The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-07

by the author oil v me Exle'S 1IdVo. = hc IScLo-
pect," "Sketches," Hc u.
PART vf-THE LETTER.
As waters glass distant star,
We WOO some light from Heaven afar,
And, imaged in our soul, we dream,
The wavo that yawns arrests the beam;
flushed in false content we stray,
And glide, perchance to gloom, away.
Bul,Oer
twas MONDAY. Charles wife and child
were sitting together in the portico Of their
home. She had just received letter from
her husband, in which he spoke ioyfully
Of his success and popularity in the Capt.
tol, of the numerous friends he had obtained;
was warm in the professions of his unfal-
tering esteem and love, and appointed day
for his return home The fond wife's eye
glistened with satisfaction, joyful smile
illumined her lovely features; and she was
happy-happy in the expectation Of shortly
seeing him whom she loved with all the
fondness, strength, and devotion Of wo-
mans love. A woman gloves and loves
forever" Her affection springs from the
breast, uninvoked by the wand of hope, un-
adulterated by the touch Of interest. Wo-
mans love is limpid and lovely flow Of
feeling, which gushes from the fountain
head Of purity and courses the heart,
through sordid passion, unmingling and un-
sullied
How much happiness was in store for
Maria?
Her Charles would soon cheer and make
happy her home and domestic duties, again
would they stray together over their famil-
lar walks, through woody groves, and by
murmuring streams. Oily brilliant hopes
of wife Why are you SO deceitful? Why
do ye bloom and flourish only to fade away.
.a PART vH.--THE DUEL.
ssBehold that weak, deluded man.
Pressed on by vengeance dire,
With rage enkindled in his breast,
An eye Of rolling fire.
Swift to false .honor's field he flies,
His valor to display,
To meet his once lov'd bosom friend,
In horrid, murd'rous fray"
Morning dawned. Charles rose early
and was soon with his second, on the fatal
ground. His opponent not then appearing,
he had leisure for reflection, which he i'm
proved. He considered the probable con-
sequences of the unreasonable step he had
taken; murder would most probably be the
result. He knew Woodsworth's IS implaca-
BILE hatred towards him, which now held
the place of love; and was confident he
would not be satisfied until either the one
or the other fell. If Wordsworth fell, and
by his hand, his future life would become
embittered. He would return to his inno-
cent home murderer, and would not only
attach to himself an eternal odium, but heap
disgrace upon all the innocent objects Of
his affection. And on the other hand, if
he fell-which was most likely-his wife
and children would be left unguarded, un-
protected in the wide world, and his own
brilliant, long cherished hopes Of fame and
happiness, would be at once dispelled. And
oh! while these painful reflections crossed
his mind, how bitterly did he repent his
folly in thus placing himself in the duelist's
power But he hadadvanced too far to re-
treat, according to the worlds delusive idea
of honor.
Wordsworth and his second appeared on
the ground. Salutations and other ceremo-
nies having passed between the seconds,
the combatants were placed at their stations.
Their arms, which were to send the death
dealing bullets, were prepared and given
to them. They were ready. The sun
which had risen with unusual brilliancy
and splendor, now hid himself behind a
dark, portentous cloud, as if to shun the
sight Of the approaching, disgraceful deed.
The words were given: one--two-three-
fire. The pistols were discharged.
I" have done his work for him." in an
agitated tone, Wordsworth remarked.
For moment neither stirred; but pres
emily shudder seemed to pass through the
frame of Clifford--he trembled, tottered,
and turning last fond and agonising look
toward his distant home, he fell to the
ground a bloody corpse.
PART vIII.--THE MANIAC.
Distracted In phrenzy Her reason too weak
To Withstand such conflict of passion and fear |;
Abandon'd its throne--oer her once blooming cheek
Came the pale hue of death; with loud piercing
shrek
She swoon'd in conyulsive despnir