Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-09-18

to my surprise, that she was TO leave for
Mobile in the next mornings stage My
grief at being so soon to part with her
was excessive. strove TO conceal it as
much as possible, but upon bidding her
adieu could not restrain the unbidden
tears We did not see each other again
for six years. Sickness pre-, ented her
leaving Mobile the following summer and
the succeeding one, size spent in journey
ing with her father at the North. And
in the autumn of the same year, having
completed my preparatory studies, be-
came member of Columbia College in
South Carolina. did not return till the
expiration of my collegiate course. As
we were separated during all that time,
and as heard from her through others,
but occasionally the, impression she had
made upon my boyish fancy was nearly e.
faced.
Upon entering college found myself up
on new theatre. A theatre upon which
everything was fascinating. At home,
there being no boys in the vicinity Of my
own age, had always been declared the
pleasure of social intercourse with
those, who like myself possessed youth
full feelings with youthful bodies. Here
ENJOYED it in the highest degree. My
vivacity secured me the friendship Of the
buoyant spirits and my scholarship and
fondnes of books the good will of the grave.
There was nothing peculiar in my college
course except that spent more time than
most ccllegans, in writing verse. | COM
posed several pieces, which were highly
applauded by those to whom | shew them.
This confirmed my previous notion, that
might have success in that line Of literature
in which so much fame had been won.--
And at the end of my four wears, having
graduated with honor, returned to my
fathers with the full determination TO pass
my sin literary pursuits. | took By
ron for my model, and selected in my
mind heroes, for the subjects upon which
intended to write, not unlike his in the
power of their intelects and reckessness
OF their characters. But enough Of this.
Upon my return home, met Betsey.-
Six years had made wonderful change in
US both. | was eighteen; and she one
year my senior. College life had given
my manners n brush, so that had none
Of that awkwardness and sheepishness so
peculiar to young men of that age, Whine
her manner had all that ease and grace
und simple dignity, Of which we so fire.
quenlIy read but so seldom see displayed
in actual life. The fame which time and
absence had smothered in my bosom,
needed only her presence to be rekinGled.
AS am preclpitate in everything, so |
was IN my 1--we. Without sufficiently con-
sidering the strength Of the basis upon
which stood, after few days of billing
and cooling, popped the question" And
much to my comfort she Tilted me- Tho
she had been ennaged as | afterwards
learned, nearly year to young merchant
of Mobile. She encouraged my addresses
and then like true descendant Of mother
Eve, s'played me false" Since that time,
in my intercourse with the fair | have ac-
ted upon the suggestion contained in Ho-
mer's famous lines,
Since of womankind so few are inst,
Believe them all false and neer the faith
full trust.
To make my disappointment more bitter,
| came in collision with my father. Know
ing my repugnance to planting, he had
given up his original intention of having
me pursue that business Ard as he ma
turally supposed that upon the completion
of my collegiate course, | would study
profession, he had selected that of law as
the sphere for the exercise Of my talents
presuming that it would be as agreeable to
me as any. He bad all along haltered
himself with hopes of the success and dis
tinction | should have as an Attorney
When therefore mentioned to him my
plan, which was to 60 to Philadelphia, and
there complete and publish the poems had
commenced while in college, he was filled
with indignation at what he termed my
cursed folly. write poetry, said he great
God! and turning 10 my mother whom by
the way had gained over tony way of
thinking, he continued did you ever hear Of
such madness! well lneyor supposed that my
only child would tnrn out 'moon-strnck-
bard.
This was too much for my temperament,
to bear, ard rel FLIED, that moonstruck
might be, but whatever my condition,
was indebted for it, to no one but him who