Indiana American, Volume 15, Number 48, Brookville, Franklin County, 26 November 1847 — Page 1
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Ota COBaTHV OBB OSSJTaT's IITIIMTI-ill Oil NIITIl'l HIIKIi BY C. F. CLAKKSON. BROOKVILLE, INDIANA, FKIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1847. VOL. XV. NO. 48.
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Shaker Elopament aT h aaihor of tieGrw Mountain Boy,1 "May Martin," fca., fce. I was once, upon a warm summer afternoon, journeying on horseback in that wild and picturesque tract of country in New Hampshire which borders on the upper portion of the mountain horn Merrimac, when a dark thunder-cloud, that aad been gilbering unperceived by me in the distance, rose up suddenly from behind the screening hilli, apprising me at once, by its threatening aspect, and the rapidity i with which it was rolling towards me, that a thorough drenching was only to be J avoided by an immediate flight to some place of shelter. I Applying the spur, therefore, I pat my horse to his beat speed, and fortunately succeeded in reaching a substantial-looking farm house by the rotd-eide just as the big, bright drops of rain, as if shaken down by the crashing peal of thuuder that heralded the descent, came merily dancing to the 6iuoking earth. While standing in the open sbed that 1 had been so lucky as to gain, listening to the roar of the elements, and marking that almost teritic sublimity with which a thunder storm in the mountains becomes invested, the owner of the establishment, a fine, hale looking man of forty, came out, and very corteously invited me into the house, adding, at the same time, that be thought from the unpromising appearance of the clouds, I might as well make up my mind at once to remain with him through the night. As it was then late in the afternoon, and the rain still continued to pour down, with little prospect of abating in time for me to resume my journey before dark, I soon concluded to accept the profeired hospitality; when 1 was ushered in by my kind entertainer, and introduead to his interesting family as a stranger who had accepted their poor fare fr the night. I bad already been struck with the appearance of thrilt and good management in every thing about this establishment withont, and my admiration was now equally awakened by the neatness and runic taste of all within, and the quiet and order with which the family concerns seemed to be condected under the superintendance of rat hostess, and one of the most comely and engaging matrons I re member ever to have seen. I very soon discovered my host to be a man of much native shrewdness, and of fixed and well formed opinions en almost all subjects that present themselves; and these qualities, united with a since of sir turner and a goad tact for description, failed not to un part a high degree of piquancy and inter est to his conversation. After the excel lent supper, with which we were soon fa vored. was over, the household affairs reg ulated, and the smaller children disposed of for the nit-tit. the amiable mistress of the house took her knitting work and join ed us in the sittin? room, and addin a still further interest to the converse by her quiet presence, and the well timed and pertinent remarks which she occasionally threw in on the different subjects that were introduced. The conversation at Isnzth turned upon on tbe Shakers, an ee tabiishraent of whom I bad visited that very morr.in?. Perceiving that my host appeared to dissent from any general re mark I lad made in praise of that singular society, I turned to nun and eud.You believe tbem to be an industrious auiet. and verr honest people, surely, do vou not sir!' Imiiutrioua and quiet enough, doubtlei, and just as honest as older peaple, but aot a whit more so,' he repaed Why, I had auppoaed them,' I rejoined, 'net only peculiarly honest and sincere but in a great degree devoid of all those pas aions and vice that most mova and airi tate tbe rest of society.' All that in the interior they generally present, I grant you: but are you willing to take that as a criterion of their true character!' be asked. 'By do means. said I. 'Well. sir. could you lift tbe curtain, and see all this sober and wonderful boneet exterior is sometimes made to conceal, you might perhaps b aiitue less inclined to exempt tbem from the c min jn feelings and frailties of other people. I have half a mind to tell you a story of an affair which occurred some twenty years ago at the very establishment you visited, and would now' 'Now don't husband!' interrupted my hostess, with a deprecating look. 'Only by way of argument, wife, briskly replied the man, casting an arched look at the other. I want lo show bin that lova and intrigue may sometimes be found under a broad brim as well as a narrow one.' 