Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-07-21

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require from my brother, not such shrivel
ed limbs as see, and instead of thai
cracked voice, the full swelling Susic o
morning heart-but that half century
is q fearful meter Of comellness and o
strength; for half century it is, dear
brother, since my hand touched thine, OF
my gaze rested upon thy face"
Mark sighed and answered not.
Then, in little while, they made en-
qures about what had befallen either
during the time past. Seated upon the
marble by which they had met, Mark
briefly told his story:
81 bethink me, broIher, many years
have indeed passed over since the sorrow
fol day when our grandsire, dying, left
US to seek our fortunes amid a wicked
and seductive world.
His last words, as thou, doubtless,
dost remember, advised US against the
snares that should beset our subsequent
iourneyings. lie portrayed tho dangers
which lie in the path Of love; he impress
ed upon our minds the folly of placing
confidence in human honor; and warned
us to keep aloof from too close comman.
ion with our kind he then died, but his
instructions live, and have ever been pre-.
sent in my memory.
Dear Nathan, why should conceal
from you that at that time loved. My
simple soul, ungiheI with the wisdom OF
our aged relative, had yielded to the deli
cious folly, and the brown eyed Eva was
my young hearts choice. Q brother,
even now, the feeble and withered thing
| am, dim recollectiuns, pleasant passages
come forth around me, like the JOY OF old
dreams. A boy again, and in the confid
ing heart of the boy, walk with Eva by
the rivers banks. Aud the gentle crea-
ture bushes at my protestations OF love,
and leans her cheek upon my neck. The
regal sun goes down in the west, and we
gaze upon the glory Of the clouds that at
tend his setting, and while we look at their
fantastic changes, laugh sounds out,
clear like flute, and merry as the Jng-
ling of silver bells. 1t is the laugh Of
Eva"
The eye of the old man glistened with
unwonied brightness. tie paused, sighed,
the brightness faded away, and he went
on with his narration:
Gas | said, the dying lessons of him
whom we reverenced were treasured IN
my soul. lcoulj not but feel their truth.
feared that # again stood beside the
maiden of my love, and looked upon her
face, and listened to her words, the whole.
some axioms might be blotted from my
thought, so ! determined to act as became
a MAJ: from that hour | never have be-
held the brown-cyed Eva.
al went amid the world. Acting upon
the wise principles which our aged friend
taught US, looked upon every thing with
suspicious eyes. Alas found it but too
true that niquily ard deceit are the ruling
spirits of men.
Some called me cold, calculating, and
unamable but it was their own unwor-
thiness that made me appear so to their
eyes. am noi--you know, my brother
Il am not naturally Of proud and repul-
sive MANNER but was determined never
to give my friendship to be- blown oil a.
gain, it might chance, as feather by the
wind nor Intervene my course oil lille
with those that very likely would draw
all the advantage Of the co6nexion, and
leave me no better than before.
81 engaged in traffic. Success attend
ed me. - Enemies SAID that my good Tor
tune was the result Of chance, but knew
it the fruit of the judicous system of eau
ton which governed me in matters OF bust.
ness, as well as Of social intercourse.
"My brother, thus have | lived my life.
Your look asks me il have been happy.
Dear brother, truth lmpels me TO say no.
Yet assuredy, if few glittering pleasures
mnistercd to me on my journey, equally
few were the dlsaPpointments, the hopes
bighted, the trusts betrayed, the Paintings
of the soul, caused by the detection OF
those in whom had laid up treasures.
"Ah, my brother, the world is full oil
misery p
The disciple Of wretched faith ceased
his story, and there was silence while.
Then Nathan spake:
"ln the early years." he said, " too
loved beautiful woman. Whether my
heart was more frail than thine, or aftec'
ton had gained n mighier power over
me, could not part from her | loved with
out the satisfaction of farewell kiss
We nett had resolved to stay but a
moment,--I had chalked out my future
life after the fashion thou hast described
thine.
GLOW it was know not, but the mo-
ment rolled on to hours, and still we stood
with our arms around each other.
only brother, maiden's tears washed
my stern resolves away. The lure OF 9
voice rolled quietly from between two sol
lips, entced me from remembrance OF my
grandsre's wisdom. forgot his teach
ings, and married the woman loved.
"Ahl how sweclly sped the seasons
We wero blessed. True, there came
crossings and evils; but we wthstooc
them all and holding each other by the
hand, forgot that such thing as sorrow
remained in the world.
"ChIdren were born unto us-bravt
bows and fair girls. Oh, Mark, that, hd
is a pleasure--that swelling Of tenderness
for our offspring which the rigorous doe
trines OF your life have withheld from
you
Like you, | engaged in trade Va
rious fortune followed my path WI
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