The Wilmingtonian., 1824-04-01
TRUE CONsTANcY.
True cons,ancy will always prove
The bless'd companion of true love.


n the same neighborhood, and had been nti-
nate companions from the earliest stage Of child |,
,ood They were educated at the same school
md always partook Of the same youthful sports
md pleasures; and even then il one WAS absent.
he other would scarcely mingle in the festi i,y !,
fther fellow playmates. This youthful ailrc'ionl,
,ept pace with their ripening years, and at an
arly age became an innocent, though ardent pas
anticipated with pleasure, the ting
yhen their most sangu;ne wishes would be crown h
ID with felicity and connubial happiness. Blu
hese enchanting dreams Of fplessure were broken
~ an event which had never entered into thei,
minds.
The injuries of their suffering country, had a
reused the Indignation and patriotism Of her ma
i've sons; and the peaceful qnletnde in which,
thew had long reposed, was disturbed BY the loud
clalnor and dreadful carnage ot a sangninary war
The wrongs and abuses which had been heaprdl
with lavsbing hand upon the American, by thel
mother country, flew through the Colonies, hkeI
a powerful shock of electricity youth an''
old age, promiscuousy rushed forward to the ap
contest with the glorious de,eI nina
ton of dispeiling the gat crng tenpests which
their devoted country. Even the vlr-
tuous matrons and youthful ma,dens were rea
to hazard their lives in the cause Of their free
dom.
Amid such scenes as this, the brave and gener
Gus heart of Henry Ru hven, would 'ot remain
inactive, nor bear the base calnmny cast upon the
character of his noble country ymen. He volun-
,eered his services 10 defend bis native home
gainst the invaslons Of foreign mercenaras He
wa, soon to change the pleasant banks Of the ma
iestic Delaware tor the hardships Of a tented
field.
The untlaunted courage which could lead him
lon to battle, was atnost shaken when he thougii
oi parting with his beloved Maria i'ut at length
the fatal summons canlG-thcy were 10 march
the next morning. He knew not how 10 take a
long, perhaps last farewell, o. the being allie d
TO his own existence. but there was no ater1a,
tive
The setting sun had just tinged the western sky
with various lues, and twilight's p, nsive hour
Twas fast approaching, when he arrived at Ce'iai
cottage. Tie entered IL more like n friendless
Emourler, than say and sprghty lover. The
bitter cause OF his VISIT penetrated deep INTO the
heart of NJ ,ria. Hard were the struggles VI na.
Iturt and affection, when the hour Il parting ar
rived. II seemed more like the partIn. ri friends
,iauney,ng TO another world, than levers fond
latieu They embraced each other and alter cx-
changing VOWS Of eternal love and constancy, they
babe the lingering sad farewell.
GLOW many, who disdained fear.
| i;i,sh on tne desperate duty,
/ Shall cisn the tribute OF the tear
/ uItls lAc ~ u
/ Ruthven passed though many trying scenes
and twice covered himself with glory in iii,
bloody conflict Hut at length he was made
pmsoner, and mnerged WITHIN the gloomy wall
of piisnn---niaI,y other unfortunate fellow pa,
riots were confined with him. and left 10 pine on
their existence in solitude and chains. Man,
llcd for want OF necessary air and sustenance anc
anonG this number WAS young etSiEn, Scarcel,
lin his DIST year. Rulhvcn had contracted per
II ,nen, friendship or this young officer, whlit
they were associates in arms; and before he ex
iplr,d, he made Ruthven heir to beautiful little
farm near the confines Of Philadelphia, as me
lmorial OF l,s affection.
Il Maria had heard OF the defeat, and receiving
no intelligence Of Henry, had naturally concluded
that he was among the slain. She endeavored Il
hide her sorrow from every eye, but grief wa
fast preying upon her heart The rose Of you'll
which had long bioolued upon her snow whit,
Icheek, began to wltier and tide, and the lustle o
her once sparkling eye was nearly ex,ingushe'i
BY dcyrce, size lost her strength, and was grad
,,ually sinking to decay. At length, she became
unable To walk oat out as she sat al the cottag
lwndow, viewing the varlagsted landscape, wher
she ha' often wandered in brighter days, sh
I seemed Ike weeping beauty in the gloon,
, shadow Of death. The lid ], ssamine and swe,
scented honey suclsle, which o,elshsdowed tn,
window, wsre sinking beneath the yellow hant
I lot autumn. They seemed 10 her faithful en-
,ibiem ot the uncertainty of life; and she eve
Thought she could discover 4 striking resemblanc
Iot her own situation. She calmly waited for III
approach Of death, and thought the sod wou'
.pre,s lighter on her form, than the accumulate
sorrows on her heart
! iler parents beheld her approaching dlssou
2 lion with the most poignant feelings ct grie
/, They endeavored in van to cheer her with th
prospect, OF future pleasure; but she heede
them AS idle tales OF fancy.
S AS She was sitting on her accustomed sea
one pleasant evening in September, the clang Il
VA horses hoois swiftly approaching broke her $
d lent netlitatonat last ii suddenly ceased, and
Il young horsei"an mutiiel in riding cloak, enter
: ed the door 1t was her long lost lover, flenr
e liuti ven. lie had been liberated from confine
G lment and returned to bless the amiable Mar
with his hand and heart.
ineed ho' detail the particulars OF this happ
timeeting: suffice it to say, that Nara recovere
fher health and beauty in a few months, and the
were married i'll the little village church, in pre-
''Isence ot numerous and happy collection {
d friends and associates
:. They soon removed TO the farm bequeathed {
y them by the ensign, where they now reside, Ell
uLjoying tie esteem and good will Of all the su
= rounding neighborhood. Thus has provi.lenc
rewarded them for their affection, virtue an
cons,ancy.
a MORAL CATECHISM.
7 What are friends made of! Persons who ca
t tlplease or serve each other.