'Oh! pray let us have it- go on go cn, by all means.' I eagerly toterpoaed, de lighted at the novel idea of a love story from such an unpromising source aa that of the Shaking Quakers. v itb another roguish glance at bis a'ightly disturbed though now acquiescent companion, my host, after a brief pause began: It waa a delightful evening in the month of October, and tbe setting aun waa throwing his parting beams over the yel low forest of tbe surrounding uplands, whose banished foliage threw back the mingled atreams of reflected light, and spread a red quivering glow over tbe slumbering waters of the Maacomy and the beautiful meadowa that lie atreached ojog its shores. Nearly the whole or the aj ... an&Ker family, numbering at that time something less than a hundred, were in the field, a abort distance from the pond engaged in gathering the rare fruit of their extensive orchards the women, with their band baskets, picking the choicer kinds for market or wiuter preservation and the men gathering and conveying to the teams, stationed at different pointa of the field for the purpose, that part of the truit which was destined for the ordinary uses oi the society. The almost exact uniformity in the fa.hioa and color tueir dresses produces a singular sameness u me appearance of them all, but th was more particularly the case of the fe males, whoaa neat, prime dresses of never varying elite color, white linen kerchiefs and anowy capa, surmounted by their law pinn bonnets, from which Decried thm, pale visagea, all seemingly mar - its me si ma deraere, dewneaet an
jct expression, lmgm nave disposed an
ordinary spectator, as they were moving about the field aa silent and gestureless as a band of automatons, to look upon them with sensations much resembling those we experience in beholding a flock of wild fowls, where an inspection of one is an inspection of the whole. A closer observer however in examining the facee and figure of each, would have discovered that here, aa well aa elsewhere, nature had not foigotton to be partial in the distribution of her favors, and that here, as well as elsewhere, were those on whom the lift of personal beau ty had not been so altogether charitably bestowed; and among the latter claas there was particularly one whose rounded symetrical person, fair and blooming face, and ntelligent and sweetly expiessive coun tenance, all strikingly contrasted with the drooping forms, plain features and passive, unmeaning looka of most of her unattentive companions. Just aa the last rays of the sinking gun were fading from the lofty summit of the d'tttant Cearsarge, the word was passed I for the people lo leave work and return to! their houses. As the company were promiscuously, though in their usual quiet and unsociable manner, retiring from the neia, one or mem, a dark eyed, com pactly built young fellow of about twen. ty-one, beating a large basket of apples un his ahoulder, contrived to cross the path of the young Quakeress just described. While doing this, and directly be-1st fore her at a few yards distant, he made I seemingly accidental misstep, which I suddenly brought hie basket to the around and sent iu contents rolling over the I grata around, till they met the feet of the approaching maiden, who instantly aad and smiled at the little mishap which had thus oddly interrupted her in her course, the young man immediately I thiew himself upon his knees among the scattered fruit, aa if intent only on gath-l ering it up; but while his hands were bu-1 sily employed for that purpose, his eves turned with a quick, eager look upon the! face of the girl. 'At the elia tree, Martha,' he said; in a I low, hurrisd tone; ineei me at the elm tree, at tne lower end oilhe orchard, im-1 mediately after worship. 'It is dangerous dangerous, Sethi' re-1 plied the maiden, slightly coloring, and I eaating an uneasy glance around her. I 'Now I do beseech the. Martha.' be pre-! sisted imploringly; 'I have matters of I momsnt to rapsrt to thee, and it may be I the leet time yea, it will be, if thee fuse me now. Will thou not come then? 't'erhape,' answerred the girt, alter a hesitating pause, in which ahe threw a look of inquiry and concern upon the youth, bet seemed lo suppress the qiiee-l tion that rose to her lips 'perhaps, if 1 1 can get from the building unnoticed. But thee need not have spilled thy apple for I so poor a purpose, Seth.' I So saying she hastily turned away, and whith Qnicfceced bicds pursued her course after her retreating companions, while! the other now proceeded in earnest to pick tiphissoattered apples. This being completed, he was now about to rise, when looking around hlra, he encounter ed the gaze of a man peering at him from under the low hanging branches of neighboring apple tree. A glance auf ficed to apprise the yoyog mn of the character and obiect of the interloper: for. in the thick dumpy figure, little hook i nose, whitish, gloating eyes and ill omen - ed countenance of Ilia man. he at once recognized one of the leaders of the so-1 cieiy, and the one of all theolhera whose noiice al this juncture he would have been most anxious to avoid. Well, make the most of it, thou vile eeker of accusationa.' indiirnanilv mutlered the yonn man between his teeth. a. with a look ni defiance, lie shoulder - ed hia baaket and proceed homeward fol - lowed ata distance Ly ihe ottect :.' his
averaion, who did not seem inclined lo make any immediate use of such discov eries as ne mignt nave made wtin nisi mai fVvr tha distance) nrecludcd tha noa - sibilitv of his hearing a word that bad been uttered. But, before proceeding any further with our story, H msy now be aa well, perh.n. innMli Iittla mora nartiruiar v f th. ifrront rhrartra w hai introdueed. and aveit to such circumstances of nreviotis occurrence aa mav be necea - sarv for a full understanding of ihe siiualinn in which thev relatively atood to- - - ward each other at the time chosen lor thir introduction. Seth Gilmore had been an orphan almost from his childhood. At the death of his last remaining parent he was taken hnmhv an uncle, an old bachelor of conaiderable properly, te which it was supposed the boy would eventually aucceea. R.u in tha course of a year or two. an...i ., .k nnhoi waa taken 1 BM hm? and. baine of a selfish, intriguing
