Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-12

OF IcVoIIy-PuipuUio" "nsSO' Va a"Sv
mingled with the votaries Of pleasure
the listless, who strove 10 annihilate time,
and the dying, who had sought to add
yet few days to those they had now 10
number.
Soon after the arrival Of Isabel, she
was one day struck, on entering the com.
mon sitting room, by the appearance OF
an old man, who sat alone and apparently
unnoticed. His sightless eyes, his pal
sled limbs, and the white locks that were
thinly scattered over his pallid temples,
all at once rivetted her attention. Her
heart throbbed with pity, but reverence
mingled with compassion as she marked
the settled and placid expression Of his
countenance. At no great distance
group Of ladies were indulging in bursts
of levity, that, at this moment struck most
discordantly on her heart.
She felt that the presence Of nnfortu-
nate age should at least inspire respect,
and Involuntary approaching the un-
needed old man, she was half resolved to
address him. Her natural timidity, how
ever, still withheld her, till she was at
length called by one Of the hoyden group
to partake Of some strawberries. The
irresoIute expression Of her countenance
, ut once changed to that Of pleasure.
~ will beg some, she said, unhes'-
tatngly presenting her work basket,
for this old gentIeman'-ond she now
approached him without embarrassment
-'Wll you accept some strawberries,
sirl
;; The voice of Isabel was like the low,
dying tones Of an instrument; it touched
every chord of the soul. The old man
receivsd them with smile, that spoke
, benedict,on; while an elegant, though
, youthful stranger, who stood reading a
J newspaper with his back towards them,
, suddenly turned round and fixed his eyes
on the blushing girl with mingled adml-
ration and surprise.
She instinctivcly retreated, and join
1 ing the group she had hitherto stunned,
i mingled in their trifling. Soon after,
b the youth himself approached with her
basket. Presenting it with look Of
n indescribable import, he said
Accept, Miss, the thanks and bless
o ing of age for your delicate attention.
: He then disappeared. Ia short time
he returned, and addressed the old man
/. in tone of respect and tenderness.
' Il have at length found more quiet
' lodgings, sir, and will attend you when
ever you feel able to walk
The old man rose, and leaning on the
, arm Of the youth, they left the apart
!; ment.
. 'They are then to be temporary So
!, journers in the village thought Isabel;
and sensation Of pleasure, of which she
! was perhaps unconscious, arose from the
. idea Of again meeting them. She was
not disappointed. They met the pext
. . morning at the spring-and again and
!. again met!
Who shall describe tho mingliDg oi
b kindred spirits WHO shall trace the
" intricate and delicate sources of that
. . mysterious passion which at length
\ sweeps like a torrent over the human
y y soul! Scarcely a word had passed
:, between the youthful strangers they
- - knew nothing Of each other beyond the
- ~ limits Of few short days; yet the years
- that had preceded had become to them
;, as a tedious dream-the present was
- !. their all of existence, and resembled the
- >, renovated life of the chrysalis, when il
% . sails on new wings through the sum-
mcr air.
l. As yet however, unconscious of the
" dangerous source of this new sense ol
J, enjoyment, they met without embarrass
- ment. The blush that dyed the cheek
i !, Of Isabel in the presence of the stran.
- ger, was that of abstract pleasure; and
- - the light, which flashed from his eye a,
T ,Tr her approach, was brilliant as the rays
:, :. of heaven. The failing health of the
- blind old man, whom he daily attended
a to the spring, afforded their only clue
- even to passing remark. The deep in
tercst which his appearance excited it
III the bosom of Isabel conquered the scru.
s. pies of vestal reserve, and she frequent
c. iy ventured timid inquiry respecting
70 70 the aged invalid.
70 There are thousand nameless atten
tions, too trifing for description, tina
come with a cheering influence ove
80 80 the feeling heart, like the imperceptiblt
y ihreezs that stirs the delicate leaf. Sucl
were the attentions which misfortune in
- variably elected from the hand of Isabel
- - no matter how narrow her sphere of &C
:" :" ton. Her voice, her step, were already
known to the discriminating ear Of th'
\. old man; and if his cane was dropped
10 10 or seat was brought him, he knew th'
:. !" ready hand that presented them. HI
10 y" was, however, evidently and rapidly fail
10 ing-and at last Isabel met the interest
). ~ ing strangers no longer.