Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-01-06
THE PEACE OFFERING.

the attention, TO an excess detrimental TO
the more necessary and important employ
'menis of life, which may not become as
baneful in its effects, as the indulgence
of palpable, or even criminal irregulari-
ties.
Such, however, was not the opinion of
Eric Korner, as the shades of evening
fell on the second day Of his entire abb
sence from business, and found him still
employed IN his little garden, devoted to
the cultivation of his loved carnations.
They will blow on the morrow" men,
tally calculated Eric, sand the prize will
be mine, despite tho boassing of Van
Buren, ;" and closing the door of his sum-
mer pavilion, erected on the model of
his fathers lust-haus' at Frankfort, he
mounted his horse, and lett the quiet vii
lage of Harlem, for the gaiety and bus
tie of the Broadway, New York.
No merchant of that busy city had grea-
ter cause for eontentment than Eric Kor-
ner; his affairs were prosperous, his
home was all he desired the bright eye
OF his young wife beamed brighter on his
approach, and the pratlle of little Blanche,
his only child, could win him even from
his flowers And if he occasionally left
his counting house in Wall Street at an
earlier hour than his compatriots, it was
not for the conviviality of Niblo's, or the
rapid drive to various establishments of
festivity in the neighborhood, but to enjoy
his merchaum and the fresh of Harlem,
In the society of all the most oved,-his
wife, bis child, and his carnations.
Such were the excuses rendered by his
friends for the indulgence of a pursuit
which, although harmless in itself, GER
tAinly occupied many hours that might
have been more proftably employed; but
even their partial feeling was excited 10
an expression of disapprobation, on OBJ
serving his favourite occupation become a
passion for which even his best interests
were gradually neglected.
A prize hal been offered for the finest
specimen of peculiar species of his f.
vourite flower, by an horticultural society
yet in its infancy; and, with spirit of ri
valry excited by the boast of a country
man, who claimed its exclusive posses
sion, Korner had sent expressly TO Hol-
land for variety ofthe plant in question
his whole attention had been devoted t.
their culture, and with feelings of delight
on the evening our story commences, h,
gazed on the partial deyelopement of thei
/ beauties.
| On the following day, at the earHes
hour he could escape from business, h
fastened to HARLEM, accompanied by hi
wife, his child, and friend, to whom
with exulting pride, ne displayed his flo
raj treasure, one flower of which was il
| fail maturity. Engaged in conversation
IN the snmmer-house, whilst Mrs. Korne
prepared refreshments, little Blanch
| roamed through the garden; and, al
| though previously told on no account I,
approach the particular spot where all hi
ambition was, for the moment, centred
there, when removed from observation
| did her little steps Immediately incline
and, like an infant Eve allured by tn,
| gllttering hue, she first inhaled lis balm
perfume, and then slucked the interdicte
flower! With no CONSCIOUSNESS of wrong
she ran, with childish glee, to display he
nowl y acquired treasure. Irritated at tn
moment, Korner snalched away the prize
and, with an angry exclamation, pushe
, her from him; she toitered, and fell {
her mothers feet, who raised her instant
ly, and strove, by every endearment, I
console her, and instantly regretting II
folly of his anger, he fondly caressed tn
weeping child. who, although evidentl
dninlured, would not be comforted sh
: appeared astonished and bewldered, an
3 replied to all enquiries but by sobs an
tears; nor could the parents united effor
9 remove the deep impression evident
! made by this, his first ebulhtion of III
: kindness.
They returned home, and, until ala
hour, Korner sat with Blanche upon h
' knee, and won her again to comparati'
d cheerfulness and often, during the nigE
d stole gently to her little bed, to watch wi
: anxiety her uneasy slumber. On the fl
4 lowing morning she complained efhea
ache, and, on his return from business,
forgot his garden and his flowers rs
: pressed her fevered lips and throbbiI
O pulse, and watched with agony the cou
e tenance of her medical attendant at
Y All incipient fever" said he, in answer
Y Korner's anxious enquiry, developed
IS strong excitement. " He retired, with t
+ promise Of an early visit on the MORO
! by which time the heart-broken faith,
with many a bitter imprecation of
csuseless anger, gazed on the pallid cou
y tenance of his beloved child, who |
n calm and smiling in her sleep of death
vi
ri twas night: the bereaved mother
by the coffin of her infant, whom the n,
10 day was to consign to kindred earth; /
! gazed on the little bed, the late loved (
= cupant Of which now tenanted mario
i err couch fancy filed up each eml
N garment with her forrn;' the little slippl
s. recalled the welcome sounds which we
ID wont TO herald her a2proachs the scatt
,e ed playihIngs told ofmany joyous shs
'. lfrom lips now cold and motonless for {
; err and the stifed sob burst each effort
concealment.
= The door opened, and Korner gid
: iAto the room. He gazed for moml
on the pale features of bis child; kis'
8 her cold lips; and mastering, with a c,
% vnlsive effort, his strong emotion, hurr
" from the chamber.
m The mother turned on his departure
the coffin. There lay the calm infaI
~ andin her hand, freshly gathered, .