disposition, he eoon contrived entirely to gau to give herself to reflection, her nat...nnt.m th farmer in the affections of urallv clear and discriminating mind
. - " . . lha rhanveah a unc e. Who not long alter, waa induced to ffive the inoffending in- . .. i. sih imha Shakers of the establishinent of which we apeaking. Here continuing to remain, he became, aa he amnno tha familv for hiB f.;.Kf.,i'-.. ...li.itv .n canacitv for bu lilliwiua"f w J I
.nl kafnra ha had arrived at ineilionoi oi ui rw .'.. ,
OIUKBCt -- t . ... k. ... .nn.Uspd hv IBB Ul IWCI II, o vi.. i-w " J all to be one orihe most akilllui ana eic.i.m fc.nrt. on tha farm. So far nothing ' ' . ...... important had occurred lo him to vary the dull monotony of the Shaker life.rtm .K.uit thia ume Seth began to mini for himself, and become desirous of ob taininff information a veiy great error ha aa latent to believe by the leadera ha hold that irnoiance is the mother j ih.i .ha aiuli and an the w UCTulIKU, .111. ,.. ..... J " -
, common memoera oi me tamny ... - , - -- . ,ul ?: rield implicitly o those who are gifted other.and possessing characters a con- prey of conflicting emotions. r Jrrsink for them and instruct then, in genial aa they were in many respects mem of his malicious peraeci d a hat ieneeessary to be known. TheUatingutshed from those around them,! er, at length drove him i0 a
..mKori ni tha ramiiv anouia
young man, however wilfully presisled
n his notions; and, by the promptings of bis heretical spirit, he sought the acquain-, tance of two or three young men of the world (as all without the pale of the so ciety are termed,) who occasionally visited the establishment for the transaction of business or from motives of courtesy. Being eager ofenquiry as d quick to comprehend, he soon gained information from these which showed him the falsity of many of the strange ideas and impressions he had there embibed respecting society at large, and otherwise afforded him the means of judging from which he had been wholy debarred; for it is the settled policy of the lesders of this people, in order to make faithful and contented su.jecl8, not only to instill into the minds of their youth the greatest possitle abhorrence of the world, which is constantly represented aa dishonest, licentious and every way corrupt, but to guard with untiring vigilance every ave nue of information that might have a ten dancy lo undermine or diminish the prejudices and opinions thus inculcated. Seih's mind, however, when once called into action, was of a cast not easily to be thus trammeled; and the doubts, which his own reason at first suggested, being constantly strengthened by the facts gathered in his intercourse with (hese young men, and the books he borrowed of them, and secretly read, in spite of his masters spiritual and temporal, he length became a confirmed disbeliever in the creed to which he had been brol up, and began seriously to meditate on the expediency of sundering the ties which bound him to the ssclety. But be fore his views had become very definitely
pau-lsetilad on these subjects, or any plans of
future action matured, the Shaker lea Iders themselves made move which was mtenaea to anticipate or remedy any evils (of the character just mentioned that might be growing; tor these wary men who watched the intellectual progress of their youth ee anxiously as ever did a pedagogue his pupils, though with far d if ferenl motives, began to perceive about this time that our hero's mind was be coming rather dangerously expanded; and although not apprised oi trie meana or extent of his information, yet, judg. ing from what they had noticed that he could not long be retained without more than ordinary inducements, they held secret consultation, end finally came to the conclusion that Seth's merits were such as entitled him to promotion. Ac
re-lcordingly they proposed, unexpectedly
to him, to make him assistant deacon, or I one of the overseers of business, naming tome future day not far distant, for him ! to enter on the duties wf hi office, aad be admitted loset with them in the council, which met from time to time to deliber late on the temporal concerna of the fam Hy. This gave a new direction to bis thoughts,and fur a while quieted his gro ing discontent, bull extremely anxious. I however, to know more of ihe world he soon claimed the privilege of going abroal, on missions of trade a privilege which he knew was sorotimes accorded to those exercising the office that had been offered to him. provided they were considered sufficiently tried and trust worthy; but in this fond wish of his heart he was unexpectedly doomed to disap Doiutment for which he was indebted as he soon discovered, to the influence of lone man, the peraon whom we Have al ready introduced as playing the spy upon I the vouna couple in the orchard, lhi man who went by the appellation of El Ider Higsins, had for some lime manifesled to wardaSeih an unusual degree o coldness and distrust, which the latter till 1 now had but little heeded. But thia last act caused his ill will to be heartily re Iciproceted on tha part of the young man 1 and circumstance soon unurteu wmvu i made the breach irreparable. The