American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-02-27
THE PRESENT EMIT.
BY MRS. MARY V. SPENCER.

cannot say that am believer in PRESENT.
ment, though, if | were, might find authority
among the philosophers of all ages, not even
excepting the present enlightened one. But
curious condolences often occur which are cal
culated to shake skepticism, One of these has
been related to me as happening within the pre-
sent century.
1t was a beautiful evening that two lovers
stood hand-in-hand, at the moment of parting
for separation of week. A sadness, during
the last hour, had imperceptibly stolen over
them, and the youth now gave utterance to the
thoughts which be had in vain striven to keep
down
In week shall return he said. Watch
for me on the seventh day; and if | come not
know that am no more. | feel & present.
ment of harm, as if we were never TO meet
again
BY strange coincidence his betrothed had
felt the same vague fear, though she too had
labored to conceal it. Nor would she now be-
tray the alarm that filled her eyes with unbid-
den tears.
Nay it is but foolish thought, she said
let US pray that these fears prove idle. will
meet you here on the seventh day, and we
will laugh at our alarm
Living or dead! said the lover solemnly, I'M
changed by her affected gaety of tone; then,
not entrusting himself TO further words, he
pressed her hand and departed.
What an age does the separation Of few
days seem to lovers Every unoccupied mo.
ment is then sacredly given to thoughts of the
absent object; and the hours are counted until
his return. 1t was so now with Frederick and
the sweet girl to whom he was betrothed AS
he rolled along in the diligence, he reclined in
one corner and drawing his cap over his eyes,
refused conversation that he might think of his
Margaret while she, in her chamber, often
paused and laid down the work from her hands
TO muse on her absent lover
But time, however laggard he may appear,
moves steadily on; and the week, which to
Frederick had seemed month, was now past
1t was the seventh day. He was already with
in few miles of his native town, though eve
ming had not closed in, so that he felt sure of
meeting his betrothed according to his pro-
mise The remembrance of their solemnity at
parting occurred, and now that the week had
passed without peril he felt inclined TO laugh
at his fears. INDUCING in sweet, dreamy fan
cies he lay back in the diligence, until at length
his visions changed insensibly from waking
ones to those of sleep. Suddenly two or three
quick strokes Of bell smote on his ear, and he
started up broad awake.
'What can that mean? Where are we" were
his inquiries, and those of his fellow pas
sengers, most Of whom also had been slumber-
ing.
As they spoke they looked forth and saw
that they were crossing the sandy plain in the
vicinity of the city, the dark buildings of
which were discernibe, through the gloom of
the gathering twilight Il short league ahead
But even at that distance the large alarm bell
on the town hall could be heard, changing out
fierce and quick, in tones of terror. Stimuli
taneously too a strong red glare shot up into
/. the sky spreading rapidly on either side, until
fourth of the city appeared to be in flames.
Drive on quick-for heavens sake!-put
them to gallop' exclaimed the passengers,
alarmed for the safety of their homes; and
none spoke more urgently than Frederick,
who behed with alarm the flames rapidly
spreading to that quarter of the city inhabited
by his betrothed.
d. The driver whipped his horses but their gait,
though rapid, failed to satisfy the excited pas
sengers. Each one exaggerated the probable
danger of his family, and as the conhagratioh
rapidly extended, the alarm became serious
But no one suffered like Frederick. Over that
portion Of the city inhabited by his betrothed
the flames appeared to be raging with terrible
and increasing violence; and aware that every
family must be fully occupied with itself, h,
trembled for the fate of Margaret, who was ar
orphan, and had no natural protector now tina
he was absent
And now louder and louder toled the grea
bell, while hundred others, from every quar-
ter of mighty eity, joined in the ellmor.--