Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-11-20
From the Ladies' National Magazine.
Beatrice Vernon.
BY c. I. PETERSON.

as for his wealth. After the ladies had retired,
the conversation turned on the TnpOlian war.
"By the bye" said Captain Drew, for by this
name shall call my host, sit was at that time
won my wife. Have you heard my stOryl You
will learn from il then that have no cause to love
the Trpolitan pirates"
begged to hear the narrative, in which was
INDUCED,
''Itwas in the first yearof the present century,"
said the captain, ''that the outrages inflicted on
our commerce by the Barbary powers, induced
our government to send asquadron up the Medi-
terranean in order TO prevent such injuries by ne
gotiation, or if necessary by force of arms We
had gone into one of the neutral ports to provi-
sion, and as twas a gay capital, our days were
spent in a continued round of dissipation. One
evening, however, had been persuaded to attend
ball at the ambassadors, and the first object that
met my sight on entering the room, was being
so dazzlingly beautiful as instantly to chain my
attention. | was lost in admiration; and learning
that she was an American, sought and obtained
an introduction. | had seen many beauties be-
fore, and had always escaped their fascination;
but then there was a charm about Beatrice Vernon
| found lin vain to resist. From the first mo-
ment we met her wtchery began TO take hold on
me, and every hour spent with her only increa-
sed the spell. She was not like the rest of her
sex; her mind seemed Of purer and sweeter ma
ture: and yet she had brilliancy in her CONVEX
sational moments which enchanted all. But it
was not these | admired twas not her classic
brow, and soft, melting blue eye; it was neither
her faultless shape, nor her rich auburn tresses
slumbering in gold. 1t was the gentle sweetness
of her manners-the sure index of pure and in
nocent young heart. | never entered her pres
ence without awe falling upon me, checking my
usual audaciy and almost chaining me in silence.
The words would have uttered died upon nv
tongue; and trembled before the being adored.
/ could no longer conceal it from myself loved
Beatrice; loved her with the ardor of warm and
generous heart; and loved her too in all the hol-
ness of first passion. believe that that early
affection, was the instrument of my salvation.
resolved, from that moment, TO be no longer as |
had been.
"From the day saw Beatrice, therefore, was
an altered being. In her presence | seemed to
breathe holier atmosphere-and when away
that innocent smile attended me like guardian
angel. We met daily, and at first freely. But
after awhile an embarrassment came over Bea-
trice which puzzled and confounded me. saw
my danger, | feared that my sentiments might not
be reciprocated, yet, like the poor wretch in the
magic circle, could not break away from her
presence. Meanwhile the winter passed. Our
acquaintance was ripenng into intimacy, and
was binding my eyes daily more and more, when
Mr.. Vernon announced his determination 10 re-
turn to America in a ship then in port. 1t fell
upon me like thunderbolt. | was startled from
my dream. Beatrice was soon to depart, and
might, perhaps, see her no more, or only as the
bride of another. This thought was madness;
yet trembled to speak out. was in an agony
of doubt. Beatrice seemed rather to shun my
presence; her eye was ever longest in detecting,
and her voice the last in welcoming me. There
were other things in her conduct that puzzled me;
but it was all because | could not understand her
exquisite delicacy. The fear that premature
declaration might ruin all withheld me; while
dreaded that absence would be even more injuri-
Gus to my hopes. In these circumstances, tortu-
red by doubts. uncertain how to act, with mind
little short of phrenzied, | determined TO leave
everything to chance, waited with beating hear
some favorte opportunity, ,andat last saw Beatrice
depart without daring to breathe my love. As
she waved her handkerchief for an adieu, seem.
cd to awake as from dream. Had been able
10 speak 10 her thatmoment, would have ventu.
red all in one burning avowal of my love. Bu
she was gone. We might never meet again
Overcome by my feelings, leaned my head up
on my hand, and wept like very child. Wha
boys does not love make of us?
"In few days after we put TO sea to resume
our station. But wasachanged being strovC
to be gay: found it impossible. My compan
ions rallied me, but none knew my secret Tht
old commodore, however, who was father Il
lis all, had been close friend of Mr.. Vernon, haC
met daily at his house, and suspected, once o.
twice thought, my feelings. If so, he maintain
ed an inviolable secrecy.
"We had been out but few DAYS when, one
morning, amid the dim haze on the eastern hori
zon which the rising sun had not yet dissipated
the delicate tracery of ship was seen with it
thousand cob-web ropes, family marked upon thu
fast reddening background. She eseemed to be Ell
aher an American or English vessel, of an exqui
site rig, and running free before the wind. A
we drew near she presented beautiful spectacle
The delicacy of her hamper; the fine unduaini
lines of her hull; the gracefulness with whcl
occasionally she bowed towards us; and above al
the deep, glowing tints Of the morning sky, as tn
sun rolled majestically upward from the horizon
bursting from the clouds that environed him, an
shooting his golden light Pickering along the bill
lows, formed scene such as | had rarely vii
messed. For an instant gazed on in silent de
light; but at this momentwe came suddenly o
the wind, and noticed with surprise that the stran
ger was not unaccompaned, but that long, feluc
ca-looking vessel was sticking close under he
quarter, in such position as to have been hithel
10 etfectually concealed from US. The low, ra
kish appearance of her companion, and the in
stant change in the course of the stranger whic
followed our own, awoke my suspicious at once
turned to the first lieutenant at the very momer
the lookout hailed,
ga sail on the quarter of the stranger"
MWas she in companY2" shoutnd Ihn of;oo