cir cuir.stsncee were found to ftsve reference lo Ihird person tne and lovely Martha, tot young, rarda innocent whom the tiaer aooui una unw organ u p"1 cou rsa of Conduct as Strange 88 it was questionable I Martha had been orougni to mis esiaolishmenl when eight or len years of age by her parents, oom oi wiium at me same time iotnea me lamiiy, turneu mio the common fund the whole oi tne nine property they possessed. All ihe acknowl 1 edged relations between parent and child from lhat moment eniirely ceasing, the I... .a a.av t at .J Utile girl was leu wnoiy io me (musucc and instruction of the Lldera and tldresees. to whom ihe care oi tne youtn la in trusted; and, through her docility and her meek and confiding disposition, sne nad readily imbibed the doclrinee and, for the greater part of her girlhood, implicitly trusted in the creed that was taught her, exniouing in uer cir...w...j bright patern of all lhat waa esteemed I wood and lovelv among the family. But I. a, . . at as she verted upon womannooa ana oe I L ri... f moveo, pernsps oy iimuiii ... ..v. chiidnooa inai aim nung uuu net, r I..aa a . a . . II L i. .... a W n 1 a observation ahe had madeuaon the con dect of eorue leadera forced upon her questions and double which perplexed her to answer or eolve. Theae.it is true, at - 1 first were often rejected as the lempla I - k
to disturb the ouiet of her pure and gen I - . . tie oowm, iri.g... ... strivings to the contrary, ahe also became, though less decidedly lhan the yomh we have described, a disbeliever, at least in manv dogmas oi mat creed which ahe had been taught to look upon as infalliable. Rnrh waa Martha Hilson; and il was of nothing eirange thai two anch young peranna of the different aexes as Mariha and I , l sen. in mt uuj -
1 . al.
should attract each others particular no-
lice. Nor is it much less to be wondered at, perhaps, that such notice should be followed by the springing up of mutual sympathies in their bosoms; though these sympathies should be defined and acknowledged by their true name, and made known by reciprocal avowals, was indeed, at such a place a rare occurrence. But Love is a cunning deviser of occasions; and, as difficult as it might be in this case, and at length found a way by which the young couple in question eventually discovered the nature of those feelings that were silently drawing their hearts toward each other. For a long time, however, no word or communication ever passed between them, eajer the which was conveyed in the lang,,, :Ufit wie eyes, out alter a wnue tne su I 9 . . l-f-.i waa broken
.aalhev accidentally met bjUf0"be is capable of ange of a few words on some 1 affv . - hpquenlly with for--j u .. i.nbt allow, rp.W1 . .... ;,
ihe enlerch common topic; and at length on some similar chance occasions, succeeded a proposal on his part to loan her a book, which, after some hesitation she accepted uh a promise to peruse and return at time and place which be proposed for the purpose. An excuse for the meeting being found, occasional interviews fol lowed, though at none of them was a word breathed by either expressive of those feelings of which each fell a trembling consciousness as the true secret of heir being thus together. These inter views, moreover, were of the briefest kind, and indulged in but very rarely; for, aware that it was one of the distingtiishng articles of iheir creed that 'the corrup tion of man is the attachment of xei,' and consequently all intercourse which might lead lo such atltachmeiit should be stricily forbidden, they knew how closely they were watched, and how eurely penace of some kind or other would folow a detection of Iheir meetings, howev er innocent the object; and such had been the extreme caution with which this intercourse had been managed, that they felt sure it could not have been discover ed, and they supposed it remained wholy unsuspected. In this supposition, how ever, they soon found they had over-con-fidently counted. Something in the de meanor, aome unguarded look when thev publicly met, or some brief absence of both at the same time, had attracted the nonce of the prying Higgins; and, his jealousy being thus aroused, he commen cea a system or secret espoinase upon the young couple which would have con ferred credit on a minion of the inquisi tion; The result was that he became con vinced of the existence of a forbidden at tachment growing up between them, though wholy unable to ascertain it for fart, of hoi ling clandestine Interviews. ine personage, whose manner was as hateful as his countenance was disagree able, and whose character was a etrange compound of the fanatic, theJesuile and the voluptuary, was an elder in ihe church In which, though his pretensions to lea diner gifts or direct revelations from above, and his intrigueing and ambitious disposition, he had gained an influence even greater perhaps, than the Elder Brother himself, as chief ruler of each Shaker family is denominated; and his ambition being not content with his spir itual dominion, he aspired lo, and by similar meana obtained, an equal ascendency in the management of the business and temporal concerns of the establishment. - Exacting the most rigid obedience from all, requiring the most implicit fsiih in all ihe ultra doctrines of his creed, and ever uniiiing in searching out delinquen ciesiu others, while he shielded hisown under the very convenient dognca handed down uy Momer Anne iee