Newspapers / Western Carolinian (Salisbury, N.C.) / July 17, 1821, edition 1 / Page 4
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The Muse whate'er the Muse inspires, My soul the. tuneful strain admires....scoTT. FOB TU WSTEHN CABOLI'IA". The Old Bachelor's Excuses for not marrying. I would have married, but the girls "Were so confounded witty, They hid their charms, with rouge and curls, "Which turn'd my love to pity. I then, for pity's sake, did try, AVith all my srts to win them ; But lack-a-day, I found that I Could find no pity in them. I dress'd me out beau a la mode, DeterminM yet to try them ; But lack-a-day, as on 1 rode, I found that I must buy them. On every maid I tried my darts, 'Till at length a pretty old one Said, "if with darts you'd pierce our hearts, "You must go and get a gold one." I then gave up my mad career, With many a heart felt hi-ho ; A Bachelor at my sixtieth year, And rcsolv'd that I would die so. wit faid ron. On the pleasure arising from Public Worship. TO MARY. How dear to pious souls the day "Which bids them to the church repair ! How sweet to cast their cares away And meet their heavenly Father there ! O how I love that place of rest ! "Where mingling with the peaceful train, Devotion fills the yielding breast, And soft emotions bless her reign. If such the happiness that springs From prayer and praise in union sweet, "What must we feel when angel's wings Shall waft us to the Saviour's feet ! That heaven must be a blessed place My Mary's gentle sighs declare ; And when I view her lovely face, O how my soul expatiates there 1 Yes, Mary, when in thy bright eyes Devotion's rising beams 1 see, Fond fancy follows to the skies To learn if angels look like thee. Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its Havor. TROM THE X. T. LITERARY JOURXAL. THE TOLL-GATIIEKER'S DAUGHTER. Foaming through the chasms or im mense rocks that seem to have been driven asunder by some giant stroke the Hudson forms the cataract well known at Glen's Falls, and makes its ivay over and through the rocks with a lorce that shakes the slender bridge, which is thrown across the stream be low. At the end of the bridge stands, or rather did stand twenty years since, the humble residence of the toll-gath-erei. The neatnes of the house gave a charm to its lowliness : it was built on a rock, and half hid by the weeping villous that grew around it; and the traveller, nearly stunned by the noise of the struggling waters that dazzled his siyht as ;hty foamed and sparkled in the sun, turned with pleasure to contemplate this simple quiet scene, which seemed the chosen abode of peace and innocence. ' Butler, the name of the owner, had seen better days : he had begun his life with fair piosprcts ; but the loss of a leg, and many a wo besides, had brought him, in the decline of life, to the lowly occupation of toll-gatherer. Yet this lot was not without alleviations ; there wds a cheerful and affectionate wife, a lovely and affectionate daughter, and a sincere and excellent adviser in the Dominie, as the minister of the parish was familiarly termed. The Dominie was exactly suited to his sit uation ; his talents were not of the first order, nor was his knowledge ex tensive, but he was possessed of plain gftod sense, sound judgment, and that kindness of disposition 4 which loves all, and in turn is loved by all.' His piety was simple, but very fervent; perhaps it was this sincerity that ren dered his sermons impressive, for he certainly was not eloquent : his lan guage was not chaste, nor his style ri ?ilar, vet have men's hearts melted and trembled before him. He had "never been married: indeed his slen der salary, although increased by teaching a school, would not allow nun tne comiort oi a norr.e. lie mere- fore resided alternately with the dif ferent members of the congregation ; and the house was thought blest while it contained the Pastor, Thus he be came intimately acquainted with eve ry one of his small liock. He joined with cheerfulness in all their mural ap-Tts, and shared their sufferings with the same sincerity. Butler was distinguished by the minister's pecu liar favor, and his daughter looked up to the Dominie as a becond father. The good man had bestowed upon his favorite all his sum of learning. She was now sixteen ; and being pro nounced as wise as her instructor, she had quitted school to aid her mother in her domestic duties. As the fa ther was now infirm, and the dame a busy housewife, the task of gathering toll generally devolved on Letty ; for that was her unsentimental name. There was another reason that ren dered her appropriate for this duty ; in addition to reading and writing, she had ac qui fed a considerable know ledge ot arithmetic, which made her tolerably expert in changing dollars to shillings. A knowledge of the Bible, the Child's Instructer, the historv of England, comprehended all .Letty's literary attainments ; but they were sufficient to engraft on her heart a grateful and fervent love to God, and a strong sense of virtue, and by boun ding her hope and wishes to the nar row scene her lot seemed to be cast in, gave her cheerfulness and contentment. It was a sultry summer evening : Letty had carried her spinning wheel to the side of the house, where, seated under a large tree, she busily spun, while she listened to the deep rolling of the fall as its light spray fell around