Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-10-20
mIsCRLLANH.


an acquaintance in one of the cities of
the South, with q gentleman who had
removed from England TO this country.
with two small children, the one a
small boy Of ten years, the other a girl
Of nine years Of age. These children
were the most lovely ] ever saw
Their extreme beauty. their deep and
artless affection, and their frequent
bursts Of childish and innocent mirth,
made them rs dear to ma as IL had
been the companion OF their infancy.
They were happy in themselves, hap
Ply IN each other. and In the whole
world Of life and nature around them.
i had known the family but a few
months. when my friend was compell-
ed to make sudden and unexpected
voyage 20 South America. His feel.
ings were embittered by the thoughts
Of leaving his notheriess children be-
hind him, and ] was on the point of
embarking for Liverpool. / promised
TO take them 10 their friends and rela-
tiona.
The day Of our departure wss delay
ed two weeks. During that period
lived under the same roof with the lit
tie ones that he had consigned to NV
care. For few days they were pen.
sive, and made frequent inquiries for
their absent father; hut their sorrows
were easily sssuaged, and regret for his
absence changed into pleasant antici-
patton Tor his early return. The ordi-
nary sorrows Of childhood are but dews
upon the eagles plumage, which va
nish at the moment the proud bird
springs upwards into the air 20 WOO the
beautiful flashes Of the morning.
The day Of our departure al last ar
rived, and We set sail on q quiet AFTER
noon Of summer. II was q scene Of
beauty, and my heart hutlered as Wild
iy and joyousIy as the wing of young
bird IN spring time.
The 6rst week Of our voyage was
unattended BY any important incident.
The sea was al times wild and stormy.
but again Il would sink to Fcpose, and
spread itself out ia beauty TO The verge
Of the horizon. On the eighth day the
boy arose pale and detected, and COM
planned Of indisposiiion. On the foi.
lowing day be was confined by Eever
to bis bed. and much doubt was ex-
pressed - 10 his fate by the physician
OF the vessel. ! can never forget the
look Of agony, the look Of utter woe
that appeared upon the face Of the Iit.
tie girl when the conviction Of Der BRO
Tiers dagger came slowly home upon
her thoughts. She weps not, but hour
after hour she sas by the bed Of the
young su6eTer--an image Of grief and
beautiful affection. The boy became
daily more feeble and enaciaaed. He
could not return The long and burning
kisses q his sister, and II Last fains
heaving q the breast, and the elo-
quence Of his half-elosed eye, end q
flush ~ Intervals, upon his wasted
cheek, ike the first violent tint of q
morning cloud. were al that told that
ne bad not yet passed "the day Of no
thingness."
The twelfth eyeAing Of our absence
from land was the most beautiful Z
ever saw and J persusded tho gentle
eifl n 60 Tor q short time upon deck,
that her own lavoriis brow night be
famed BY the tSilight breeze. The
Sun had gone down in glory. and ere
traces Of the bioOd-red setting we're
STILL visible upon the Western wsfers.
Slowly, but brilliantly, the rnaay stars
we're gathering them together above,
and another sky swelled out iis soflen-
ed beauty beneath. and the fosm upon
the crest Of the waves Were lighiened
up like wreaihs Of ssow. There was
music IN every wave, and lie wild sweet
Tone came 6oaiing down from The hni-
ts1ng pennon above us, like The sound
Of q gentle wind mid e cypress grove;
oui nsisber music nor beauty bad q
spell Jog the heart Of ny httIe friend.
talked 10 her q The gloriss or he
sly sad SEAL pointed 10 fhs star on
which che bad always loved 70 look
bot beg ooly answer wns asigh--and !
tuned with her 70 ths bed-asds a. her
brother. fpssesivsf instantly thaa hs