Alonzo and Melissa; Or, The Unfeeling Father: An American Tale, Page 8

made? What were the prospects before him but penury,want, misery, and woe! Where, indeed, were the means by which Melissawas to be shielded from poverty, if connected with his fortunes. Theidea was not new, but it came upon him with redoubled anguish. He aroseand looked around for Melissa, but she was not to be seen. He left thehouse, and walked slowly towards Vincent's. At a little distance he metMelissa, who had been strolling in an adjoining avenue. He informed herof all that had passed; it was no more than they both expected, yet itwas a shock their fortitude could scarcely sustain. Disappointmentseldom finds her votaries prepared to receive her.

  Melissa told Alonzo, that her father's determinations were unchangeable;that his sister (the before mentioned maiden lady) held a considerableinfluence over him, and dictated the concerns of the family; and thatfrom her, there was nothing to hope in their favour. Her mother, shesaid, was her friend, but could not contradict the will of her father.Her brother would be at home in a few days; how he would act on thisoccasion she was unable to say: but were he even their friend he wouldhave but feeble influence with her father and aunt. "What is to be theend of these troubles, continued Melissa, it is impossible to foresee.Let us trust in the mercy of heaven and submit to its dispensations."

  Alonzo and Melissa, in their happier days, had, when absent,corresponded by letters. This method it was now thought best torelinquish. It was agreed that Alonzo should come frequently toVincent's, where Melissa would meet him as she could find opportunities.Having concluded on this, Melissa returned home, and Alonzo to the houseof his friend.

  Vincent, after Alonzo had related the manner of his reception atMelissa's father's, urged the plan he had projected of a privatemarriage. Alonzo replied, that even should Melissa consent to it, whichhe much doubted, it must be a measure of the last resort, and adoptedonly when all others became fruitless.

  The next morning Alonzo returned to the hut where his aged parents nowdwelt. His bosom throbbed with keen anguish. His own fate, unconnectedwith that of Melissa, he considered of little consequence. But theirunited situation tortured his soul.--What was to become of Melissa, whatof himself, what of his parents!--"Alas, said Alonzo, I now perceivewhat it is to want the good things of this life."

  Alonzo's father was absent when he arrived, but returned soon after.A beam of joy gleamed upon his withered countenance as he entered thehouse. "Were it not, Alonzo, for your unhappy situation, said he, weshould once more be restored to peace and comfort. A few persons whowere indebted to me, finding that I was to be sacrificed by my unfeelingcreditors, reserved those debts in their hands, and have now paid me,amounting to something more than five hundred pounds. With this I havepurchased a small, but well cultivated farm, with convenient tenements.I have enough left to purchase what stock and other materials I need;and to spare some for your present exigencies, Alonzo."

  Alonzo thanked his father for his kindness, but told him that from hisformer liberality he had yet sufficient for his wants, and that heshould soon find business which would amply support him. "But youraffair with Melissa, asked his father, how is that likely to terminate?""Favourably, I hope, sir," answered Alonzo. He could not consent todisturb the tranquillity of his parents by reciting his ownwretchedness.

  A week passed away. Alonzo saw his parents removed to their little farm,which was to be managed by his father and a hired man. He saw themcomfortably seated; he saw them serenely blest in the calm pleasures ofreturning peace, and a ray of joy illuminated his troubled bosom.

  "Again the youth his wonted life regain'd, A transient sparkle in his eye obtain'd, A bright, impassion'd cheering glow, express'd The pleas'd sensation of his tender breast: But soon dark glooms the feeble smiles o'erspread; Like morn's gay hues, the fading splendours fled; Returning anguish froze his feeling soul, Deep sighs burst forth, and tears began to roll."

  He thought of Melissa, from whom he had heard nothing since he last sawher.--He thought of the difficulties which surrounded him. He thought ofthe barriers which were opposed to his happiness and the felicity ofMelissa, and he set out for the house of Vincent.

