The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-10-28
FOR TIE CAMDEN JcrRSAL.


gincd she possessed some little talent for
scribling, but for fear of being refused
has never offered any of her eilusions for
pa ublicalion until the present. Being de-
termined to know if she really cnn write
any thing worthy the trouble of perusal'
she therefore respectfully requests you
to examine the following, and if it meets
your appreciation, just save vacant cor
ncr in your paper for the MUSINGS OF AN
OLo MAID.
MUSINGS NO. |.
Oh Autumn! again, in the revolving
course Of time, hast thou returned. and
with thy coming, chilling winds, falling
leaves, and fading flowers, follow in
thy train, and even, as we gaze upon the
desolating influences Of thy passing brcaih'
our souls arc filled with melancholy, when
we remember that, as will, thy sad and
solemn season,
An thus It IS VIII W2Ttd! iDe'
Memory becomes busy within US. We
hurry back through the long vista Of years
that arc past; to the days of childhood;
when, like bright sunny spring, our paths
werc strewcd with flowers; all was hope,
caic,y, and beauty, when our days glided
along undimed, save by the passing cloud
of childish grief--and then we remember
the happy stroll beside the silver stream,
which flowed seutly along the foot o. Inc
grassy knoll, where stood lhe- II ONE
stead. PERHAPS ..ui'cthus we muse on
days scae B., cntahy years have fled since
we beheld that beloved spot. endeared to
our hearts by so many fond ties; h;s
which, alas! have been rent asunder one
Inv one. Some who shared our sports be-
side that gliding stream. like ourselves,
have sough, in other lands home-others'
alas, loo many-well do we remember,
have long since passed to that home
where the weary are at rest.
There was ono. friend of my youth,
and while thus write Of thee, the rccol.
lection Of our youthful friendship, comes
over nv soul like the lingering notes Of
some pIaintive melody, which leaves us
soolhcd-yel melancholy-we know not
why.
Oh! she was being rich in bounty,
sod intellect. And who could view that
noble brow; those dark eyes, from which
flashed the fire Of genius; or scan the
Eneameuts of that noble and express
sive countenance; but felt as if she was
almost too pure for earth. Our joys. our
SORROWS nil were one. McIhinks | hear
ag .in, that merry laugh-and sweet voice
carolIing forth somc little dilty' as we
s,rol,cd ar,n in arm through the VI oodlanus'
or painting made our way, to tho top o'
some mount, and gazed with admiration
upon the beauties Of our native valleys;
but
She is gono, and am Lett
In stranger land to mourn,
NV heart Of every tic berett,
of friends of kindred, and Of home.
There was one who sought her love.
And after he had gained the pure and
never ending, passionate love of that fond,
confding girl-hc proved faithless. To
q mind so sensitive as Mary's-such treat
ment could not pass unregarded. Her
spirits droopcd, books, company, all were
neglected.
Oh! oh! how oft have I mingled my
,c,rs with hers, as she would lean her
head upon my bosom, and in p'aintive
murmurings, pour forth the anguish Of
tina, breaking heart. Such misery could
not long be endured, without a pros'ro'
ton of bodily health. She gradually
pined away uniiI no longer able to join
the family circle-we bore her to her
chamber, laid her upon her dying couch
and nought was lef, us but the sad duty OF
watching her daily sink nearer to the
grave.
Oh. how wildly do the events of that
:h, ,nnear hoforc me n0W-When for