The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-05-27
M is Z LII A N E @ I S .
For THE CECIL WING.
LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF
THE PAST.

She hath passed like bird from the minstrel
throng;
She has gone to the land where the lovely belong,
Her place is hushed by her lovers side;
Yet his heart is full ofhs fair young bride,
The hopes Of his spirit crushed and bowed,
As he thinks ofhs love in her long white shroud,
For the fragrant signs Of her pcrfuned breath,
Were kiss from her lips by his rival, Death.
Mrs. Wclby.
a lovely girl of fourteen engages my
attention. An uncommon sprightliness
shines forth i'll every action; the most
amiabIe disposition wins all hearts around
her; she is tenderly cherished by the
most affectlonate of parents and brothers
and sisters; she is sent far from home to
gain, what is deemed so necessary to all
good education, and we'll does she re-
pay her kind instructors. But OH how
often would her affection for home and
dearest kindred burst forth in touching
and allectionate epstles to those she
loved. Two years have quickly fed and
the long locked for time arrives for her
return, The delighted mother clasps the
sweet girl to her bosom no more a child,
but a lovely bud bursting forth in ali the
fragrance of the spring time Of life. She
won many friends of both sexes; but one
in particular, marked them well; fe-
male whose aflrCionate heart beat in uni
sion with her own. Their ue friend
ship strengthened, as time added new
scenes in their career, and Suitors came to
try TO win the laurel from the parent
stem; young man of inesilmabe charac-
ter and much moral worth, was the favor
ed one. Blest with the consent of their
friend. The happy day was fixed on.
The time has come, friends are colec-
ted, the ample parlors are thrown open,
and highly Illuminated, from the window
cases comes the rich fragrance of Geran-
jums-every thing is arranged tasteiully
and betokehs much pleasure. Merimenl
and humor is the order of the evening;
the old have grown young again, and the
young are in high giee; flashes Of wit are
sIenced by rustling noise in the hail.
and thllher all eyes are turned,
The minister Of God arises TO meet the
advancing group, By her lovers side,
the pale but interesting bride advances,
and to see her youthful and delicate per-
son clinging to her manly partner, as il
she looked for his protection even in this
hour, and he looked down upon her
sweet face and seemed to read her
thoughts. Their VOWS were given, and
blessings on all such are sanctioned by
the Most High. All was happiness, a tear
would glisten in the mothers eye, but
would soon be displaced by smile as
she met the delighted gances of many
!, Al! passed off happily and retired at a
late hour, (Oh, pleasure why mock thy
participants?) A short time only
intervenes when we are again solicited to
resort to the family mansion, but with a.
ching hearts and fearful eyes, and flashes
of the past rushing on our minds causing
strong emotion. The rooms are indeed
litup, but the spirit of the light is gone,
and they burn dimly. Young acquain-
lances are collected but their office is to
console the bereaved. What a scene is
presented to our view. The same form,
the same placid brow, and fair hair, the
same sweet lips, and heart is enshrined
that has ceased beating, amid throbbing
ones of anguish. But where, Oh! where
is the spirit that gave animation to that
motionless form2 An answering spirit
says with her Creator, whom she remem-
bered in the days of her youth, and he
who stands nearest seems almost as life
less as the object before him; anguish and
hear,Iending grief have taken possession
of his mind. And that mother, anxious
watcher Of her offspring from the cradle
to the tomb, how her heart is rent asun-
der to find the blossoming hope of future
years crushed by the insdious monster.
And the agony of that anxious friend
their separation sill be until the great
morn of he resurrection; the friendship
commenced on earth will ripen in gori-
Gus Eternity.
The same minister who of1iciated on
the first occasion of happiness, had the
painful duty of consignlng dust to dust,
and 10 use all his energies in consoing
the distressed, in pointing them TO Him
who hath periumed the grave seven fold
by his death and resurrection, and God in
his mercy will pour the oil Of his love on