  * * * * *

  Alonzo arrived at the residence of Vincent near the close of the day.Vincent and his lady were at tea with several young ladies who hadpassed the afternoon with Mrs. Vincent. Alonzo cast an active glancearound the company, in hopes to find Melissa, but she was not there. Hewas invited and accepted a seat at table. After tea Vincent led him intoan adjoining room. "You have come in good time, said he. Something mustspeedily be done, or you lose Melissa forever. The day after you werehere, her father received a letter from Beauman, in which, aftermentioning the circumstance of your father's insolvency, he hinted thatthe consequence would probably be a failure of her proposed marriagewith you, which might essentially injure the reputation of a lady of herstanding in life; to prevent which, and to place her beyond the reach ofcalumny, he offered to marry her at any appointed day, provided he hadher free consent.

  "As Beauman, by the recent death of his father, had been put inpossession of a splendid fortune, the proposition allured her father,who wrote him a complaisant answer, with an invitation to his house.--Hethen strove to extort a promise from Melissa, that she would break offall connexion with you, see you no more, and admit the addresses ofBeauman.

  "To this she could not consent. She urged, that by the consent of herparents she was engaged to you by the most sacred ties. That to herfather's will she had hitherto yielded implicit obedience, but thathastily to break the most solemn obligation, formed and sanctioned byhis approbation and direction, was what her conscience would not permither to do. Were he to command her to live single, life might be endured;but to give her hand to any except you, would be to perjure thoseprinciples of truth and justice which he himself had ever taught her tohold most inviolable.--Her father grew outrageous; charged her withdisobedience, with a blind inconsiderate perverseness, by which shewould bring ruin upon herself, and indelible disgrace upon her family.She answered only with her tears. Her mother interposed, and endeavouredto appease his anger; but he spurned her from him, and rushed out of theroom, uttering a threat that force should succeed persuasion, if hiscommands were not obeyed. To add to Melissa's distress, Beauman arrivedat her father's yesterday; and I hope, in some measure to alleviate it.Edgar, her brother, came this morning.--Mrs. Vincent has dispatched amessage to inform Melissa of your arrival, and to desire her to comehere immediately. She will undoubtedly comply with the invitation, ifnot prevented by something extraordinary. I should have written you hadI not hourly expected you."

  Mrs. Vincent now came to the door of the room and beckoned to herhusband, who went out, but immediately returned, leading in Melissaafter which he retired. "Oh, Alonzo!" was all she could say, and burstinto tears. Alonzo led her to a seat, gently pressed her hand, andmingled his tears with hers, but was unable to speak.--Recovering atlength, he begged her to moderate her grief. "Where, said he, is yourfortitude and your firmness, Melissa, which I have so often seentriumphing over affliction?" Her extreme anguish prevented a reply.Deeply affected and alarmed at the storm of distress which raged in herbosom, he endeavoured to console her, though consolation was a strangerto his own breast. "Let us not, Melissa, said he, increase our flood ofaffliction by a tide of useless sorrow. Perhaps more prosperous days areyet in reserve for us;--happiness may yet be ours." "Never, never! sheexclaimed. Oh, what will become of me!" "Heaven cannot desert you, saidAlonzo; as well might it desert its angels. This thorny and gloomy pathmay lead to fair fields of light and verdure. Tempests are succeeded bycalms; wars end in peace; the splendours of the brightest morning ariseon the wings of blackest midnight.----Troubles will not always last.Life at most is short. Death comes to the relief of the virtuouswretched, and transports them to another and better world, where sighingand sorrows cease, and the tempestuous passions of life are known nomore."

  The rage of grief which had overwhelmed Melissa began now to subside, asthe waves of the ocean gradually cease their tumul
tuous commotion, afterthe turbulent winds are laid asleep. Deep sobs and long drawn sighssucceeded to a suffocation of tears. The irritation of her feelings hadcaused a more than usual glow upon her cheek, which faded away as shebecame composed, until a livid paleness spread itself over her features.Alonzo feared that the delicacy of her constitution would fall asacrifice to the sorrow which preyed upon her heart, if not speedilyalleviated;--but alas! where were the means of alleviation?

  She informed him that her father had that evening ordered her to becomethe wife of Beauman. He told her that her disobedience was no longer tobe borne.--"No longer, said he, will I tamper with your perverseness:you are determined to be poor, wretched and contemptible. I will compelyou to be rich, happy, and respected. You suffer the _Jack-a-lantern_fancy to lead