lor the spe cial benefit of the peculiar gifted like him self 'that to the pure all things are pure,1 he had become fairly an obiect of dread among the people. For these reasons, then, if they had no other, it w ill be read ily seen how much our two young friends had to fear from the sanctimonious elder; but they had additional reasons. He had for aome time shown himself remarkably sensitive in everything that related to Martha; and no sooner were his suspicions fairly awakened 'n respect to ihe attachment of her and Seth, thai she was summoned lo meet at the confessional alone, and in one of the most secluded rooms of the buildings. This was several times repeated, to the great horror of the distressed maiden and the agonizing fears of Seth, who became apprised of the circumstance, and but loo well conjectured iheaecret motives of the Elder in summoning her, instead of him to meet him in private.though what passed on these or j casions he had no other meana of jt . than by the mingled expressions o1y to and outraged feeling ihai very marked ihe tear stained race or the poor girl for hours after her return from the scene of her trials. With Seth a different course waa la ken; and, though no rebuke was administered, nn word hinted to him respecting the offence of which he, in common with Martha was suspected to be guilty, he yet soon found lhat he was not for lhat reason any the less marked for punishment. He soon discovered lhat the El der was secretly attempting to undermine his character with the family, while a system of petty annoyance was mnde to meet hitn in every thing he did, nil his i life became one or constant vexsti.m and . . misery, and.heing no longer tempted with the proffered office without the coveted privilege of g ning abroad; he again be gan to meditate about leaving the society. But checked in this wish by a want of confidence in hia ability to succeed in the world of which he waa ao little informed, and all by hia love for Martha and .his apprehenaiona for her aafety, marked aa he believed ahe waa aa the victim t-f the licentious Elder, he here also became the The treatperaecuior, howevfinal decis-
ion; and, having formed new plan in regard lo his fair friend, whom he had been ao reluctant to leave, he waits only for an opportunity of seeing her alone (from which, through the precautions of the Elder, he had been debarred,) before carrying his resolve into execution. With these remaika we will now return to ihe events which formed the introduction of our story. On returning to their buildings, after the labor of the field were over, the family as usual soon repaired lolhe rooms al
lotted to their daily repasts. For this purpose three tables were always spread in different buildings one for the ordinary male members, one for the females, - or tne leaders, tne two lormer '-ir ' "rinn." jaynrtiie the latter is loaded eign luxuries; dignitaries, ifi they donotalwajs go on the principle of indulgence involved in the reported saying of the Elect Lady, whose authori ' ty we have before quoted, that 'spirituous liquor is one of God's good creatures. have at least no hesitation in acting generally on the assumption lhat the gift of good living is peculiarly their own. Immediately after supper the whole family assembled in the house especially consecrated lo lhat purpose; but so well known is lhat meaningless mood of wor ship iheir long drawn, nasal chant of Hottentot gibberish, set to the 'inspired' tune of perhaps Nancy Dawson, (for their words they contend are inspired) their formal, unvarying, kangaroo like dance, performed with uplifted hands and various contortions of features or the occasional exhibition, by some fleshy inspired elder oreldress, of a new gift for clapping the hands, for shaking, jerking, jumping,stamping and groaning so well known are all these lhat we will pass over them for matters more immediately connected with our story; and for thia pur pose we will now repair lo tbe trysting tree of the persecuted lovers, who had generally, aa now, fixed upon for their interview the hour immediately succeed ed worship, which was allowed the fam ily for attending to their individual con cerns, and which, therefore, afforded op. portunity for the absence less likely to be noticed by the Argus-eyed leadera. ine oroaa, origm narvesi moon, rising majestically over the hills, was beginning!
to pour down her floods of quivering : knows, Martha, tha: the love of which I light upon the quiet scene now striking apeak, when crowned by marriage, is alupon the taller, ihen the shorter ahubbery ) 'owed and approved by the good and wise
of Ihe field, and seemingly converting its pendent boughs into glittering tissues of silver now bursting in brightness upon the waveless waters of the pond, and now glancing abroad upon the whole of the1 surrounding landscape, and lighting it up with her dim and solemn splendors. The young man, the first to reach ihe,
spot, stood pensively leaning againal the pretend, we should preserve it.' trunk of a wide branching elm atanding 'Thee bewilderiet me. Seih I will conbut a ahort distance from ihe margin 0f,'eethatl have at timea thought there is
the water. As ihe moonlight gleamed1"11 10 a l., ".W U'T1 1 h4'e across his face, tokens of deep and .true-i" te" iiJ ? ? l pr,omp- ' . . . i tings of vain fanciee or sinful inclinations: gl.ng emolions were there visibly depict- and it i8e0 Jifferent (rom wh,. hllv1 ...
