Alonzo and Melissa; Or, The Unfeeling Father: An American Tale Read online

  Produced by Louise Hope, David Edwards and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive)

  [Transcriber's Note:

  This e-text is based on the 1851 Boston edition of _Alonzo and Melissa_.The story originally appeared in 1804 as a serial in the weekly_Political Barometer_ of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., written by the newspaper'seditor, Isaac Mitchell. Pirated versions began to appear in 1811,giving Daniel Jackson, Jr., as author.

  The book was printed as a single unit, without chapter divisions.The breaks in the e-text represent the 22 installments of the serialversion.

  Note that the standard punctuation for dialogue is

  "To this place, said Melissa, have I taken many a solitary walk...."

  The following are listed at the end of the e-text:

  Chronology of the Story Quotations Other Editions Errors and Inconsistencies]

  ALONZO AND MELISSA,

  or

  THE UNFEELING FATHER.

  An

  AMERICAN TALE.

  In every varied posture, place, and hour, How widowed every thought of every joy!

  YOUNG.

  BY DANIEL JACKSON, Jr.

  Boston: Printed for the Publishers. 1851.

  PREFACE

  Whether the story of Alonzo and Melissa will generally please, thewriter knows not; if, however, he is not mistaken, it is not unfriendlyto religion and to virtue.--One thing was aimed to be shown, that a firmreliance on Providence, however the affections might be at war with itsdispensations, is the only source of consolation in the gloomy hours ofaffliction; and that generally such dependence, though crossed bydifficulties and perplexities, will be crowned with victory at last.

  It is also believed that the story contains no indecorous stimulants;nor is it filled with unmeaning and inexplicated incidents sounding uponthe sense, but imperceptible to the understanding. When anxieties havebeen excited by involved and doubtful events, they are afterwardselucidated by the consequences.

  The writer believes that generally he has copied nature. In the ardentprospects raised in youthful bosoms, the almost consummation of theirwishes, their sudden and unexpected disappointment, the sorrows ofseparation, the joyous and unlooked for meeting--in the poignantfeelings of Alonzo, when, at the grave of Melissa, he poured thefeelings of his anguished soul over her miniature by the "moon's paleray;"----when Melissa, sinking on her knees before her father, wasreceived to his bosom as a beloved daughter risen from the dead.

  If these scenes are not imperfectly drawn, they will not fail tointerest the refined sensibilities of the reader.

  ALONZO AND MELISSA.

  A TALE.

  In the time of the late revolution, two young gentlemen of Connecticut,who had formed an indissoluble friendship, graduated at Yale College inNew-Haven: their names were Edgar and Alonzo. Edgar was the son of arespectable farmer. Alonzo's father was an eminent merchant. Edgar wasdesigned for the desk, Alonzo for the bar; but as they were allowed somevacant time after their graduation before they entered upon theirprofessional studies, they improved this interim in mutual, friendlyvisits, mingling with select parties in the amusements of the day, andin travelling through some parts of the United States.

  Edgar had a sister who, for some time, had resided with her cousin atNew-London. She was now about to return, and it was designed that Edgarshould go and attend her home. Previous to the day on which he was toset out, he was unfortunately thrown from his horse, which so muchinjured him as to prevent his prosecuting his intended journey: hetherefore invited Alonzo to supply his place; which invitation hereadily accepted, and on the day appointed set out for New-London, wherehe arrived, delivered his introductory letters to Edgar's cousin, andwas received with the most friendly politeness.

  Melissa, the sister of Edgar, was about sixteen years of age. She wasnot what is esteemed a striking beauty, but her appearance waspleasingly interesting. Her figure was elegant; her aspect wasattempered with a pensive mildness, which in her cheerful moments wouldlight up into sprightliness and vivacity. Though on first impression,her countenance was marked by a sweet and thoughtful serenity, yet sheeminently possessed the power to

  "Call round her laughing eyes, in playful turns, The glance that lightens, and the smile that burns."

