Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-08-21
A SCRAP.
sob! let me court Leathean streams,
The Borrowing sense to steep,
And drink oblivion of the themes
On which | cannot weep.n

i In that season of life. when the hearts
enthusiasm gives (ervor to all its affections,
tlrst con menCed that unfortunate attach
ment between Augustus and Amelia
} The genius and accomplishments of Au-
gustus were the themes of every tongue.
He possessed proud and aspiring soul
), he anticipated, with sanguine confidence.
the time when his talents and industry
Fl would be an honor to himself, and service
to those around him. His own Amelia,
wih heart that could so well appreciate
his excelencies, found proud enjoyment
in those plaudits so often associated with
his name, and happiness in those warm
affections which her own charms had Gre
lated. o! there was not one thorn among
the roses of their own Eden--there was
not one cloud in the pure skies that lilo
minated its bowers--there were no sounds
but those which told of happiness,in cheer
ing whispers,to the heart. If Amelia's voice
was heard in song, the strain was of the
most joyous melody--heI heart had not
one sound of sadness in its varied notes.
and lghtcst in the dance were her own
footsteps, among its graceful evoutons.-
Thus passed those days away, till Angus
tus, in the tumults of the world, exchang-
ed the dreams Of those romantic hours, for
the cold realities of life. And cold they
were to one so enthusiastic! rugged in
deed, to one so ambitious, were those steps
toward the temple Of fame, over which
not even genius wings can bear them; but
step by step his wearied feet must tread
till even the hope which carried him along
seemed to sicken with delay. Deep in
/ his susceptible heart were the stings of
disappointed ambition! In those woods
which surround the beautiful village
where so many Of his days had been pas
, sed, where breathed the murmurings of
his discontent--and even those haunts
which endeared this adopted home, were
sought, not as once, to indulge in dreams
. of love and hope, but to hide amid their
shades the dark dependency of his spirit
Amelia, too, whose presence was once
so replete with bright associations, served
to increase his gloom; vain was all the
gaiety with which she hoped to dissipate
his care. If in brighter hours Augustus
was beloved with the fervor of her feel
ing nature, he was now, in his moments
of gloom, cherished by her heart with an
affection yet more imprisoned. But why
| Thought she) the gathering shades upon
his brow? Can he not be happy without
The applause of multitude? Can he moi
leave the scene where his hopes have fail
ed, and seek in love and friendship, alone,
a joy worth all ambition could have prom
ised? Amelia was happy still; for Au.
gustus was the same to her as in her best
days, and in losing the tickle favors of the
world, she knew he had not lost that which
ought 10 have secured them. But with
i all the splendor of talent, Augustus was
deficient in firmness of-mind, and indie
pendence of spirit. His time was wasted
in gloomy Incidence, till he at length,
sought in intemPerance fanced oblivion
Of his ills. The companions of his viz
tuous days forsook him; his friends, while
they mourned his degeneracy, left in the
haunts of dissipation one who might com
mand the respect and admiration of all.
But Amelia. with woman's constancy,
was faithful still. Many were the efforts
of her family 10 lead those affections from
an object no longer worthy of her regard
hut Augustus, scorned and forsakcn,
found one at least, whose look would not
reproach, whose tongue would never cen
sure. For him the music of her harp
was still awakened--but at times mel
ancholy tone would steal into those strains
meant for gaiety alone-that eye. though
its glances were his own was fast losing
| the lustre of its hue-and that cheek,
where the rose once bloomed so rightly, j
had not now one trace of its crimsontinge.
Each day, as it passed, brought deeper
melancholy to the heart of Augustus-and
fainter, with every mornings dawn, beam
ed the eye Of the unfortunate Amelia
! till, at last, it was shrouded in DEATH
She died the victim of love and grief
Deeper, still deeper, in the intoxicating
bowl, Augustus sought to steep his dis
tracted senses. Thou art nothing-all
are nothing now, thought he. He dare
not look upon the past--he would not
dwell upon the future-his constitution,
exhausted by excess, and wasted by the
desponding melancholy which he so long
had chersbedfwarned him of his APP
preaching end. He awaited it with i'm
patient despair and Augustus too,
found an early grave--the victim of dis