ec;ana even a tear mignt ne seen occasionally to start out and glitter upon his manly cheek. Presently the white, fluttering robe of a female waa eeon among the obstructing tress of tbe orchard, and rapidly gliding towards tbe spot. In another moment the light figure rushed into the open arms of the youth, their hesds were dropped on each other's shoulders, and for a brief interval, not a word was spoken. 'Oh Martha, Martha!' at length uttered the young man in tones of deep and troubled leeling, and again was silent. 'Tbee seems much agitated to-nigbt, Seth,' said the girl in a meek, inquiring manner, after waiting awhile for the other to proceed. I am, Martha,' replied he; 'my heart is indeed tried, most sorely tried.' And why art thee thus disquieted. Seth!' again asked the girl: 'and why,' she continued, in tones of tender expostulation, 'why hast thee urged me to this meeting, when thee knows that I am not without my doubts and misgivings about my communing with thee in this manner, and when also thee so well knows tbe gieal risk we both run of beiog discovered and punished. and 1 being brought to shame before the people, or in other fsarful ways!' 1 know I know all, Maitha, and I should be grieved to be the means of causing thee trouble. But so many things have happenod sines we met, and lJ.'.nfcito much which I desired to i :? f"vdr. I could ,. .... VS quality ana warn . , not find it in a4fso 3 without seej.tjtroV.MjfofTs- gicv h. Aiir aj seemed te, thou well con-"'-ve wing every ihinent to the Elders soften! v. I can no lontrer ed to see the womtJsusage 1 bav received; be sure, Ihioiger endure to be a slave a iV-r'e,veltr Wose who would fetter and de grade both the body and the mind; and I have determined that thia night I will leave them. 'But whither would thee go! into the wide, wicked world!' If I thought, Martha, I should find the people of the world more wicked than some of those I shall leave behind, I would re main. But it is not tba. which now perplexes and troubles me.' If we have been taught aright, Seth,i what abould trouble thee more!' Ay, if aright; but thee knowa my npin. ionaof tbe absurdity of our creed, and the falaity of half that is told us. No, it is no scruples of that kind, hut my doubts and leara about the reception I may meet with in tbe world of whose ways I know so little, and in which I must appear ao foolish and awkward. I am ingnorant Martha, ignorant aa a child, of all that I should know. But does not that spring from pride of heart, Setb, which, under any good reed. Ihee abould strive lo banish! U appear to roe thee ahould have better reasons. Well I have other reaaoos, and much atronger enea, I confeaa, with me; but I know not that thee would consider them better. It ia 'and tbe youth paused and heaitated, while tbe wondering maiden tbrew an innocent and inquiring look upon bis sorrowful and sgatatsd countenance
it ie.'be resummed, at length mastering
oi. emouoDs. -me thought of leaving thee. ...... u., wa.co wrings my heart leaving tbee among thia people to be subjected to tbe wiles sod prosecutions of that wicked and designing OL1 rame him not. Seth, name him net! quickly interrupted tbe girl with a shudder, which but too plainly told both her fears and abhorrence of tbe man about to be mentioned. 'oM ,no1' Martha, but I have noticed that which has filled me with alarming conjeciures-with fears for thv safety; -m . .rwuiu mm inee tea me what be proffers to thee.' 'I cannot I cannot; but, oh! if thee knew my troubles Seth' and the poor girl, at the thought thus called up. dropped Ler head upon the other's shoulder, and wept as if her heart would break. The wretch! the accursed wretch!' exclaimed the young man bitterly. Nay, nay, do not curse, Seth.' sobbed tbe girl, making an effort to check ber emotion: that is a gift belong.ng. I think, only to the Great One above, who metes out justice to tbe ainful, not as man metes under the influence of blinding passions, but according to the proper measure, and He, we must remember, can protect the innocent as well as punish the guilty; and. though my trials are indeed sore, yet I trust that Good Being will atill. as He baa done, preserve me guiltless and unharmed.' Each being absorbed in the thoughts and feelings which tbe conversation had excited, there was here a abort pause in the discourse, during which tbe maiden gently disengaged bsrself from tbe partial embrace of the other, and wiping her eyes, seemed to resume hernsual tranquilly. 