  Her mind was adorned with those delicate graces which are the firstornaments of female excellence. Her manners were graceful withoutaffectation, and her taste had been properly directed by a suitableeducation.

  Alonzo was about twenty-one years old; he had been esteemed an excellentstudent. His appearance was manly, open and free. His eye indicated anobleness of soul; although his aspect was tinged with melancholy, yethe was naturally cheerful. His disposition was of the romantic cast;

  "For far beyond the pride and pomp of power, He lov'd the realms of nature to explore; With lingering gaze Edinian spring survey'd; Morn's fairy splendours; night's gay curtained shade, The high hoar cliff, the grove's benighting gloom, The wild rose, widowed o'er the mouldering tomb; The heaven embosom'd sun; the rainbow's dye, Where lucid forms disport to fancy's eye; The vernal flower, mild autumn's purpling glow, The summer's thunder and the winter's snow."

  It was evening when Alonzo arrived at the house of Edgar's cousin.Melissa was at a ball which had been given on a matrimonial occasion inthe town. Her cousin waited on Alonzo to the ball, and introduced him toMelissa, who received him with politeness. She was dressed in white,embroidered and spangled with rich silver lace; a silk girdle, enwroughtand tasseled with gold, surrounded her waist; her hair was unadornedexcept by a wreath of artificial flowers, studded by a single diamond.

  After the ball closed, they returned to the house of Edgar's cousin.Melissa's partner at the ball was the son of a gentleman of independentfortune in New-London. He was a gay young man, aged about twenty-five.His address was easy, his manners rather voluptuous than refined;confident, but not ungraceful. He led the ton in fashionable circles;gave taste its zest, and was quite a favorite with the ladies generally.His name was Beauman.

  Edgar's cousin proposed to detain Alonzo and Melissa a few days, duringwhich time they passed in visiting select friends and social parties.Beauman was an assiduous attendant upon Melissa. He came one afternoonto invite her to ride out;--she was indisposed and excused herself. Atevening she proposed walking out with her cousin and his lady; but theywere prevented from attending her by unexpected company. Alonzo offeredto accompany her. It was one of those beautiful evenings in the month ofJune, when nature in those parts of America is arrayed in her richestdress. They left the town and walked through fields adjoining theharbour.--The moon shone in full lustre, her white beams trembling uponthe glassy main, where skiffs and sails of various descriptions werepassing and repassing. The shores of Long-Island and the other islandsin the harbour, appeared dimly to float among the waves. The air wasadorned with the fragrance of surrounding flowers; the sound ofinstrumental music wafted from the town, rendered sweeter by distance,while the whippoorwill's sprightly song echoed along the adjacentgroves. Far in the eastern horizon hung a pile of brazen clouds, whichhad passed from the north, over which, the crinkling red lightningmomentarily darted, and at times, long peals of thunder were faintlyheard. They walked to a point of the beach, where stood a large rockwhose base was washed by every tide. On this rock they seatedthemselves, and enjoyed a while the splendours of the scene--the draperyof nature. "To this place, said Melissa, have I taken many a solitarywalk, on such an evening as this, and sea
ted on this rock, have Iexperienced more pleasing sensations than I ever received in the mostsplendid ball-room." The idea impressed the mind of Alonzo; it wascongenial with the feeling of his soul.

  They returned at a late hour, and the next day set out for home. Beaumanhanded Melissa into the carriage, and he, with Edgar's cousin and hislady, attended them on their first day's journey. They put up at nightat the house of an acquaintance in Branford. The next morning theyparted; Melissa's cousin, his lady and Beauman, returned to New-London;Alonzo and Melissa pursued their journey, and at evening arrived at herfather's house, which was in the westerly part of the state.

  * * * * *

  Melissa was received with joyful tenderness by her friends. Edgar soonrecovered from his fall, and cheerfulness again assumed its mostpleasing aspect in the family.--Edgar's father was a plain Connecticutfarmer. He was rich, and his riches had been acquired by his diligentattention to