path to her uncle's, she reflected much on the insufficiency of wealth to confer happiness on a family, whose members are neither united by the confidence of affection towards each other, nor by gratitude and love to the Giver of every good.

Charles Grant arrived, and in due time, was introduced to Ann; and the fair reader undoubtedly expects to hear of their mutual and immediate prepossession in each other's favor. Charles Grant, however, was not a man to be fell in love with at first sight. He was plain, almost to ugliness, small and thin, with harsh features, and sallow complexion, and grey eyes, and the only redeeming point in his appearance, was a finely formed forehead, around which his dark hair gracefully clustered. But he was so intelligent and agreeable, and affectionate to his mother and sisters, and so gentlemanly, Ann could not help esteeming his character, and delighting in his society. Three weeks he allowed for his visit, and said, during that time, he should trace all the haunts of his childhood; and he usually persuaded his sisters and Ann to accompany him in his rambles and excursions. Obed Williams, also, dressed in his "very best," always was there, for jealousy of the superior abilities of Charles, and fears that he would gain the favor of Ann, had operated to make Obed fancy himself violently in love with his cousin; and he studiously endeavored to display advantageously before her, what he considered of vast importance, his fine person. He had better have staid. at home. Ann did often see Charles and Obed beside each other, but it was when the one was all animation,-his plain features glowing with intelligence, and his grey eye sparkling with the wit and vivacity that flowed so enchantingly from his lips-while the other stood in stupid or wondering silence, his handsome features dull and unvarying as a barber's block.

It was then that the heart of Ann confessed the truth of the poet's assertion that "Mind, mind is all!"—and though she did not look and love, she listened with such undisguised pleasure, for her mind was all artlessness, that before the "three little weeks" were expired, Charles had dared to whisper his admiration, and had not been forbidden to hope. Obed, at the discovery of his cousin's partiality for his rival, was filled with rage and envy. He declared Charles was wholly influenced by pecuniary motives, and that Ann, like all young ladies, who fancy themselves

educated, despised the laboring class, and thought a professional man only worthy her smiles. This is an observation often urged by farmers. The fault is all their own. No class of men in our own country, are so independent as the agriculturists, and none would be more respected, did they only cultivate their minds as assiduously as their acres. They plead want of leisure;-let them improve what they have the stormy days-the long winter evenings-oppor tunities are not wanting-books are within their reachthe road to honor and high station is open before them, and yet they sit down, not contentedly to be sure, for the soul of an American cannot rest contented in ignorance and obscurity, while light, and knowledge, and energy, and enterprise are with the spirit of liberty, abroad in the world; but they sit down in envious repinings, at the fate which has assigned them the task of tilling the earth, when they should be exerting themselves to obtain that knowledge which will confer honor and dignity on their employment.

Ann Ellsworth did not despise Obed because he was a farmer, but because he was idle and illiterate. Neither was the choice of Charles Grant influenced by pecuniary motives; yet had Ann, with her tastes and education, been poor, he would hardly have dared to whisper his love, till he had acquired the means of supporting her in the style which she would have been apt to have expected from a husband in his station. But all such objections were now obviated by the fortune she would inherit; and while he felt, that had he possessed a princedom, Ann would still be the object of his affection, in preference to any woman he had ever seen, he did not hesitate to avow his partiality because the world might say he was mercenary.

Mr. Williams listened to the application of Charles, for consent to marry his niece, with an air in which anger and exultation were strangely blended. "You are doubtless thinking that Ann has a fortune at her command," said he, with a sneer.

"I have not asked your consent for her fortune, but for her," drily observed Charles.

"My consent is indeed of some consequence in this matter," returned Mr. Williams, with affected solemnity, "But I have my duty to perform. Read that paper, Mr. Grant."

It was the "last will and testament" of Mrs. Ellsworth, and Charles there learned that the consent of Mr. Williams to the marriage of Ann was necessary, otherwise her fortune was forfeited to Obed Williams.

"And read this 'ere paper, too, Mr. Grant," continued Mr. Williams.

It was a paper expressing the wishes of Mrs. Ellsworth that her daughter should marry Obed Williams.

"You see how I am situated," resumed the crafty old man. "My sister knowing her daughter was gay and giddy, and that her fortune would attract the young sparks, who are watching to obtain a rich wife, insisted that I should take the girl and her property as my own, and when she was old enough to marry, give her to my son. My conscience will not permit me to violate the trust."

"Is the young lady apprized of this?" inquired Charles. "O, no-I hoped she would become attached to Obed, and I think she will now, if no other person attempts to engage her affections. I have told you all, sir, because I believe you are a reasonable young man, and will not think it worth while to deprive the girl of her fortune, just for a little foolish fancy. You see, under all circumstances, I cannot give you my consent."

