Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-05-19

1 OiShCSS' IL tuCSc uCuiOuS udSC PooSSS-
sed me since, they must have been cast
down upon me by the "malice Of my
stars" had no organs for such things
yet now can hate almost as strongly
as | love, and am as constant to my an
tipathies as to my affections.
| Well-when my fifth was running
into my sixth year, and l was busted
with parallels and scripture history,
| (the only food which nourished my in
FAINT mind, was much noticed by a
young persona female. was at that
time living with an old relation in H
shire, and l still preserve the recol-
lection Of Miss Rs tender conde-
scension towards me. She was pref
ty, delicate girl, and very amiable; and
and l became-(yes it is true, for l re.
member the strong feelings of that
time -enamoured Of her. My love
had the fire of passion, but not the clay
which drags it downwards, it partook
of the innocence Of my years while it
etherealized me. Whether twas the
divinity of beauty that strung me-or
rather that lifted me above the dark
ness and immaturity Of childhood, l
know not; but my feelings were any
thing but childish. BY some strong in
tuition felt that there was difference
q knew not what that called forth an
extraordinary and impetuous regard.
She was the first object, (save my
mother) that ever attached myself to.
l had better loved a flower--a weed.
For, when knew her she had the seeds
Of death within her. Consumption had
"caught hers" his sickly hand was up
on her, like the canker on the rose, and
drew out perilous, unearthly bloom.
The hues and vigour Of life were flush
ing too quickly through her cheek
(yet how pale she was at times!)-She
wasted month in an hour--a year in
month; and at last died in the stormy
autumn time, when the breath Of sum-
mer had left her.
The last time I ever saw her was Gas
we'll as can recollect in October, or
late in September was told that
Miss R-was ill--very ill-and that
perhaps l might not see her again.
Death could not (of course) compre-
bend but understood perfectly what
was perpetual absence from my pref
ty friend. Whether l wept, or raved
|-or how it was, know not; but l was
taken to visit her. Itwas cold day,
and the red and brown leaves were plen-
tiful on the trees and it was afternoon
when we arrived at an old-fashioned
country house Something better than
farm house) which stood at some dis
lance from the high road. The sun
was near his setting; but the whole OF
the wide west was illuminated, and
threw crimson & scarlet colours on the
windows, over which hung cloud OF
vine-stalks and changing leaves that
dropped by scores on every summons
of the blast.-There she sate-in par
lour full Of flowers (herself the fairest)
among China roses and glitteringice-
plants, and myrtles which no longer
blossomed. She was sitting Gas | en-
tered,) in large arm chair covered
with white-like a faded Flora; and
was looking at the sun: but she turned
her bright and gentle looks on me, and
the pink bloom dimpled on her cheek
as she smiled and babe me welcome.
He had been i'll when last saw i'm
in the Christmas holidays; yet little
thought that the grave was so near
him. / was summoned home, one day
to weep and wear mourning; and |
went to the house of his widow, where
he lay-dead. Oh what a visit was
that |! 1t haunted me for years. The
: servant said that he-(what 'he?' was ii
the dust9)-that he lag in the front
drawing room. l shuddered and stop
ped; but was assured that he looked
Just as though he was asleep. Let nc
one believe such things. There is no
thing SO unlike sleep as death. 1t is
poets lie. The one is gracious re.
pose-a vital calm; the other is hor'
rid solemnit,-no more like sleep than
a mask of plaster; stiff, rigid, white
/ beyond the whiteness of shrouds or the
paleness of stone. All parallels fail
I'VE strain at comparisons in vain.
I went up to see my old friend
There was great silence all about, and
the stone steps of the staircase sent GU,
unusual echoes. The door was opened
slowly, as though we should disturb
. the corpse. The windows were closed
and there were long wax candles burn
ing at the head and at the ieet; and over
ali a white sheet was carefully thrown
The length-the prodigious length
. that the body seemed to occupy, al
t once startled me, and l recoiled. But
: the servant proceeded and uncovered
, the head of the coffin. After an efor
+ Iooked-Ah! would to God l hae
e never looked. There he lay, like
a stone. His mouth was bound up, ano
e his eyelids had been pressed down and
: his nose was Rinched as though BY IA