'Martha,' at length said tha vountr man. nu an air or emoarrassment and a alight.) ly tremulous arrpnt. What would tbee say, Seth. asked tbe maiden, composedly, perceiving thai the other hesitated logo on. Martha, does thee love me!' resumed the youth with an effort. Why-why .'replied she. now heaitatinrr in turn, 'why, we are commanded to love one another, are we not.' Ay, Martha; but does thee regard me with that feeling the world calls lova!' I hardly know what to tell tbee Setb. I have often greatly feared that my heart waa an erring one. I have tried to bestow my love on all but I may have sometimes thought, perhaps, that thee waa getting rather more than thy share.' Tby words are precious to my heart, Martha. Let us. then, cherish tint feel,ng mwarcs each other, and oormit it to lead us to its natural consummation. Thee oi Dierj met Duiour own. i nee knows, too, that it is sanctioned and blessed by thee good book, which I lent tbee on purpose that tbaa might read the whole, instead of only such parts as our elders would Lave us take for our guide, cunningly denying ua the free uee of the book I because they fear to have ua read and reason upon the rest not because, as they waye been taught to believe right, that It sometimes makes me tremble lest I should at last be left to harbor a belief which may be wrong in itself, and prove ruinous to my soul's interest.' It is not wrong,' warmly urged the young man 'it ia not wrong, Martha. It ; is right tby reason tells tbre it ia right. j All nature confirms it. The Bible, when properly consulted, also answers yea. Come, then, Martha, come with me. Let us go into tbe world, where there will be no mean apiea to dog and torment us; no tyrants to pervert our innocent actions, and make them an excuse for prosecuting tbe foulest designs, and none to molest or make us afraid where, united aa one nev er more to part, we will live, be free to love, and in that love, and freedom find our solace, our comfort, and our lasting icncity. tome, come fear not, itb my own hands I will support thee in my own bean I will cherish thee.' 'Uh! tempt me not tempt me not. seth!' Sooner would I suffer all that wick ed men could inflict than lead thee aatray I think it I mean it for thy good as much aa lor my own happiness. It is not temp tation it i6 but tbe pleadinga of wiedem and of love. Fly with me, then, thia night and this hour fly with me from the dan gers and miseries that here beset thee lo safety and happiness.' (CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.) Makkied. On Wednesday, October 13ih, 1547, by Rev. F. A. Tiruroons. the Rev. Basil. K. PaaTUia, of the Indiaia conference, to Miaa Mst A. Clevea, Hamilton county, O. Lisd, of Another "Mexican JFAi" prenartnr for Ihe ir ar. Col.G. Barbour, of Prince - ton Ky,, has been engaged for some weeks in raising a battalion of Cavalry for service in Mexico. He had a few days since, about 380 men, and tbe ranka were fast filling up. It ia his intention when the Battalion ia filled and tbe organization complete, lo lender it to the President, and we hope it will be received. Mr. B. is a gentleman ei intelligence, of great kind ness of heart and of true chivalry. Frank furt Commontct alih. I Rilet. We understand that Riely. the deserter and traitor, has a cousin living in this city, an Irishman, though peruana born in thia country, (we acknowledge the bull.) who snares not in the L ast his infamous kinsman. He saya the deserter rever was, as has been said, in the British service but saya he waa born near West Point, N. Y , where many of hia family now live. JVemphis Eagle. JEJ-Tbe Perry County (Pa ) Democrat recommends Governor Shuns, aa tbe Locofoco candidate for tbe Presidency in and the Iloylestown Democrat endorses tke recommendation. fjrThe Freeman's Journal sta'.aa that Ml. P. Thomas, a Dentist of this city, and formerly a respected and influential Campbollite preacher, baa recently entered in'o communion with the Roman Catholic Ckuroh. A". Y. Courisr.
POLITICAL.