her. She was roused from her em ployment by the sound of wheels, and looking up beheld a gig dashing vio lently down the steep hill that led to the bridge, and in spite of the prohibi tion, they passed over the entrance, and came full speed ov er the trembling boards. She perceived the driver had lost all command over his horse, who frightened by the noise of the falling waters, with nostrils extended, seemed to spurn control, and drawing himself up prepared to jump from the bridge, when Letty, running forward, opened the gate. The furious animal rushed through, and before she could retreat, a violent blow from the wheel felled her to the ground. A stranger passing stopped the horse, while the gentleman, whose life Letty had pre served, jumped from the gig and car ried her to the house. She had re ceived a sevrere blow on the temple, and the effusion of blood was with difficultv stanched. The stranger waited till she recovered ; then leav ing a well filled purse on the table, he bade them adieu. A week hud elapsed since this acci dent, when the stranger returned. Lettv was sitting up, supported by pil lows: illness shed over her counte nance a languor, which, though it took from its bloom, gave it an air of refine- 4 ment and add d to its interest. Even) the black handkerchief that bound herj brow set off the snowy clearntss of her complexion, while the drooping eyelid displayed its long dark lashes, that gave a rich expression to a pair of eyes of heaven s own blue. Letty thanked the gentleman, m her son tones and artless language for the at tention he had shown her, and ex pressed her regret at occasioning so much trouble, in such a simple yet graceful manner, as astonished her visiter. Mr. Thornly, as he announced him self, became a frequent guest at the cottage, and often condescended to share their humble repast. Indeed he seemed to forget, while listening to the conversation of his untaught girl, that he had mixed with the learn ed and witty, and the fashionable. He brought her books, and while in structing her mind, he won her affec tions. At length he returned to his party at Lak George ; although un conscious of the motive, in every ex cursion his steps were directed to Glen cottage, and his spoils, game, fish, and even a wreath of flowers, were used as a pretext for a visit. But as much as he revered the old mar. and admired his daughter, Mr. Thorn ly never mentioned their names to his gay companions, or led them near the retreat of Butler, who delighted to talk of him to his friend the Domi nie ; the old man, who, as I hinted be fore, did not possess much worldly wisdom, expressed his impatience to see their new friend, nor did he read in Letty 's downcast eye and burning cheek tae secret ot her bc?soxn. Meantime some business called Thornly home, and detained him some weeks; Convinced how dear the simple rustic had become to him, he sighed, and wished she was well born ; how gladly would he marry her! and his heart swelled with rap ture at the idea of passing his life with her; but it chilled him to think she was a toll-gatherer's daughter. He determined to forget her ; but the next moment he thought of her so love ly and gentle, and set off for Glen's Falls. His heart beat when he mark ed the flash of joy that lit upon Letty's beautiful ey.es when she saw him. Thornly talked of love; although Letty was silent, her blushes plainly showed what her lips durst not u:ter. One day as they were strolling through the woods that lined the banks of the stream, Letty interrupted her lover in the midst of his ardent declaration, by looking up with a blushing cheek, as she innocently said, 44 but I am too young to marry." 44 Marry !" said Thornly with the air of a man just awakened from a dream ; oh ! we will not think of that, my dear Letty ; and throwing his arms around her, contin ued, 44 we can love without marriage." Letty withdrew from his embrace, and said in an earnest tone, 41 then although vou love me dearer than life, vou do not think of marriage ?" Thornly was rather disconcerted, but replied, 4 my family, dearest girl, is rich and honorable' 4 and I am the daughter of a beggar,' said Letty. 4 1 see it is all in vain, weak girl that I was. But you, sir, though a great and rich man, should at least have been a merciful one.' 4 Better,' said the poor girl, unable to suppress her tears, k better to have left me to die on the road, than to break my heart.' As half choaked with sobs, she uttered these words, she hastened from her astonished lover. He followed her imploring her pardon. Letty stopped, and with an effort that sent the blood to her heart, bade him depart forever, and not forget that her father, though old and infirm, could protect his child from insult. There is a dignity in virtue that even in the simple words of Letty awakened her dissolute admirer. A woman of polished education might have expressed her sentiments in a fir mer and more touching language, but she could not have shown greater firm ness and dignity than did the humble rustic. Letty walked or rather ran home, and throwing herself on the bed, she literally 4 lifted up her voice and wept bitterly Violent agitation working on a mind unused to great emotion produced a fever, which jeopardized her life for some days. Her parents and her friend the minister watched by her bedside in sorrow. Her life was granted to their tender prayers. Let