The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-10-14
A FRAGMENT.
40! let me court Lethean streams,
The sorrowing sense to steep,
And drink oblivion of the themes
On which I con,,ot ,,,oo,,O y
On which ! cannot weep"


On which cannot weep"
In that season of life, when the hearts
enthusiasm gives fervor to all its affections
first commenced that unfortunate attachment
between Augustus and Amelia. The geni-
us and accomplishments of Augustus were
the themes of every tongue. He possess
ed proud aspiring soul-he anticipated,
with sanguine confidence, the time when
his talents and industry would be an honor
to himself, and service to those around him.
His own Amelia, with heart that could so
well appreciate his excellencies, found
proud enjoyment in those plaudits so often
associated with his name, and happiness in
those warm affections which her own
charms had created o! there was not one
thorn among the roses of their own Eden
there was. not one cloud in the pure skies
that illumined its bowers-there were no
sounds but those 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-her harp had not
one sound Of sadness in its varied notes
and lightest in the dance were her own
footsteps, among its graceful evolutions.
Thus passed those days away, till Angus
tus, in the tumults of the world, exchanged
the dreams of those romantic hours, for the
cold realities of life; and cold they were to
one so enthusiastic: rugged indeed to one
so ambitious, were those steps towards the
temple Of fame, over which not even genius
could give wings to bear him-but step by
step his weared 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 sGrround the beautiful village
where SO many of his days had been pass
ed where breathed the murmurings of his
discontent-and even those haunts which
endeared this adopted home, were sought,
not at once, TO indulge in dreams of love
and hope-but to hide amid their shades
the. dark despondence of his spirit.
Amelia, too, whose presence was once, so
replete with bright associations, served but
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 feeling
nature, he was now, in his moments of
gloom, cherished in her heart with an af- |
tection yet more impassioned. But why |
(thought she) the gathering shades upon his
brow. Can he not be happy without the
applause of a multitude! Can he not leave
the scene where his hopes have failed and
seek in love and friendship, alone, joy
worth all ambition could have promised?
Amelia was happy still-for Augustus was
10 her as in her best days; and in losing the
ickle favors ofthe world, she knew he had
lot lost that which ought TO have secured
hem. But with all the splendor of talents
Augustus was deficient in frmness of mind
md independence of spirit. His time was
Wasted in gloomy Incidence, till he at length
ought in intemperance fancied oblivion
# his ills. The companions of his viruous
lays forsook him-his friends, while they
nourned his degeneracy, left in the haunts
f dissipation one who might command the
aspect and admiration of all. {
But Amelia, with woman's constancy, |
'as faithful still. Many were the efforts of {
er family to lead those affections from an c
bject no longer worthy her regard-but t
ugustus, scorned and forsaken, found one,
least, whose look would not reproach,
hose tongue would never censure. S
For him the music of her harp was still o
at times melancholy tone II
ould steal into those strains meant for /
atty alone-that eye, through its glance
ere all his own, was fast losing the luster
its hue-and that cheek, where the rose u
ice bloomedso brightly, had not now one II
ace ofits crimson tinge. Each day as il
lssed brought deeper melancholy to the