The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-05

y = 81.
PARTI.-THE MARRIAGE.
Their nuptial couch may smiling concord dress,
And Venus still the happy union bless
Wrinlled with age, may mutual love and truth,
To their dim eyes recal the bloom Of youth.
They stood at the ltar--both just verg-
ing from youth to more mature age-both
equally interesting--he handsome and in
telligent, she beautiful and accomplished.
They had long known, admired, and loved
each other; but owing to their peculiar and
almost distressing situations, they had
postponed their marriage until this period.
Charles Clifford, when he first loved the
gentle Maria, was student Of law, depen-
dent upon his own merits and exertions
for support and patronage ; and Maria, was
portionless orphan, dependent upon the
cold charity Of distant relatives, though once
the idol Of wealthy and indulgent parents.
But, Charles, now established in the prac-
tice of his profession, gaining moderate
salary, and rapidly increasing in popularity,
was now so happy as to be able to lead his
long betroihed Maria to the altar. And
now, there they stood--their countenances
beaming with love and happiness, and their
hearts filled with hope. They considered
their worst cares and sorrows as being
brought to an end and nought was in ex-
pectance for them but love and enjoyment.
Their horizon of existence was unclouded.
The sea upon which they had launched
was serene; and they
. ssFondly deemed each wind and star a friend.o
Happy pair may your bright hopes Of
happiness and your aattering dreams of
loye, meet with happy realization; and
may your barks glide smoothly on over
life's varied waves, until they safely enter
their Final Port.
Five years had passed. Charles and
Maria were residing upon beautiful seat,
near the banks Of the lovely stream which
flowed within short distance of their ma,
tive place. They had not found marriage,
as many have, cure for love; for now,
after five years. union, they loved as sin
cerely and devotedy as when first united.
They had as yet met with but few sorrows
or misfortunes, and the purity of their lives
was as yet untarnished by vice or folly.
Charles had become eminent in his profess
sion, and popular among his acquaintances-
He had twice occupied a seat in his States
Legislature, which he had filled with tall
ent and integrity, and was now, at the
period to which we refer, preparing to
visit Washington, as delegate to Con-
gress.
1t was beautiful evening the cares
and labors Of the day were being brought
to close: the sun was sinking slowly be-
hind
esThe dim distant horizon;"
the laborer was returning home from his
work, and twilight grey was gently wind
ing her soft mantle around the children Of
Nature, when the signal was given that
the vessel, lying near Clifford's seat, was
ready to depart Charles proceeded to the
river side, accompanied by his fond wife.
He bid her tender farewell, and jumped
into the boat, which showed off from the
shore, and commenced her voyage. Maria
remained upon the bank, and gazed visit
fully upon the bark, which was conveying
the idol of her heart away, until the last
vestige of it had receded from her sight;
and then, with sigh, she returned to her
home, rendered almost desolate by the alb
sence Of her Charles, TO think of him.
Love in her bosom was not the summer
passion of prosperity.
PART In.--THE YOUNG ORATOR.
But if force
Must weld to such inevitable shame,
As to offend, myself being offended;
SO can I give reason, nor will not,
More than ledg'd hate SHAKESPEARE.
Clifford took his seat in Congress. He
did not Immediately have an opportunity
Of entering into discussion, or of making
himself known as speaker, or man of
apy extraordinary powers. But learning,
after he had taken his seat, that in few
days question of most exciting nature,
and OF vital importance TO the interest of
his country, would be brought before the
House for discussion, he determined to make
his first attempt at establishing himself IN
the eyes Of the community, as statesman
and patriot, by showing his zeal, and
exerting his powers upon the subject.
The morning arrived when this question
was to be discussed, aud when Clifford, for
the first time, was TO occupy the floor of
Congress as speaker. People began to
guther early, and soon the House was
crowded to overhowing. The hour ap-
proached for the commence cement Of the de-