The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-08-14

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from side TO side All was silence but anon,
low music stole softly upon him, pleasant yet
mounful; II thin mist rose slowly from the bosom
of the waters and shrouded by it as with veil,
appeared his charming vision. Flowers were
wrealhed in her flowing hair, and light robe hung
from her shoulder down hergraceinl form, fiamel
stood entranced in eXtacy.
"EIamet," said the vision, elf thou wouldsl
have me stand beside the palpable aswell to touch
as to sight, make thou this sign; and if there be
no evil in thy SOUL the charm will fail not
As she spoke she extended her hands, and per-
fored mystic sign. liamet eagerly gazed, and
without one misgiying of iear-for why should the
pure heart fear?--he repeated it after her. Upon
the instant, that music swelled into bold and
animated notes-a film came over the vision
of Hamet-and when il passed away there kneel-
ing at his side, clothed like maiden of bagdad,
and looking up into his face with fearful expression
of ardent love, was the beautiful vision. Enrap-
tured' he lifted her from her recunbent posture,
casped her to his heart and while he did so, fell
hers beating against his own-and he pressed a
passionate kiss upon her lips.
"IIamet," said she, ] am guardian spirit OF
the good. | have seen thy unbending virtue, and
have loved thee 1t is permitted to me to take
this earthly frame, and dwell with thee and serve
thee, so long as no evil stains thy soul. II thou
priest me, oh, remember this When thou dost
hesitate between the wright and the wrong, then
danger will assai me; and if thou falest am lost
| TO the forever Never again can speak OF this
TO thee but shouldst thou pause in thy balance
| with vice and find me on the brink of ruin, let vir-
tue iumine thy soul once more; make thou the
magic sign, and shall be thine again!'
She ceased, and Ilamet poured out his soul to
her in gratitude and devotion. Together they re-
turned to the city to his lowly cottage. Hamet
took immediate means for the solemnzatiOn oitheir
marriage, and Selma was his wife
The absorbing strength Of her love for him, far
transcending frai, earthly passion, may be easily
imagined. A happy spirit, she had left her eihe-
al home and assumed mortal frame, to be per-
picked with mortal ills, and to weep in mortal sor
row. She had done this, too, not to dwell in the
glittering palace, but the humble cottage not to
share the glory of prince, which one so sweet,
so beautiful might have done, but to pillow her
head upon the breast of poverty and dsappolnt-
ment. But she cared not fo all this. Her devO-
ton cheered the pryations of poverty and dispel-
ed disappointment goom--and Eamet was con-
tented in his bliss with her
| Thus passed year and then the wicked Ca
lph desired to achieve an Infamous design. A good
man was to be ruined as Hamet had been ruined.
But this new victim was wary and watchful, and
not to be easily overcome. The people too had
begun to look with eyes askance upon their unjust
ruler, and when ever he went abroad he left the
fires of hate were spreading, and he dare not per-
secute another now, so openly as he had prosecute
ed the unfortunate lIamel. There was need of !,
cunning brain. ready wit, to film injustice with
sophstry and deceive the argus eyes of praying
iocs, The Caliph consulted in careful secrecy,
with that pander to his wckedness, Selim, the Vi
zicr No one could be thought Of for n long time.
At length the Cahph called to mind the long for
gotten lIamet. He started at the thought, and ma
med him TO Selim, as one TO serve their purpose,
could he be bribed 10 undertake the task.
Hasten Selim," said he hasten and inquire
if he be vet alive and il he can be found let him
be speedily conveyed hither that may treat with
him. Gold is potent with the poor, and my Offer
shall be unstinted Go at once -
II needed but little enquiry among the thousand
spies of the government, to discover the home o.
Ilamct! and Immediately the Grand Nzier SEN
his trusliest conidan to summon him TO the palace
llamet was reclining on an ottoman oil the meanes'
materials, and Selma was sitting on cushion at
his feet, looking into his eyes, cuspng his hand
and soothing him by words of love- when the mes
sengcr entered Hamet received his communists
ton in wonder but professed hi, readiness to o.
bey--for, TO hesitate at the Caliph's command
had been speedy death ; and imprntng ierven
kiss on SeIimas lips he followed his guide TO thu
palace.
When the Cuph knew that they had come. hi
sent for the messenger first, that he might enquire
in what condition he had found llamet, III ordc
that he might suit his offers to his fortunes.
81 found him, your llighness," said the mes
senger " in poverty but there was with him
creature, more beautiful than ever before greeted
and dazzled my sight Her hair is like virgin gold
her skin Of prary whitcness, and oh, her eye
are softly bright and her smile Of sweetness
such Us illumcs no other face among Bagdad
iairest daughters"
These few words so fired Caliph, that he sprun!
up in an extacy, and commanding the Vzer
make TO hamet whatever proposition might be ne
cessary and to detan him until his return, he dor
/. ned disguise, and hurried with the messenger T.
lIamet's house.
lie reached the door, just as Selim, the Vizer
c propounded to Hamet the work that was desire
: of him and he gazed in rapture on Selma, an
: resolved that before the morrow she should be his
Just as Hamct, bewildered by the brlbe that wa
offered to him. hes,ated TO reject it. Poor Selma
She felt that evil was impending but when Tia
g met came, with distracted air, and wrupt in hin
d self, did not respond as he had been wont 10 he
II fond endearments, she could not remind him OF tn
fearful sake nat WOulu De inc pcndtN vi Ills hips
e from virtue her destiny and his forbade. But sh
Il assiduously testified her love, and tried by Tears
IS smiles, by caresses, by protestations, to win hin
from his ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS him to look upo
:, her and thus be recalled to himself again. ltwG
q IN vain !
|. When evening came Hamet left Selma, TO wal
i abroad and mediate. palace 10 dwell in---co
d fers swelling with gold-honors unnumbered--o
J. fee, dignity and favor-all that could crafty an
i bion, taste or desire, were within his grasp; wou
&c he bnt accomplish one end And what was that
e TO plunge another in misery as he had been plunge
p and why not' After all, it was to swell b'
Z. by one name alone, the huge catalogue of wo-
N was but one to heave loud from his own shoul,
: crs upon those of another. But the guilt Ala
re goodness, as he had learned from sad experience
IN was no guaranty against misfortune in this world
4 how was he sure that il would be smiled upon
IS the next Thus he reasoned, and while he reason
ID the mnons of the Caliph, who had watched bis a
id sence seized the shriekng Selma, covered by ii
'e darkness and bore her 10 the palace. lIamet r,
- turned to his bome-no Selma was there, il WI
v an unusual circumstance but so wrapt was he
10 his mental struggle, that he scarcely noticed ill.,
s. He sat down. The sight ofhls miserable furnu
r,oro yiyiJ tho yisions Of patnpss M