ty recovered, but she was no longer the cheerful being who gladdened the hearts of her friends. The minister related her history to a lady in the neighborhood, who, interested by her storv, sent frequently for Letty, and becoming attached to her, prevailed upon the parents to consent to her re siding with her. entirely, while she be stowed upon the old man a comforta ble house, and a small but well stocked farm. INIrs. W. had retired from a world of which she had seen too much and knew too well, to love. But she had brought to her retirement a mind well cultivated, and a fund of useful knowledge. Sht took delight in open ing to her protegee these copious stores ; and while she imparted sub stantial knowledge, she also gave her a refinement of taste and manners, of which, from her education, she was necessarily destitute. Two years glided on ; but in the midst of her benevolent plan Mrs. W. died, and Letty returned to her pa rents, wiser but not happier. She had gained refinement and cultivation, but had not that willingness to be happy, if I may so express it, that marked her earlier days. The simple pleasures that once would have caused her heart to beat with rapture, were now dull and vapid ; and she was shocked to perceive that the recollection of "the luxuries she enjoyed at her friend's mansion, rendered her at first discon tented with the humble habits of her father's cottage. At this period a neighboring farmer, young and weal thy, offered his hand to Letty. Her parents urged her to accept him, and at length she consented to give her hand, but protested that she could not bestow her heart. A week before the intended marriage was to take place, as one evening the family were enjoying at the porch of the house the j cool breezes ot twihgnt, an exclama tion of alarm from Letty caused her father to look up from his bible, when he recognized the features of Thorn ly. 4 Come not here young man,' said the indignant father ; 4 depart while you may in peace.' 4 One word,' said Thornly ; and passing the old man, he threw himself at Letty's feet and im plored her forgiveness. 4 I have been a wretched wanderer, he said, but with Letty's pardon and yours, sir,' turning to Butler, 4 1 shall find happi ness and rest.' It is not necessary to state, the long loved Thornly did not plead in vain. The farmer was dis missed, and in a week the lovers were united by the venerable pastor. Though moving in polished circles and fashionable society, Thornly ne ver had cause to blush for the toll gatherer's DAUGHTER. ELEGANT COMPLIMENT. Dr. Johnson has often been unjustly accused of having been rude in his man ners towards females : we never heard a more flattering reply than that he once made to Miss Reynolds, the sister of Sir Joshua. Miss Linley, afterwards the first wife of Mr. Sheridan, was then at the height of her celebrity ; and Dr. Johnson went one evening to drink tea with Miss Reynolds, according to a ptevious ap pointment. When he entered the room, Miss Reynolds said 44 See, Dr. Johnson, what a preference I give your company, for I had an offer of a place in a box at the Oratorio, to hear Miss Linlcy sing: but I would rather sit with you.' 44 And I, madam," replied Johnson,' 44 would rather sit with you than sit upon a throne." rnn? tiie bichmoxd exhuirer. ORIGINAL ANECDOTE. During the administration of William Pitt the younger, at the lime when Mr. Acldington (now Lord Sidmouth) was Speaker in the 15rtish House of Com mons, I often repaired to the gallery of St. Stephen's Chapel ; and more especial ly in the winter season, listened for whole 1 nights to the speeches of all the great parliamentary debaters. The Speaker, clerk and chaplain commonly arrived a bout two o'clock, P. M. Prayers were sometimes read when only these individu als were in the house. After this, the speaker, by the exertion of the officers in attendance, usually obtained a quorum for business, . e. forty members, about three o'clock. As soon as he had counted this number, scores of private acts before twi light were read a first, second or third time ; and indeed, every transaction, not of general interest, was concluded. At the period to w hich I refer, no great pub lic measure was debated, in the British House of Commons, until the minister appeared and candles were lighted. Mean while, it was a custom for most of the members who meant to be present only when great questions were agitated, to appear in the house between 3 and 5, P. M. take particular seats, place their name up on them written on a small piece of pa per, and immediately go out again and perhaps not return till after they had din ed at a coffee-house contiguous to the lobby. It happened one day when I occupied the front seat in the gallery of the House of Commons, where I sometimes remain ed five hours before any debate began, that I observed a member, a respectable coun try gentleman, J. Johnston, Esq. enter the house early, take his seat, and then after placing his name on it, go out again. Soon after I beheld this piece of paper, by a puff of air, wafted from that seat. Mean while, a member by the name of Summer came into the house, and took the same seat as vacant, and retained it for several hours. At length, about 7 in the evening, while a committee of the whole house were in eager debate, Mr. Johnston enter ed, and stalking up directly to the seat', now filled by Summer, in a