The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-08-21
SELECTED TALES.
From the Southern Literary Messengerl
THE LOVERS TALIsMAN; OR THE
SPIRIT BRIDE.
1T MRS. sEBA snirb,

Hannah Newton, at sixteen, was merely a
quiet, sweet-looking girl. with small pre,ensions
TO beauty; for she had nothing Of that regular
ity Of feature and brilliancy o: complexion, that
are supposed 10 be essential 10 it.-She was
, neither blond nor a brunette, but a mixture
Of both-her eyes were neither black nor blue,
they we're. ] believe, hazel; but they owed
much of their power to long curved lashes,
that veiled their extreme tenderness Of express
ion, and made them appear much darker than
they really were. j say this uf Hannah in the
early part OF her life. for at thirty she was call
ed beautiful by those 10 whom an elevated ex-
preston OF countenance, combined with soft.
ness and grace Of manners, constitute beauty
Her mother was pale, gentle woman, with
large blue eyes, who had always heen an inva-
I lid, and whose delicacy Of look and demeauor
contrasted strongly with the rough, harsh man
ners OF her husband. Constant i'll health had
made her winning and dependent as a child !;
yet beneath all this scftness OF exterior, she
carried fxedness of principle, an elevation Of
mind and strength Of purpose. that had their
( full share Of influence over her stern, imper.
/ ious companion. Whatever might have been
his previous irritation Of feeling, 10 sooner did
he enter the presence of his wife, than all
traces Of il disappeared, even as il his rigid brow
had been swept by the wing Of his GOOD angel.
! Hannah bad inherited all the fine womanly
qualities OF her mother. superadded TO an ex-
eellent constitution, and dash Of her fathers
energy Of will. 1t was well for her that il was
so. for even from a child the duties Of a wo-
man had been eSacted from her, and she was
at once sister and mother to the little proup a.
bout the domestic hearth. As she approached
maturity, she became the friend and compan-
ION OF her mother, the nurse of her sick room,
and even the ulterer Of her religious faith and
devotion, as physical suffering sometimes dim
med the vvidDess Of exalted truths. At such
times the high minded girl might be seen
kneeling by the bedside, and with clasped hands,
pouring forth the simple, ferveDt prayer Of n
young heart, deeply responding to the blessed
/ truths of revelation.
| The mother pressed her TO her bosom with
tears and blessings, for her progress to the
tomb was made pleasant pilgrimage, while
cheered and supported by such a child.
At this time an addition was made 10 the lii.
tie family. in the person of youth or rare pie
~, and such powers Of intellect, rs to warrant
the elders in setting aside the ordinary rules
for bis benefit. Andrew Horton was an orphan.
left peDnyless ot his young parents, who both
died Of an epidemic when he was scarcely a
year old: bequeaibing this. their only earthly gift
to the charity Of the church. lie became az il
were. the property Of the church, and each in
dividual Of IL claimed right for the discharge
Of kindly Offices in behalf Of the little orphan
As he grew up he was, evidently, not un.
worthy Of their solcitude. He was Of rare
modesty, deep piety, and such wonderful in
tellectual sndowments that all eyes turned to
him, as Que destined to become a leader in
Israel, burning and a shining light in the
temple Of the Lord. Unusual care was be.-
towed upon his education, as was meet for one
who was hereafter 10 become the expoundcr Of
the Word, and voice 10 the people Of the
Lord.
! Friend Newton had now cl,imed his privi-
lege of entertaining. al least for one year, the
favored youth. while he should prosecute his
studies, and engage in those acts Of devotion and
pieiy. which 50 much enerossed bis affections.
and were so appropriate for one called to his
high and holy vocation.
! Mrs. Newton listened to the lofty uuersncs
Of prayer from the lips Of the pious young
man, with q new strength, and felt her faith
quickened, and her hopes elevated, while she
heard the truths Of her religion explained and
illustrated in his clear. vigorous manner, with
the glowing language Of his aspiring imagin
| ton and feryebcy Of spirit.
Hannah, always retiring. and occupied with
household matters, had little time 10 converse
with the youth but in the secrecy Of her own
heart, she sat even at his foot stool, and imbib-
ed not only the stores Of wisdom from his lips.
but the FAR more dangerous lessons Of youth
ful love.
Andrew Horton scarcely noticed the quiet
uDobtrusve maiden so occupied was he in his
studies and devotioBs. But when il became
necessary for him TO accept the hospitality Of
another Of the brethren, be started to perceive
how often the image Of Hannah mingled in bis
dreams and obtruded upon his meditations.
lie missed everywhere her sweet voice and pla
cid smile, and felt that she must hencefoth be
to him what no other maiden ever could be-
come.
The affection Of the little family occasioned
by the increasing illness Of Mrs. Newton, seem
ed to justify his frequent visits. and Andrew
Horton, more than once, upon his return from
the bedside Of the dying. threw himself upon
his knees, and besought forgiveness from the
Father Of Spirits, that his visits should have
been rather the promptngs Of earthly attach.
meDt, tbon those Of high and holy sense Of
duty. All sternness and pride OF manhood for
sook Friend Newton. As he stood by the side
OF his dying wife. He threw himself upon his
knees. pressed her hand in his own. and the
tears s,resmed from the eyes even Of the strong
man. Andrew Horton was there. and bis rich
deep voice breathed the language Of prayer
lie ceased-the soul Of the sufferer bad taken
its flight upon the wings Of his lofty ssprs-
tons the mystery Of life had ceased ia the
, cold form before him.
, Hannah arose With pale cheek and approach
ed the beresved husband.
, GO ~iih me my father" she said, gently
putting her arm ia his. while she pressed 10
, her lips his pale damp brow. The old man
, arose ~ith the dociIiiy Of little child and she
: led him forth TO an inner room. where none
might witness the agony OF that moment
, When she placed the large arm chair for him,
and had adjusted the cushions. he opened his
arms to his child. and she fell opon bi, bosom.
1t was an unsonied tenderness. for Hr. New
ton had not expressed any thing Ike II FOR any
!, other being than his wife. Nov that she had
left him. be ye'rned for some hssrtto which he