Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-05-10
From the Journal of Commerce
THE MEMORY OF THE DEPARTED.

in the village of NJ | was first intro.
duced to Miss L. She was the orphan
daughter Of the late General L. "a dIslIn~
guished officer in the U. S. Army,) and
the only child of her widowed mother.
When | first saw her clad in the
weeds she wore for her recently deceased
father, was particularly struck with her
personal loveness and beauty. Tue charm
Of "rosy check" and ruby lips were dis
tinc,ly marked upon her lovely face-wl,i!e
her full bright eye bespoke unusual Iatall-
gence of mind and amiableness Of hear-
and her dark hair, parted plainly upon her
beautiful forehead, gave soft finish to The
striking contour other features.
Mrs. L. and her daughter had come to
make n their permanent winter
residence, and more mature acquaintance
discovered that Miss L. was not dependent
solely on her personal charms TO recon-.
mend her admiration. She was lnoeed
beautiful-but more than this, she possessed
highly gifted mind, which had been
carefully cultivated. No pains nor expense
had been spared in her education, and her
attanments were already quite superior.
For though at this time but 1s years Of
age, she was familiar with several an.
guages, her reading was extensive, and
she was skilled in many of the elegantac.
complishments. Indeed one needed b,t a
short acquaintance with her 10 be assured
that for solidity Of character, intelligence
of mind, and loveliness Of temper, as we'll
as elegance of manners, Miss L. was des-
tined to shine in every circle which enjoyed
her presence. 1t was not strange thenthat
she was the pride Of that widowed one, who
clungto her, as her earthly all. Cften
have looked upon that mother
and daughter, SO happy in their mutual
afectons-the former SO blessed in the
child, who seemed to realize her .ondest
expectations, and the daughter so devoted
so con6dng; and have said to myself, sure
ly there is domestic bliss, even for the WIDOW
and the orphan!
Two years passed on. Miss L. was the
more beloved as she was more known, but
best esteemed by those who knew her best.
For while she mingled occasionally In the
social circles of NJ, and was universally
admired and caressed, the greatest part OF
her time was devoted 10 the happl'ess OF
her mother, and to the continued improve
men Of her own mind. My distance from
her was such, that l could not often see her;
butt always met her on "the sacred solemn
day." in the sanctuary and he meek
and solemn aspect, her fixed and careful
attention, to the instructions Of divine truth
caused me to hope, that with all her yetlinss
she was seeking that wisdom whlchcometh
from above. The sequel Of her history
encourages the belief that was nd mista.
taken. She was still sometimes seen in
the "gay and festive hail." and those scenes
Of amusement TO which her station in life
and'her early associates l,adled her, r,but now
there was an expression in her coun~
tenance, which said her heart was MOI
there.
About a year since, met her n com.
pany with few Of our acquaintances, at
the home of a friend. She was not well.
A cold had occasioned an unpleasant
cough, which still affected her. It was
not however regarded as a serious indspo'
sition, and excited little apprehension, save
in an anxious mot er's heart. | saw her
in the spring. She was better, but not well.
The rose had faded upon her cheek, and
her face was thin and delicate. But it was
believed by her friends thar the warm
weather would restore her. The summer
was passed in travelling and visiting her
friends, ard in September she returned to
N. | soon called to sec her. She was
"better, much better, except that little cold
had renewed her cough" But she was
now sadly changed. | noticed the anxious
expression Other mothers face, as she look
ed upon her lovely child; and as heard
the gentle soothing words, another, you
are TOO anxious for me, am much betier,''
my heart sunk within me with dread fore.
bodings. feared that permanent disease
had fastened upon her.
The New Years day had come. 1t was
a day ofgladsome joy-friends were greet.
ing friends-parents and children were
gathered round the freside hearth 10
mingle their congratulations-and the
village N. was rejoicing in the festivities
of the season. But there was an upper
chamber in that vigc, which presented
solemn scene. There was a lovely.
beautiful girl, whom scarcely twenty sum.
ners had ripened into womanhood, who
lad grown up amid the facinations Of the
world, the object of admiration and love-
the only child of her mother and she a
vidow"-She had now come up and laid
Ter down upon the bed Of death. There
Vas the agonized, heart stricken parent,
ookipg upon the wasting away Of all she
a-ad mon earth, There were kind and