The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-10-15


With which used TO sweetcn future cares.
A fortnight, the period allotted for the stay oflhe
visilers, passed most happily. Every day they
srolled over jagg"d rocks, exploring the deep
chasms followed out by the constant beating of,hc
waves, and gazed upon the frowning cliffs. some
of them TOPPING to their fall, the wash Of the sea
having worn away their bases-openins here and
there, to their very hearts, deep reccsscs and dark
caverns, into which the surges rushed with dis
nal booming sound-gurglins along unseen passa-
ges, ard returning in ri'ls of sparkling miIk-whito
foam; or they would
Stand on some high becns rock,
Or dusky brow Of savage promontory,
Watching The waves with all their white crcsts dancing
Come, like thick plnn'd squudrons, TO the shore
Calamity bounding
sights and sound, which never stated the eve or pal
led on the ear, and which thrilled the enthusiastic
heart Of Caroline with emotions to which. ere this,
it had been stranger. Frequently they were ac-
companied by the wreckor, who detailed to them,
as they sat on some bold height which overlooked
the ocean, some old legend Of the sea-some tale
Of shipwreck and peril or some stirring adventure
in which he had taken part during long and
eventiul life.
Another wcck--and at last another month had
nearly expired ere they took their leave and then
with feelings Of regret they tore themselves away
from spot which, despite its baroness, had
charms from them all, and which was endeared to
Ellen by considerations already sufficiently explain
ed.
The evening Of the day on which they lcf, the
wreckcr and his wife sat alone by the door Of their
hut-he former in the enjoyment Of his time
colorcd pipc-but occasional sigh, from the lat
ter, seemed to indicate a heart III at ease.
Come, cheer up, Bess.' said the old man, pla-
cling his hand aflectionatey on her shoulder,-'Lifa
is made up of partings. The dear girl is happy
what more can we ask. A noble fellow is tina,
husband of hcrs-a worthy frow--and Il fine girl,
too, is that sister Of his. And then to see how
Nell and she take to each Other.'
1t is not the parting, John, that saddens mel
said the wife in subdued tome my thoughts
were on something else. Do you remember that
it is jus, twenty-five years this day since the los,
one was restored to us''
twenty-five years! No, no, Bass, you're
mistaken, rejoined the wrecker, taking ibis pipe
from his mouth and gazing into his wIes face with
an expression Of doubt.
twenty-five years this blessed day, husband
1t can't be'--replied the old man. Let me
see, he added, it was in the year is and
with the stem Of his pipe he touched the tips ofthe
fingers of his left hand 10 assist him in counting the
years from that date.
Il wouldn't have believed it-twenty-,wo years"
he exclaimed in low voice as he concluded his
reckoning How time slips away"
Am right, John"
sIt can't be olherwise--it must be so. But
what of that, Bess-are You sad that we are grow
ing and grey''
.Oh no, that is no, it, husband. 1t would be
sin to repine wheH lie has crowned all our days
with goodness No, no, John. but was thinking
as we shall soon BIO called and as she has got to be
fine lady, it is our duty to tell the dear girl the
truth concerning her pureniase.'
The wife paused and looked at her husband as
if waiting his reply But he was silent. With an
distracted air he sat gazing on the ground as If
revolving some unpleasant thought in his mind.
The proposition suggested by his wife had Of late
often occurred to him and engaged much Of his
,houaht.. From the manner Of both it was EVIL
deuty enc not of very pleasing nature, for its
consideration threw a shade Of gloom over them