The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1824-07-31
if you were not going off fast to place it with
thy other favorites" No: am not going

thy other favorites" No: am not going
now, my father--it is not drooping-it is too
lovely yet" Then, sitting down by him, she
took his hand, kissed it, while her bright eyes
said, tell me now.'' eyes, will tell thee
now" said her father i" when first saw thy
my-thy dearest mother !-She was down in
yonder vale; she was then young and lovely as
thyself-she was reclining on that bed of lilies,
where, perhaps, you plucked that one now in
thy BOSOM" g The bed just at the foot of the
hill father 1t was there | found it; all the
others were out of bloom.' Yes, love, the
same, just there White hands have plucked
lilies there before thine A number OF those
lovely little flowers were placed IN her dark
tresses, and some hanging over her white fore
head, as though she had made mirror OF the
clear stream that glides along the green vale
You cannot magine how lovely she appeared
She arose quickly on perceiving me-a blush
stole over her lovely face. | stepped back, as
though she had been a spirit of the valley-my
surprise was SO great | could not artculate
word for some moments, until observing her In
creased confusion, said Bright spirit! have
the goodness to tell me, if you can, how far am
from Col Arthur's dwelng | was stranger
in this land, and had left my horse at the last
inn at which | stopped-and being informed
how short a distance it was to the dwelling of
my fathers friend, | preferred walking along the
by-paths The sun was sinking when lett the
inn, and had quite disappeared ere met thy
mother) She replied, (and her voice thrilled
through my very SOUL have not yet ceased to
feel tic At the top of this hill, Colonel Arthur
dwells will conduct thee thither." Thus say
ing, she offered rae her hand--mine trembled
as took it. We now assembled this hill. She
entered this venerable pile, and invited me in,
with freedom that surprised me. Col. Arthur
soon appeared-but imagine my surprise when
she said, g Father, will introduce you to the
stranger met in my evening walk" He looked
at me for moment, and then exclamed-'l 1t
must be Albert's son /! !" replied, " am the
son of Albert Northton." He was motionless
with surprise and delight-but presently he en-
braced me tenderly, and a tear stole down his
noble face "NVelcome, most welcome Albert
to my bosom and my home! thou vert but
bow when | last saw thee-and now, see how
tall thou art"
But, Virginia, | would tire thee, were to tell
thee all the veteran sald-the inquiries he made
and how often he blessed myself and father
But when he heard had lost that father, and
my fortune with him, he wept like child. Al
bert!' said he, you shall never leave me here
shall be thy home!" | need not tell thee, my
Virginia, how my heart thanked him-or how
the lovely Eleanor won my heart, and what
were my reasons for believing she was not indif
ferent to my love-or how the Colonel blessed
us when we made known to him our love---or
how thy beauteous mother trembled, when we
were united at the holy altar-but she was mine,
and was happy-fve years of bliss were ours
our happiness then interrupted by the
death Of our good father! my Eleanor mourn