"Have you any objection to my character or situation?" "O, no-but I am determined she shall marry Obed, and I do not think it my duty to give you my consent." "And what if Miss Ellsworth should marry me without it?"

"Then her property shall be my son's. It was the dying request of my sister. The estate was left her by my father, and she said it should never go out of the family. My duty, in such a case, is plain, sir."

"You may look over the will as much as you please," resumed Mr. Williams, sarcastically. "You'll find no flaws, by which you can get the property, after you marry Ann, I promise you. That 'ere will was drawn by as cunning a lawyer as you are, sir."

Charles did examine it, coolly and minutely, till satisfied there were no flaws, he laid it down, saying, "It is not merely on account of the property that I display this interest. I consider my happiness and that of Miss Ellsworth involved. And though I will not believe she can ever prefer your son, notwithstanding he is heir to your estate, and has the reversion of hers in his grasp; yet I own the possibility that she may think our mutual poverty should, for the present, prevent her from giving me the right to protect her, troubles me."

"Do you then intend to marry her without my consent?"

"If I can obtain hers, I shall not hesitate on account of the forfeiture."

"You can do as you please, but I raly thought you had more sense," said Williams, tauntingly.

"And as little feeling and honor as-but good morning, sir," and slightly bowing, Charles departed in search of his beloved. The conversation of the lovers cannot be given at length, but the conclusion was, that Ann, either convinced by the arguments, or melted by the entreaties of Charles, consented to wed him, and immediately.

"I would not urge you thus hastily to unite your fate with mine," said Charles, "while I am poor, and incapable of supporting you as I could wish, had you any relative, except this avaricious uncle, with whom to reside. It is evident that he covets your estate. We will let him enjoy it undisturbed. You would not surely preserve it by marrying Obed."

"I cannot believe my dear mother, were she living, would consent I should marry him," said Ann, weeping-"O why did she sign that cruel paper?"

"Probably when her mind was weakened by sickness," replied Charles. "I am convinced your uncle used artifice to obtain it. But we will leave him to Heaven and his own conscience, and think no more of the matter. If we cannot be rich, my love, we will be happy."

Ann was a gay girl, and fond of society, but she had good sense. She knew she had married a poor man, and though she was a little romantic, she did not allow herself to expect to find in a cottage the luxuries of a palace, or that her husband, from only the income of his profession, could furnish for her the elegancies the rich are at liberty to enjoy. She did not, therefore, anticipate the delight of residing in a fine house, and the parade of a wedding party, and morning calls, and evening entertainments-but was contented to occupy a plain apartment, plainly furnished, and pass the bridal year busily employed with her needle, or her books. It is true, she did, at times, during the long days, feel a little moped-but when the evening came, and freed Charles from his office, how joyfully she greeted his step, and exerted herself to sooth all his cares; and how delightedly she listened to his instructions and advice, while in unreserved confidence she told him all she had read, and all she had thought. Milton's heroine preferred to listen to the truths of philosophy from her husband's lip, rather than the angel's.

Charles, meanwhile, applied himself with all the energy inspired by love and ambition, to the prosecution of his business, and thought every toil and perplexity repaid by the sweet smiles that always awaited him by his own fireside. Thirty years have passed away since they were married. Thirty years make little alteration in the appearance of nature. It is on man and his works that the characters of time are impressed. And probably in no part of the world are changes so apparent as in our beloved country. The spirit of restlessness as well as improvement, pervades our citizens. This would naturally be the case with men, when an extensive country is open before them, and all are at liberty to remove withersoever they please. The spirit of emigration is productive of many good effects, and some melancholy ones. There is a feeling of sadness in the parent's heart while reflecting that the household band, so fondly reared together, will probably, in a few years, be so far, and so widely severed. Let no man, while planning his lofty dwelling, flatter himself he is building for his own posterity-the son of his enemy may inhabit there.

The parents of Obed Williams fondly imagined the estate they had so eagerly toiled to gain and improve, would be highly valued by their son-but they had the grief and mortification of seeing the part assigned him, on his marriage, soon disposed of; and the chagrin and sorrow they endured in consequence of his undutiful and prodigal conduct, it was thought hastened their death. Obed, then, for a few years, revelled in luxury, but finally, increasing debts began to harass him, and as the small estimation in which he knew he had been held, notwithstanding he was heir to the best estate in the country, had always provoked him, he disposed of his property, at a reduced price, and departed for Ohio,-where he flattered himself he should be considered a great man. But the people in the western states have long since learned to distinguish between the ignorant adventurer who has nothing but his own egotism to recommend him, and the man of enterprise and intelligence seeking a wider sphere for the exertion of his talents--and Obed Williams gained nothing by the removal.

There is one event happeneth to all, and the changes of time are alike on the evil and the good. Thirty years have blanched the dark locks of Charles, and planted wrinkles on the fair face of Ann. The vivacity of youth and the glow of beauty must decay, even the ardor of imagination