Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-05-14

to her household affairs, proposed to Julia RAM
Gle in the grove. which had been neatly trimmed
and adjusted by her father before his DEATH grow
ing in the rear of the large white dwelling, and
which was set off in its front with cedars and large
Lumbardy poplarS, towering majes.icaIIy, as tho
they were endeavoring to pierce the broad azure
sky.
We set out, and when We had gained the grove
offered her my arm, which she accepted
The sun had nearly set, and was gradually
drawing its last golden ray ogr the surface of a
broad blue bank of western cloud, behind which
1t had prematurey concealed ITSELF throwing a re-
Election from the yellow horizon that gave all ma
ture melancholy countenance, and which grad
uaiIy lessened away before the sable vsage of ap-
preaching night
The period which nature herself seemed to have
prescribed as the ceasng point of daily labor had
arrived. The birds of the day were hurrying off
IN scattered plumbers to their accustomed places of
rest, while those of the night were already begin
ming to boot from the darkly clustered branches of
the grove trees. The harsh notes of the merry
cricket, the only noise by which the regnng ST.
fence was broken, fell (almost inaudibIy upon our
hearIng) and united in giving the surrounding
scenery an air of gloomy quiet
No word bad been uttered since we entered the
grove; it was indeed silence that seemed to pre-
pare the soul for reflection.
Though was upon the point of introducing
some subject, by which l thought there was a
probability Of being led into discussion of the
topic of her miseries, when felt upon my hand,
which, for some cause, had partially extended,
falling, in quick succession, the warm drops of
her tears.
Mercy, Thought, is there no balm in Giead-
IS there no ministering angel to quiet the turbu-
lence of thy spirit, which seems to have assumed
the form of demon, to prey upon and consume
thy gentle nature. ] saw that she was DESTROYS of
conceaIing this irrepressble outpouring of her
SOUL and which told too plainly that her life was
gradually oozing out in drops of agony.
We continued silently on our way until we ar
rived at place where the light of the sky was
thrown glaringly through an opening upon small
vacant spot, which had been made by the falling
of one of the grove trees.
She seated herself upon the trunk of the fallen
tree, seeming to have partially aroused herself
from the melancholy into which she had fallen,
the burthen of which, upon her tender bosom, had
been slightly essened, through the aid Of her how-
ing grief.
90, cousin !" she at length broke FORTH with
enthusiasm, "what beautiful place for reflection
Nature herself seems to have set it apart for that
purpose" Here she endeavored to encourage the
delusive transport with smile, but it was scarce
ly visible before it vanished.
Gay, cousin l replied, what pity it is that
the entire world to be lost to proper and Sc
rious refection-that reflection which should guide
us as beacon in the path of rectitude.'
eyes" she continued, {" It's but world of mis-
cry and trouble, and we should esteem it as but a
short probation and temporary existence, to pre-
pare for brilliant futurity."
you almost Chlistian," reioined, some
what mirthfuly, means to probe the wound
of her heart, that might learn whether conversa-
ton upon the subject of her unfortunate attach
ment, possessed the virtue of healing or CALLING
application. She gave me glance that wound up
my soul into wretchedness-it was laden with the
bitterness of love and disappointment.
go. that were," she said. Were it not for
one, could then willingly close my eyes without
pang upon this world of sin and SORROW"
Twilight had already begun to deepen into
night, and we slowly wound our way back through
the dark shade of the grove.
Some minutes before my departure in the morn
ing, we were alone; l again endeavored to lead
her into the subject, for discussion of which l
visited her, with the hope of recalling her from the
melancholy fate that seemed to hang like dark
and threatening cloud over her existence.
She expressed quite degree of disappointment
at my early departure, and said she never expec-
ted TO see me again. Ny visit, in fact, was but a
call, for pressing business demanded my speedy
presence in the upper country, and would not al
low the indulgence even of moments tarry.
l expressed utter astonishment at so strange,
and what pretended to believe, groundIess con-
cIusion, though it was fine opening.to the sub
ject. As such she might probably have intended
it, and should have embraced it had not deem
ed it unwise, fearing, after such words, that any
hint, however guarded, might wear some aspect
tending to encourage her opinion, which knew
would but deepen her agony and consume more
speedily her tender vitas.
told her knew that should see her often.
and tina: she would live to see many buried who
were then treading with her the f1owery path of
health; and with degree Of leVity requested as
a means to force upon her the earnestness of nv
belief that if she should die beyond my presence
she must not forget to allot to (of her possess
sion) little auburn lock that curled beautifully
over her high pale brow, which seemed to have
been set apart for its sole beauty, and which, in
her days of departed happiness, had often teas
ingly solicited as gift for her lover.
She told me might have it then if | would
take it I dec Fined, telling her would not deprive
her of so much beauty, and ventured at last to
speak of the one it might displease.
At the very sound of his name, the full drops
began to gather slowly in her large blue eyes;
dropped the subject Instantly poisoning topic,
and after giving the ebulition l had Intentionally
created full time to subside, took my departure
looked back upon the dwelling as one dying
before the accomplishment of some concerted
scheme, and in the hope of a short protraction of