Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-12-05
From The Lights and S4sdors Of Scottish L.fs.
THE LOVERS LAST VISIT.


Hilltop, vas beamng far above the high
IS, birch wood, seeming 10 tfavellsfs At a
distance in the long valley below, VIII
know II not, t. be star in the sky. A
bright fire was 10 the k tchen Of that small
tenement the flor was washed, swept
and sanded. and not footstep had MARI.
ed is perfec; neatness small table was
covered, near the ingle, with snow
white cloth, on which was placed frugal
evening meal and in happy but pen
/ sye mood sat there all alone the wood
/ cutters daughter, onmely and gentle
creature il not beautiful such an one as
dihuses pleasure round her in the hay
/ field, and serenity over the seat in which
/ she sits al,entively on the Sabbath, listen.
| ing to tho word Of God, or joining with
mellow voice 10 bis praise and worship.
On this night she expected visit from
her lover, that they might fix their mar
rage day; and her parents satisfied and
happy that their child was to be married
10 respectable shepherd, had gone TO
pay visit to their nearest nrIghbor in
the glen.
A feeble and hesitating knock was
heard at the door, not like the glad and
joyful touch Of lovers hand; and eau.
tlously opening it, Mary Robinson be-
held a female figure wrapped up IN a
cloak with her face concealrd in black
! bonnet. The stranger whoever she
might be seemed weary aud worn out,
and her feet bore witness to long day S
travel across the marshy mountains. Al
though she could scarcely help consider.
Ing her an unwescome visitor at such an
hour, yet Mary had too much sweetness
of dispesi.ion--too much humanity, not to
request her to step forward into the hut !;
for Il seemed as il the wearled woman had
los, her way, and had come right toward
Their shining window to be put right up.
on her journey 10 the low country.
The stranger took OFF her bonnet on
reaching he fire; and Mary Robinson
hebeld the 'ace ofone whom in youth she
hal tendsrly loved; although for some
| years past the distance at which they liz.
ed from each Other had kept them from
meeting. and only letter writ y in their
simple way, had gwen them few mott
ces of each others existence. And now
Mary had opportunity, in the frs, speech
less z ze Of recognition, to mark the alter.
ed lace Of her t,iend and her heart was
touched with ~ ign rant compassion.
"For mercy's sake sit down, Sarah
and tell me what EVIL has f Hen you !;
for you are as white as ghost. Fear not
to con6de anything 10 my bosom; we
nave her1ed sh,e p together On the lonely
braes-"e have stripped bark together in
the more lonely woes we have played,
laughed. sung and danced tog ia I'VE
have talked nerrly and gally, bur limo
Gently enough surely, of our sweeth.a is
together; AMI S,r,h, graver thoughts
have we shared, for when your poor
br Their died away like frosted flow
er, cred as if had been his sister nor
can ever be SO happy IN this world as
10 forget him. Tell me, my In nd,
why are you here and why your sweet
tage is 50 CHASTITY T.
The heart of this unexpected visitor
died within her at these kind and affec
Tomato inquiries For she had come on
an errnnd that was Likely to dash thu Joy
from that happy counieuance. II heart
upbr id her for the meanness OF the
purpose for which she pad the vlsi! !;
bat is was only a passiag lhought for
was she, innocent and free from SIN To
submit not only to deseslion but to dis
grace, and not to trust herself and her
wrongs, aud her hope Of redress, to her
whom she loved a. SISTER. and who's
generous na,ur shr well knew not even
love. the changer of so many things
could utterly thougn indeed, It m ghi
reud it colder THAI Of old TO the anguish
of male friend
"Oh May, must speak--ye, my
words make me grleve, far less Tor me-
than CIR yours Il. Wretch that AMI
bring evil tidings into the dwelling of my
| dearest friend These riobands, they
| are worn for his sake -ihev become well
as he thinks, the auburn of your bonnv
brown hair; that blue gown is worn 20.
night because he likes il; but Mary, will
\ you curse me to my face wheE declare
| belora the G d that made US, that man is
| pledged unto me by all that IS sacred be.
/ tween mortal creatures; aud that ! have
u
here in nv bosom written prom SIS and
oates of love from hlm, who | vas this
morning to d in a few days is to be thy
4 husband. Turn me out of the hut now #
YOU choose. and let me die of hunger and
| fatigue in the woods, where we have so
often walked together; for such death
would he a mercy to me in comparison
TO dssert1n BY him who is nine, forever,
il there be G d who heeds al oath Of
his crt aiures he has made"
Mary Robinson hal I'D happy life,
but life Of quiet thoughts, tranquil hopes,
and meek desires. Tenderly and truly
4 did she love the man 10 whom she was
betrothed but it was because she had
thought him gentle, manly, upright, sin
cere, and one that feared God. His char
acter was unlmpeached. to her his beha-
vior had always been fond, ntfectionale,
and respectful, that he was a fine looking
man, and could show himself among the
hes. in the country around at church. and
market, and fair day, she saw with plea
sure AID with pride. But in the heart OF
this poor, humble, contented and pious
! girl, love was not violent passion, but
an affection sweet and profound. She
4 looked forward to her marriage with a
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