boisterous tone demanded it as his right. To this demand Summer demurred whereupon Johnston seized him by the shoulders and forcibly laid him sprawling on the floor cursing him and the Speaker, with the lungs of a Stentor. Summer arose and f smote him. 44 Order" 44 Order" Chair" ct Chair" 44 Adjourn, adjourn" was voriferated from all quarters of the house. Many members, the friends of the com batants, rushed in between them. Four or five of the stoutest, aiding the, proper officers of the house, (after rejnstrance had proved unavailing,) laid 'Violent hands upon Johnston, and by main force lugged him out of the house into the lobby, and then into a hackney coach. Half an hour had elapsed before the strife and uproar could be quelled, or the debate proceeded. Meanwhile the minister, the speaker, and the leaders of opposition concurred in the opinion, that Johnston must apologize in his seat for such outrage, and submit to the reprehension of the Speaker and house the next day. The next day the gallery and hons were thronged. Johnston in his seat, bas ing called upon, arose and addressed the chair in a few disjointed sentences to this effect Mr. Speaker, they tell me I was very drunk yesterday, and that I be haved ill and made a great uproar. I be lieve, Mr. Speaker, that you and ether members here often get drunk too, and behaving as I did, are the next day asham ed of it. I did not mean to insult vou or any body else." Here Johnston was in terrupted by peals of laughter, and shouts of 44 Hear him, hear him." The Speak er at length obtained a pause, and assum ing gravity, nut the question to the House 44 Is the apology of the disorderly mem ber satisfactory r" 44 Aye, was re-echoed in unanimous acclamation ; and thus ended a more clamorous and unruly scene than I ever witnessed before or since, in any deliberative assembly. C. EVIDENCE OF CHRISTIANITY. The most illustrious evidence of the divine origin of Christianity, and that evi dence to which its great Author inoct confidently appealed, when called upon to prove the authority of his mission, consisted in the exercise of miraculous powers. The miracles of Christ were so frequent.,, that they could not be tho effects of chance ; so public, that they could not be the contrivance of fraud and imposture ; so instantaneous , that they could not result from any preconcerted scheme ; and so beneficial in their imme diate consequences, and so conducive to propagate the salutary truths he taught, that they could not proceed from the agency of evil spirits. They must therefore been effected by the interposi tion of that divine power, to which Christ himself attributed them. Our Lord did not come according to the ex pectation of many of the Jews, as tho conqueror of their enemies, to display his policy in council, and his courage in the field : but he was invested with pow ers, that enabled him to triumph over the works of darkness, and suspend the laws of nature. The frequent and pub lic exercise of those powers was essen tial to his character as a teacher sent from God, so that miracles were the full est and the most satisfactory credentials of his divine mission. This divine personage, whose manifes tation to the world was preceded by such a regular train of prophecies; who in stantaneously cured inveterate diseases, and at whose word even the dead arose ; whose mind wasadorned with consummate, wisdom, and whose conduct was distin guished by every virtue ; descended from heaven to deliver a perfect rule of faith and practice, and taught those im portant and indispensable lessons of duty, which are essentially necessary to the present and future happiness of mankind. XXTHACT. u And is it then possible that mortal man should in any sense attain unto per fection ? Is it possible, that wTe who are born in sin, and conceived in iniquity, who are brought forth in ignorance, and grow up in a multiplicity of errors ; whose understandings are dark, our wills biased, our passions strong, our affec tions corrupted, our appetites inordinate, our inclinations irregular-ls it posible, that we who are surrounded with things themselves obscure, with examples evil, with temptations numberless, as the va riety of objects that encompass us Is it possible, that we should make any pro gress towards arriving at perfection ? With men, indeed, this must needs be impossible ; but with God all things are possible. For when we consider on the other side, that we have a perfect rule, and an unerring instructor ; an example: complete' as the divine life, and yet with all the condescensions of human infirmi ty ; motives , strong and powerful as the rewards of heaven, and pressing as the necessity of avoiding endless destruc tion ; assistance mighty as the grace of God, and effectual as the continual gui dance of the Spirit of truth ; when we consider this, I say, we may then per haps be as apt to wonder on the other hand, that all men are not perfect. And yet with all these advantages, the perfec tion, that the best men ever arrive to, is but in a figurative and very imperfect sense, with great allowances, and much diminution, with frequent defects, and many, very many limitations." Bigotry murders religion, to frighten fools with her ghos.
Western Carolinian (Salisbury, N.C.)
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July 17, 1821, edition 1
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