NEW YORK. In New York there baa been a serious quarrel in tbe Democratic ranks. Two State Conventions have been held ia which one denounces tbe other. They are called Hunkers and Barnburners. Croswell. of the Albany Argue is at tbe bead of tbe Hunkers. In the State Convention, the Hunkers prevailed. The Barcburnera therefore, shortly after, held another con vention at Herkimer. Varioua resolutions were adopted, antagonistical to tbe regu. Jar convention. Under thia state of things. tbe wbigs hive had i glorious triumph in tbe late elections. Lately the barnburner bad a meeting' at Albany. John Van Buren. a son af th Kinderhooker. and. who waa an active spirit at Herkimer, made a speech, af which tbe following ia a extract; Mr. J. Van Buren said: "We have been told by tbe Union ih organ of the government at Washington that it was wrons for the oeonle of tha North to meet and discuss the Wilmol Proviso. Mr. Ritchie, tbe editor of that journal is a man of talent, and agreeable manners. But be mistakes bia vocation if he thinks it any part of his province to lecture tbe Freemsu of New York. Cheers. He has recently been transla ted Laughter from Vinpinia to Washington, to take care of the democratic family. His predecessor was an able man, aad bad led ihe democracy through many successful battles. Rut what has .Mr. Kitcbie to show, that he has. iD anv da. -jgree. contributed either to the bar monv. " T ' uwmVa o( lhf democracy! Argane" " 0" strongly democratic lbal you could hard'y find '"earcb Jwarr'ni; ughter and yet it ia j now under tbe dominion of the whig'. Ten"C8ece n" ?" rres.dent. and borne of the i once a pillar in the democratic temla has lapsed, and now rests in tbe arms of whiggery; although there has been Executive patronage enough bestowed upon ber citizens within two yeara to have converted Massachusetts herself! Great laugh, ter. And Massachusetts, whose democracy had more than once triumphed, during the editorial reign of Mr. Ritchie's predecessor, is now so sunken tbst it can reject a reso'ution of Freedom! Not only so, its democracy has so far degenerated that it can nominate a 'fixed fact' aa the progressive democratic' candidate! Excessive laughter. Pennsylvania alone beara up the old democratic banner; and she is the home of the author of the Wilmot Proviso. Mr. V. B in view of these facta, expressed tbe hope that if tbe people of New York were to elect a tutor from south of the Potomac, thay might have the uaual privilege of making an examination of hia qualities thenieelvea. The editor of tbe Union says that tha ordinance of 1767 is an 'interpolation' in the Democratic Creed. This is not tha first time this gentleman has denounced democratic measures aa 'interpolatiuna.' He seems to deem the democratic creed to be composed, like tbe creed of the Synod of Dorr, of a certain numher of Articles, revocable only by the Synod itself. lL.augbierj air. Kitchie declared Gen. Jackson s Proclamation against Nullifica tion an 'interpolation.' But would any citixen of New York, if he had been called upon to maintain lhat Proclamation, hava scanned the requisition to ascertain wheth er it contained an abstract declaration of democracy When tke process of Freedem is issued, it does not become Freemen to higgle about tbe terms of the process. rr 'I..-.- l Ho when the Independent Treisurv waa broached. That was an 'interpolation,' ia the opinion of Mr. Richie, not to be ad mitted into the democratic creed. Bui when tbe Annexation of Texas was made an issue by tbe Baltimore Convention, you didn't bear him say anything about 'inter notations. He took il up and carried it forward with aa much satisfaction and seal as if it had been one of tbe oldest articles intliecode of democracy. Laughter Mr. V B., in view of all ibis, begged leave to say lo that distinguished gentlemanif words from so humble a personage could reach him that his protest against the movements of the Freemen of New York, waa a foreign protest, which, by the laws oi tbe Empire Slate, bad ao validity. Cheers. We have, continued Mr. V. B . followed soutbern lights to tha very vsrge of free loin. We have followed their will-o'-the. wispa ao far that, if we go farther, there ia danger that we may be mired. Here a'ter be for one abould be guided hy the light of Liberty: he should be goided by the light of pure patriotism; by the light of Human r reeuom. id snort, oy the JVurthtrn lifht'l Immense cheering and ap plause 1 If Mr. Ritchie supposes that a democratic rred can be made for the North aa it ia made for the South, where democracy stands still under every stimulant to progress, be mistakes tbe temper of the p regressive democracy of the North. Cheers II such a thing could be, he might have the principles of 9'S' as the eternal pnnciplea of ihe democratic party. But ia the State of New York amidst ber gigantio energies and ber devotion to Freedom and progress tbe man who desires lo keep pace with the spirit of tbe age and with the onward movement of the democracy, must move on with il, or be rode over and crusked. Cheers He muei raise his eyes from tbe tow-path of southern apathy and look out upon the broad ocean ol r raedora be must lay down his jevs-harp and hearken to tbe shrill bugle-blast of progreas he must lay down his pop gun and listen to the shouts of the millions of Frsemsn who are determined to plant the standard of Liberty upon all free soil conquered by the treaaure and blood of freemen. Immense cheering 1 If Mr. Ritchie will dn this he may then deem him. elf possessed of the dignity of character which will justify him to lecture the democracy of New York, not before. We are told, continued Mr. V. B., lhat we are opposed te ihe pending War with Mexico. ThH charge ia brought against us l y lhat great fighter of the Argue, Edwin Croswell! Great laughter. It ia a Blender tu bring this charge agatn.t
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