good man and
lphilanthropist


When Mr. Thornton became aware of the fact that
MS daughter bad exchanged tokens Of affection with
mechanic, his anger only equaled by his asonish-
ment


What! my daughter, he said 'my only daughter,
my dolised daughter throw herself away and disgrace
the name Of Thornton, bymawyng this poor mechanic!
1t cannot be. 1t shall not bel"


A. III H., h
with his daughter The closing words of their conver-
sation have already related The sernheared father
in no pleasant state Of feeling hurried away to his man
utactory while the daughter sought the solitude OF her
own room to pour out her heart i'll tears Her thoughts
went back to the happy hours she had spent with the
loved one Must she give up this new found joy
Must she and her lover be to each other though they
had never met? OH it cruel thought; but yet 1t
must be done That stern fathers mandate had gone
forth, and She knew it was irrevocable!





minnie, what makes you 50 sober tonight? You
seem very unhappy"


do II thought my countenance would betray 1t
all To shorten your suspense, we must part"


Must part? What you, deares2 never
dreamed OF this. Tell me, quickly"


You know Harry that love you; that this neces-
sity is not OF my creaton that would most cheer
fully accede TO your wishes that our union may be
consumnated at early day; but how can meet the
storm Of my fathers wrath? These dreams can only
be realised in direct opposition to his will Can we do
otherwise than pari?'


Dearly as ] love you, / would not counsel you to
enter upon path Of disoDedience. Under the circum
stances, is best we should part shall ertorget


''Nor l." chimed in a sweet voice that seemed but
the echo of his own.


keep brave heart Minnie. Trust in heaven, and
all may yet be right"


"If must part, Harry, let me ask you to feel per-
fectly free Love and be married without any thought
IT, /. Ill,
others society. Let US be cheerful and cordial as
ever and III relation friends try to forget that
we were anything more. Good bye!'


Good bye!n


One silent embrace, parting kiss, and the lovers
were separated


Minnie was proud as well as brave. She did not
even tell her mother the deep sorrow size felt She re-
sumed her studies i'll celebrated academy. To her
friends She seemed the same ghed-hearted Minnie Of
the olden time But often, she bent her book,
would a familiar face rise before her, reminding her,
OH 50 wildly Of past happiness. And often in the sol
itude Of her own room, thoughts of forgotten love
stole upon her memory the tear would force itself from
its chrystal spring. and deep sadness would fill her
soul


Two years had passed ay,and the girl had become
a lovely woman. One afternoon, in calling upon a
friend whom should she meet but the above all
others dear to her heart Why should they be efaone
for few minutes? Did the fatcs have anything do

aration there anything expressive in that mutual
gance2 Vast thou Cupid, the temper that those lips
should be parted to say something more than the mere
careless words of courtesy?


This much, il no more, was spoken by each:
''Iou have not been forgotten"


Minnie felt it, if she did not speak it:


u am a woman now, and am free"


Harry divined her thoughts, and said


Shall we ever be anything more than triends?'


"Write me a letter and will answer it, was the
significant reply.


The letter was written and answered; and but few
weeks passed away was whispered among Minnie's
friends:


Minnie Thornton and Harry Lowell are going to be
married"


Mr. Thornton expostulated with his daughter, and
finally threatened to dsinhert her if she married the
despsed mechanic Neither his exposuations threats
moved her In the sunny month Of May, when the
blooming trees and flowers silently talked of beauty
and the birds were chanting love, Harry and Minnie
were made husband and wife.


None of Minnie's immediate relations present
at her bridal Visit Harry LoyelIs humble home to-
day, you will find the loving lghthearted Minnie there
She will ask you to stay all day, and will very likely
before you retire will tell You what she often tell others
Il never was so happy in all my life"