The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-02-24
CAMDEN, CAROLINA WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY

| appeared infull view. 1t was one of those
romantic spots which attracts the eye Of
every passing traveller, who is at all sus,
ceptible to the charms of rural beauty
Approached by a long avenue of:rich
evergreen, the house itself was thickly
environed by trees of perennial freshness,
whose verdure afforded a beautiful con-
trast to its pure whiteness." A mountain
of the Blue Ridge, in the back ground of
our landscape, seemed to frown with its
prominent brow upon a rich valley be-
meath, in which the feecy focks were
sporting in their merry gambols; the hea-
wy oxen, some .brousing, others recum-
bent masticating the collected cud;+ and
nimble horses, running and rioting in their
temporary freedom, as if forever liberated
from labor. On the right, commenced a
slightly undulating surface of green, ex-
tending beyond the limits Of vision, and
forming an even horizon which seemed to
be pencilled on the sky itself. On the
left, were fields waving with the rich har-
vest, telling tina: plenty resided here. The
tenant of the mansion was an elderly
widow, whose cheek still retained the
traces of her former beauty, and whose
benignant disposition and social ease of
manner were as inviting as her own syl-
van cottage.
Miss Wesley and Gordon found the
rest of the party collected before the
gate, awaiting their arrival; for their slow
progress had well agreed with the dis
tressed spirits Of the lover.
Observing that Edwards pride was
aroused, Miss Wesley expected that his
conduct towards Augusta would be mark
ed with GOODNESS and reserve; but it is not
always that pride is.an overmatch for af-
fection, when the object of the latter is
present. The company being assembled
in well furnished and spacious parlor,
Gordon Immediately resumed his atten-
tions to Miss Stanhope, and assumed such
cheerfuIness as might lead her to suppose
that nothing had disturbed the even tenor
of his spirits, or at all clouded his pros
poets. Again he thought he saw the same
approving smiles which before had darted
beams of hope into his troubled soul, and
began to reproach himself for being led
into the construction which Miss Wesley
had put upon her actions to Harper. His
penance, however, was not Of long dura-
ton.
81 had promised myself the pleasure OF
your company in the ride, Miss Augusta,
and regretted much that I was antlci-
pated."
As the reply was on herlips Harper ap-
preached them, and, catching his eye, she
gave one of those winning glances
which Gordon too plainly perceived, and
which he had thought were reserved for
himself alone; various remarks which she
continued to make, as also her accompa-
nying actions, were sufficient to convince
the heart-swelling lover, that the company
of Frank Harper was preferred to his
own. Summoning the whole force OF
his pride, to steel him against the influence
! Of her cool treatment, he turned quickly
off, with an all. ofsapparent nonchalance,
and was soon deeply engaged III. conyer.
sation with Miss Wesley, whose agreea-
bic society could have thrown tempo.
rary oblivion over any cares, save those Of
wounded lover.sss
Conversation began,eventually towane
when Juliet was handed to piano, whose
enlivening tones, erelong, set all hearts in
tune. Miss Stanhope and Harper led of
the waltz, and for some time were the
only two actors in the scene. All delay.
ed to admire the graceful movements Of
| Augusta, whose attractive beauty, both oi
form and face, had lost none of its en-.
chanting power over Edward, notwith'
standing the wound she gave him. Others
began to follow, and soon the whole party
were whirling in the giddy pastime. The
first to stop were Harper and his fair part
ner, who almost exhausted, leaned agains
the piano for support. Gordon and Emma
were the last to lc91-e, - : nv
e.itiation Mnta t5a Being excited, the effort to out
do each other, so common with walters
was sustained rather longer thanprudence
dictated; and Miss Wesley must have
fallen, but for the timely assistance of hel
partner, vto caught her in his arms
During short swoon that ensued, he ad
ministered what his skill suggested, ane
manifested great interest in her restora
lion. which was soon effected. This tenn