True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-05-20
MIS- CELLANY.
EIGHTEEN AND GRAY HAIR.l


in the pit were fixed upon her; and /, after
one, could not venture a second glance; at
length summoned resolution; obtained full
view of her, but how was horror struck The
reason ofthe general observation her entrance
caused was now apparent; cold shi7ering
came over me; my knees trembled.
Poor, unhappy Henrietta | sighed, as
convusively bit my lips. One of my neigh
bors perceivlng my emotion, touched my ell
bow and said, Do yon observe that young
lady in the centre box-first row. Is it not
surprising that so young a creature should
have white hair" And with such sparkling
black eyes, tool" remarked another, what
thousand pitiesp If writer of romance
were here said a third, this beautiful monster
would furnish materials for ballad something
at which we know not whether to laugh or
cry Black eyes and white locks; our attrac-
ton and adherence a true and lively picture
ofthe literature of the day.
could have annihilated the impertinent
puppies.
At last the curtain rose: what was acted
God knows. The audience laughed. ground
my teeth in agony several times thought OF
making bolt for the door; but an irresistible
power chained me TO the spot where my devot-
ed victim presented herself Cold drops stood
on my brow; but remained.
The play was over, and my tormcntors re-
commenced talking OF the young girl with the
grey hair.
For my part said one, 4 think it not un.
likely that the poor thing in some lonely walk
at night stumbled upon a ghost. Have you
you ever read the Scherin Won Prevorst by
korner--'
He was poet and a Swaban,' interrupted
person at my back Trust me, there are no
such creations as ghosts and seeresses; ! am a
physicun and can explain to you how nature
produces on certain qualities OF hair certain el.
fects'
sAh you are doctor, are you? remark
ed a new speaker; come, come expound It all
to us The hair of young girl cannot change
color without some very extraordinary cause.
She must have been subject to some terrible ca
amty, some shock. Perhaps her husband
was murdered in her arms; or she dropped her
child as she was dancing it at the window, and
dashed its brains out on the pavement
Excuse me, gentlemen, your conIectures all
fall to the ground said the doctor, with an au.
thoTtatve tone, can't you perceive at once
that this charming creature is not mother,
perhaps unmarried
How old may the poor thing bcP inquired
one.
Sixteen, replied another.
'Eighteenl' exclaimed |, scarce knowing
what was saying.
What you are acquainted with her then =
exclaimed all in a breath.
made no reply.
He surely must be able TO tell us something
about her. doggcdly remarked one OF the par
Il shrewdIy guess that this young maiden
owes her white hair to some cross in love,
some
Ia a paroxysm of despair, seized the hand
ofthe last speaker. Hold, sir; spare me-l'm
a wrctch-a pe1urcd william
What effect this outburst Of my anguish, this
involuntary confession of my wrongs TO Hen
riglta -wrurg from me by guilty conscience
produced upon my auditors, may well be
imagined; but luckily for me, at this moment
the orchestra let loose its thunder; all that
noise and fury that characterizes modern music
and the curtain rose again But what fictitious
sorrows, what love, troachery or despair could
vie with mne2 NV remorselcss memory pic
tured, in colors too true and faithful, how she
had vowed TO me her innocent weak heart aud
her dawning affections; how | had sworn to
be ctenally hers, TO adore her whom had so
shamefully forsakon. Alas now too late
perceived that had poisoned all the springs Of
lfe and happiness; that the Henrietta whom
had leit so blooming, so conhiing and happy
was now, with white hair and broken heart
sinking fast into the grave. Miserable wrelchP
| calculated, is il too late to redeem the pasP
A thought flashed across my mind-too late
no, perhaps your repentance will make all well
again. The mighty power Of love- will
throw myself at her feet -will-
NV resolve was made-lhe performance was
nearly Of an end; rushed from the pit
Some one seized me by the hand: 'Gusiavusp
'FeliN7 you herel have you seen her,
abruptly inquired.
Herr whoF
Henrietta
Il left her only a few minutes ago. You
find her much altered, Ell
Felix, I'm a monster ofiniquiiyP
What said be, laughing, were you the
sly rogue the charlaianF
sCharlatanl what mean youF
You mus know that Henrietta, scarce a
month SINCE bought Of an iunerant vcnder OF
nomsium. a substance Tor making The barr
grow. She had scarcely used Il twice before
her hair became as grey IS you now see ~
Pomaiunl & was not love, then, The word
died upon ny lips
sI6rer replied Felix with surprise. God
h. praised. noi We have been married these
- -. - -rr fhn hrm~fref rnur|e rn