The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1838-07-27

eriug around IL; for was so far from ever
being guilty of writing poetry, that | really
could not believe for a moment, that she
seriously thought me capable of such per.
petratlon; but in a few moments she took
from the book case a neatly bound Album,
and spreading II on the table where pen and
INK we're previously placed, she invited me
to the task with an air Of .olemmty, which
could not fail TO convince the that the re-.
quest was made more IN earnest than through
courtesy. What could | do had not
the heart 10 refuse, nor the genius to com.
ply. My brain was as dry "as the remain.
der biscuit after voyage" Never did !
stand SO much in need of mind, or deplore
it's wants so much as on this occasion. True,
the evening was serene and beautiful, and
might have warmed the breast that had the
least spark of poetic feeling about II; but
niue had no dormant energies of this ma
ture TO awaken, aud neither the kIndllng
influence of fine weather, nor the more IN.
spring power Of Fanny's presence, could
remove my constitutional inability 10 rhyme.
To attempt It, knew very well that the
failure would be SO completely shameful
that should lose much Of her esteem, aud
vet not to do il must inevitably incur her
most serious dlspleasure. | determined
however to risk the attempt; and seating
myself BY the table, | seized the pen IN
despair, dipped It in the stand, and turning
my eyes upwards, but not in fine frenzy
rolling" began cogtatiug on what subject
| should hx for my ianclfu etilsion.
| bad remained in this attitude but a short
time before my musings appeared 10 be un
tremendously Interrupted. The whole
family were IN busy uproar. The servants
were running 10 every direction, from room
to room, oil actively engaged IN cleaning
and decorating the manson. Come we're
hanging new danask curtains over the win.
dows-seme regulating tho glasses on
we'll loaded sideboard Others repleulsaiug
the fllVer. pots with water and fresh rose,
whilst Fanny S youngest sister was ian,astt
cdliy ornamenilng PAIR at large Candle
sticks with paper leaves. The Turkey car
pet was moved and the floor drv rubbed
for a dancing patty we're gong on, and ap.
pareniy for that purpose. Presently scr.
want glr entered the room with bundle OF
evergreeus, with witch she Commenced
decorating the mantle piece, ana then pro.
ceeded 10 a large mirror, that hung on the
wall opposite 10 me N such a postum that
1t reflected TO my view the image Of Fanny
as she Law reclining on the sofa ~ a thou lht.
tu and penslve manner. Her counienance
IS frequently tinged wllh a singh, me!an.
chply bat now, II seemed To wear a deep
gloon. certainly had never seen her face
so cIUuded by sadness before; her mud
appeared to re distracted, tor she took 10
notice Of ahat vas going on unlll the scr.
want maid asked her If she designed 10 have
The walls Of the parlor tesooned with The
vines. /" Do as you please" She repiied,
and rising from the sofa size LEFT the room
with tear, as | thought, qulverlng IN her
soft blue eye. Nhdt was the meaning OF
all this could form 90 possible cunlac.
ture. lenqulred Of the seryant--her words
were as dagger to my heart. "Nhy, have
YOU not heard, said she that thus IS Miss
Fanny s wedding night = could hear no
more; the mad would have proceeded, bu,
my brain reeled and fell upon the floor
~ state Of Insensibdlty. How long | re.
NAMED IN that situation, know not; bul
was awkened from i BY the entrance Of
tall youog gentleman Of handsome deport.
men, and splrndldly atllred, with % broad
felicity Of lace Oespeaking light mind and
a happy heart. Ii was Tor his coming that
all these preparations were made, for be was
M happy rival, who was that very night
to be married to tho fair Fanny. Prompted
by despe ration flew at the Williams throat.
He fed. lie vas my friend sc we're born
n the same village, educated at the samc
school, had been intimate from oar boy lsh
days, wore bin IN my " heart core" aud
not circumstance had ever transpted
until the present occurrence, to weaken
the bond IS brotherhood that bound Us to
arlher. q al my acqna;nianccs, be was
the only oge to whom | had communicated
the secret of my attachment to Fanny. He
abused that confidence TO sDpgaul me IN her
al cilous. And shall | bpw ~ degrading
Illumination to the wrong ? No-rllher r.,
me perish first. Cursed b. the coward arm
that ta!lefs 10 JUS; revenge. Nuh lmpre.
cations ou ny rivals head, fsd the hab,.
tatlon.
AIIidea Of 10Y journey was uow banished
irosn my ntui, my every thought was devo
ted I" revenge; my neau VAS furnace
of & ii a
boiled tor vengeance. Retiring 10 nv
room, | ~beited ny dagger aud reloaded
my pistol. &lii mar his mirh, y" SAID |