Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-10-13

Uncertain, coy, and hard 10 please;
But when affection wrings the brow,
miaistering angel thou"
II vas autumn: the foliage had put
on ITS variegated mantle, like the pairi-
arch's coat Of many colors; and hill,
grove, field, and plain. flashed back up
on the declining beams OF the sun the
thousand reflections his splendors had
lent them. II was that gentle season
OF quiet melancholy, that tender and
saddened time Of the year when the
heart IS in unison with the gorgeous
MORNINGS Of nature; when the sensi-
bilities are the most vivid in their emo
ton, and the waiIing breeze sweeps a
chord in every soft and suffering boz
som.
Proctor was in lis library and alone,
book was in his hand, but its contents
could not Danish The busy thoughts
that possessed a counter-spell 10 the
poets imaginings. His retrospective
glance travelled back through the PEN
sive vista OF twelve solitary years. since
the gordian knot Of his nuptial chord
bad been severed by the relentless hand
of destiny. whose shears had been
sharpened by human passions, and the
wretched cavillings OF fsllible and vet
unforgiving creatures. His mind was
dwelling upon the days OF his youth:
he recalled the hour, the scene, when
he first saw Kate; and all The fresh feel
ings Of that hour. and the associations
OF that spot. were renewed within him.
He dwelt upon all the fond endearments
that then agitaied bis bosom: and. he
knew not wherefore. flush came upon
his cheek, a pang shot through his
heart, his lip trembled, and, WHY he
knew not, but he could have wepi like
a child II is true. he was no longer
young; but the world had gone prospe-
rously with him, and wealth had crown
ed his exeTiionS: be had ouiliycd all the
ISLANDERS and ill-will Of those who had
mijudged his feelings, and knew mo-
hing Of the motives; and all his early
impressions had been mellowed by the
soothing hand of time. Solitude was
uncongenial TO his nature. and although
il gave quiet TO his mind. yet it did not
bring happiness TO his heart.
"A knock disturbed his reverie, and
announced a visiier. lie was glad n
be interrupted, and the door was imme-
dia,eIy opened. when bis daughter. now
a blooming, light-hearted, Joyous aud
lovely girl. between that uncertain. but
interesting, age OF girl and womanhood,
bounded into his arms like a lawn. and
As she covered him with her kisses, the
words dear father" broke from her
rosy lips.
She had Just returned from school Tor
the season, and had come 10 spend
lew weeks with her father. whom she
loved with all the fOndness Of her in.
nocent heart.
In Kate's character there was one
conspicuous feature: she had educated
her child TO love and respect her "a
Their. and, notwithstanding the obioquy
that was heaped upon him by her own
relations, she never gave vent 10 one
single remark that implied a censure Of
his conduct. nor allowed any one TO do
u N her presence. and least Of al, ~
her daughters hearing. Her husband
had been very liberal TO her: she had
never known want since her separa.
ton from him. and her days Of renec.
ton. which had glided on IN Banquili.
". bad The EFFECT Of showing her the
folly 81 her former rash undertaking.
u hiie her present lonely condition dai.
Iy demonstrated iis discomfort.
What al who knew them bad IN vain
endeavOred 70 effect. their mutual ~.
which they both proudly
and steadily declined accident II length
brought about. Proctor was suddenly
seized with malignant fuveF.aad when
Ire hirelings OF biz establishment
shrunk from the performance Of their
duty. the daughter. perceiying her pa
rents imminent peril. made her mother
aequainted with the fact.
Strange and inscFuisble feeling Of
he female bosom, which opposition
,Fompss, and which Difficulties excite,
u -