Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-07-02

simplicity, a sublime fervor, an aban-
donment Of self, a lifting up Of the
soul TO heaven, an understandable and
spiritual charm, pervading his man
ner, that was acknowledged by the
breathlesS attention OF a crowded au-
dience. composed of the wealth and
fashion of the metropolis. And was
there, the proudest, the happiest of the
throng. Tha. gifted being was nv
husband. | was Unidentified for all
past notifications, and looked Onward
To bright years of felicity. not in the
narrow path We had heretofore travel
led. but wider, more brilliant sphere.
My imagination placed him at the
head Of that admiring congregation;
and saw the Lowry flock he had been
lately feeding, weeping, unpi,ied, be-
tween the porch and the altar.
Before we babe farewell 10 my I'M
Gle, ] had abundant reason To believe
my VISION would soon be realized
The church was then without a pas
tor. No candidate had as We; appear
ed in whom their opinions or affections
were united. They were enthusiast
tic in the admiration of Mr.. l.
and protested against the obscurity OF
his location. With such hopes gliding
the future. left the metropolis with a
cheerfnlness and elasticity of spirits,
which my husband hailed as a surety
for long years of domestic felicity. ]
would gladly linger here awhile. /
fear TO 20 on. You have followed
me so far with kind of complainant
interest, as poor, vain, weak young
creature, whose native defects have
been enhanced by education, and who
has unfortunately been placed in a
sphere she is incapable of adorning.-
The atmosphere is too pure, too rari-
fed. Removed at once from the val
ley of sin TO the mount of holiness. |
breathe with difficulty the celestial air
and pant for more congenial regions.
Must proceed; Your compassion
will turl to deteStation: vet cannot
withdraw from the task have impos-
cd on myself. II is an cxpiatory one;
and oh, may II be received d SUCH
II was scarcely more than a week
after our return. All had been peace
and sunshine; SD resolved was l To be
all that was lovely and amiable.
even listened with apparent patience
TO aunt Debby's interminable hymns.
and heard some of her long stories the
Seventy-seventh time, without any
manifest symptom oi vexaiion. II
was about sunset. We sat together
in the study, my husband and myself,
watching the cloud. As they softly roll
ed towards the sinking sun, To dip their
edges m hiA golden beams. The boughs
Of the elms waved across the window
giving us glimpscs of the beautiful
vale beyond, bounded by the blue
outline Of the distant hills. Whether
it was the warm light reflected ON las
face, or the glow of the heart suffusins
At, know not, but | never saw his
usually pale features more radiantly
lighted up than at tina. moment. a
letter was brought To him. I leaned
over his shoulder while he opened IT,
From the first line understood IT,
import: II was the realization of INV
hopes. The offer was there made
more splendid, more liberal than had
dared 10 anticipate. did not speak,
but with cheeks burning and hand,
trembling with eagerncss and ioy.
waited tall he had pcrused IT. He still
continued silent. Almost Indignant
at his cdmness, | calculated his nam,
in an impatient tone; when he raised
has eyes from the paper aud fixed
them on me. ! read there the death
blow of my hopes. They emitted Nc
glance of triumph: there was sorrow
regret, humility, and love--but | look
ed in vain for more. am sorry foi
this, SAID he, for your sake. my dcai
Mary. IL may excite wishes, which
can never be realized. No! let us be-
happy IN the lowiier sphere. IN which
an Ail-wise Being has marked my
course. ! cannot deyiate from it,
Cannot repeated |: say. rather
you will not. | could not ar,ic ulate
more. The possibility Of refusal
on has part had never occurred 20 me
] was thunderStmck. lie saw my ..
Tnolion--and. losing all his composure
rose and crushed the letter in hi,
hand. l could not, IT ! would. accept
this, he cried and, were my owf
wishes 90 be alone consulted. I woulc
not, were ! free 70 act. Hut It Is mo-
30. ] am bound 10 this place, by ~
Tenn promise, winch cannot BE- bro
ken. Here, ia this very house, Il va
made, by the dying bed Of the nghte
Gus, who bequcathed the people l..
loved 10 ny eharge--ae, the orphan
he had protected and reared. fNeve
leave them, my son. said the expiring
saint--'never leave the lambs Of NJ,
flock 10 be scattered on the noun.
ialns." | pledged my word suround.
ed by the soleInnities Of death: yea
even while his soul was taking it, up.
ward fight. II - recorded, and can.
not b. recalled.
Did feel the sacredness Of the obi.
7 -.