Year: 1867

| of the United States went to that
country ostcnsibly TO escape the
prosecutions Of aristocratic England,
] but, alas for the inconsistency OF
human nature, they were very far
from abandoning aristocracy when
they left the mother county, They
took it with them, together with all
its accompanying notions and alb
surditics, and have left to their ch l.
drcn as an inalienablc legacy, which
they seem to be trying to increase
every day.


In the days of the good colony Of
Virginia, the distinctions between
rich and poor were based upon laws
which, like those of the Medes and
Persians, altered not. One of the
most devout followers Of this code
was wealthy planter, living in
what is known rs the Northern
Neck lie was in all other respects
n frank, open, hearted, manly gem
tlcman; but his estimate Of his fel.
low men was founded upon the
principles that goveencd his selec-
ton Of his horses-blood. Wealth,
too was by no means an unimpor-
tant feature with him. He had our
human weakness, and, like all Of us,
was influenced more than he even
believed by pounds, shillings and
pence.


This Mr.. C. had quite a large
family, among them daughter
whose beauty was the standing toast
of the country. She was just eigh-
teen, and budding into lovely wo-
manhood. Not only was she beau
tiful in person, but her amiable
disposition and many accomplish
ments, made her more than ordina-
rily attractive, and half the gentle
men of Northern Neck were already
signing for her love.


There was in the country at this
time young man who was already
rising high in the esteem of his
neighbcrs, He came ola good fam
lily, but was, as yet, II poor young
surveyor, who had taught himself
his profession, and who had spent
much of his time in travcrsing un-
known forests, with nothing but his
compass for his guide, and his chain
for his companion, locating lands,
and settling disputed titles. lie
was model of manly beauty, and
cxcelled in all the various feats of
strength in which the olden time
Americans took such pride. He was
calm and reserved, and there was
about him Il dignificd sweetness of
demeanor that accorded well with
his frank independence ofcharacter.
lie was a great favorite with all
who knew him, and there was no
gathering to which he was not asked.


Mr.. C. seemed especially to
like the young man, and it was not
long before he insisted that the lat
ter should abandon all ceremony in
his visits to him, and come and go
when he pleased. The invitation
was heartily given, and as promptly
accepted. The young man liked
the planter, and he found the socie-
ty of the beautiful Mary c. n
very strong attraction. The result
was that he was frequently at the
planters residence; so frequently,
| indeed, that Mrs. c. felt called
upon to ask her husband if he did
not think it wrong to permit him to
enjoy such unreserved intercourse
with their daughter. The father on
ly laughed at the idea, and said he
hoped his daughter knew her posi-
ton too we'll to allow anything like
love for poor surveyor to blind her
to her duty to her family.


Nevertheless, Mary G--was not
so fully impressed with this convic-
ton of duty as was her father. She
found more to admire in the poor
surveyor than in all her wealthy
aristocratic suitors; and, almost be-
fore she knew il, her heart passed out
of her keeping, and was given to
him. She loved him with all the
honesty and devotion of her pure
heart; and she would have thought
it a happiness to go out with him
into the back woods and share his
fatigues and troubles, no matter how
much sorrow they might bring to
her.


Nor did she love in vain. The
young man. whose knowledge OF
the world was afterwards so great,
had not theu learned to consider as
binding the dlstin ;tions which socl-
etv drew between his position and
that of the lady. He knew that in
all that makes a man, in integrity
and honesty of purpose, he was the
equal of any one. lie believed that
| except in wealth, he stood upon a
perfect equality with Mary c.
and he loved her honestly and man.
fully. and no sooner had he satisfied
himself upon the state of his own
feelings than. he confessed his devo'
ton, simply and truthfully, and re-
ceived from the lady's lips the as
surance that she loved him very
dearly.


Scorning to occupy doubtful po
sition. or TO cause the lady to con-
ceal aught from her parents, th'
Young man frankly and manfully
asked Mr.. C. for his daughter
hand. Very angry grew the plant
er as he listened to the audaeiou'
proposal. He stormed and swor'
furiously, and denounced the young
man as an ungrateful and insolen
upstart.


"My daughter has always beef
accustomed to ride in her carriage,
he said. "Who are you, sirY'


"a gentleman, sir, replied tn
young man, quietly. and he left tn
house.