a large vote on the side to which he
belonged--and he used every means to obtain votes. Elated with fancied
success, he swore one day in the tavern bar-room, that he would make
James Foster abandon his party, and vote to please him. Some, who knew
Foster's quiet but resolute disposition, bantered and teased Hall,
which wrought him to such a pitch of excitement that, on meeting James
Foster a little while after in front of the tavern, he made the demand
of him. Foster at first treated it as a jest; then, when he found Hall
was in earnest, decidedly, but civilly, refused; and in such a manner
as to put at rest all further conversation. Enraged, Hall instantly
turned, swearing to the laughing politicians that surrounded the
tavern steps, and who had witnessed his discomfiture, that he would
punish Foster's impudent obstinacy. Accordingly, full of ill,
revengeful feelings, he returned home, and forbade his daughter ever
permitting Foster to step over the threshold of the door--commanding
her instantly to break the engagement. She used every entreaty,
expostulated, temporized--all was of no avail; indeed, her entreaties
seemed but to heighten her father's anger; and at last, with a fearful
oath, he declared, if she did not break the engagement with the
purse-proud, hypocritical rascal, she should leave his house
instantly. She looked on the terrified children, the youngest only
five years old, and who clung weeping to her knees, as her father
threatened to turn her out of doors, never to see them again; and she
thought of her mother's last words--her decision was made; and with a
heavy heart she performed the self-sacrifice.

"Don't say you will never marry me, Lizzie," urged her lover; "I can
wait ten years for you, darling."

But Lizzie was conscientious; her father had expressly stipulated
there should be no "half-way work--no putting off;" all hope must be
given up, she never could be his--and forever she bid him farewell.
James tried to argue with and persuade her father; but the selfish,
obstinate old man would listen to nothing from him. Poor James,
finding both immovable, at last sold off his farm, and all his
property, and moved away into a distant state; he could not, he said,
live near Lizzie, and feel that she never would be his wife. Men are
so soon despairing in love affairs, while women hope on, even to
death. Poor Lizzie, how her heart sunk when the sight of her lover was
denied to her; and she felt even m