Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-11-28
PLAQUEMINE, LA, PARISH OF IBERVILLE, NOVEMBER 28, l849
The FOrSakeM.


The FOrsakem.
'Oh, mother are these diamonds really 70
me!' said Edith Gray, as she flew to the miro
to admire their flashing light amid her dark ring
r lets, (and never surely did mirror reflect lovelie
face and figure, with or without adornment.)-
"How kind is this Of papa?"-Suddenly sh,
stopped, while a bright flush fitted over he
cheek.
F "Shall l interpret that blush for you, Edith
You were thinking of Fitzhugh, and wondering
fyou would attract his attention at the ball to
night"
The color deepeEed in Edith's cheek, and he,
beautiful eyes were yelled by their long lashes
as she replied: "You are right, mama l~confess
he fascinates me. What a noble air he has
what speaking eyes, and"-
"Stop, Edith" said her mother; II think you
are more than half in love already, with your
acquaintance of half a week."
"Surely, mother, it does not need months OF
years to-
"Find out whether a man is handsome
laughingly replied her mother; then rising and
kissing her forehead, she said: "Beware, Edith!
have a care of you heart, till you know whether
he is worthy of it"
"Never fear, dear mother" said Edith, as with
a light step she bounded from the room, "thers
can be no guile there"
Take a peep with me into the ballroom, fair
reader. The air is laden with the perfume of
countless flowers, soft eyes look love to eyes
that speak again; fairy forms and gliding feet
keep time with voluptuous music, while amid
a blaze of light, the attraction of all eyes and
bacr<c ,fo,lc n,s 1ovo1ry F1.<h H.. >,o. oooI
not the aid of diamonds to night, while her ra-
robe. Fitzhugh is by her side. With a person
of matchless beauty tall, commanding figure,
~faultless features, and a manner perfected BY
intercourse with the best society in his own
and foreign countries, added to a voice ofsweet-
ness and power, was he not a dangerous &C.
quaintance for our lovely, warm-hearted friend!
"No guile there!!" God help thy t~rueting heart,
Edith! And now her delicate waist is encir-
cled by his arm in the giddy waltz, his warm
breath is upon her cheek, while of
admiration are heard ON oil sides-how lovely,
how surprisingly beautiful!
Fair reader, do you see that low-roofed cot
tage almost concealed by luxuriant elms-its
sides covered with clinging roses and honey
suckles? You may well look UP at that small
window as you pass, and turn away, but look
again at that lovely picture. Is there not beauty
in that female head? Look at the rich black
hair waving over the polished forehead, the lips
of vermilion, and the large ~lustrous eyes! But
see! a tear is sparkling there how it lies like a
gem amid the clustering curls of that fair boy
whose arms %encircle her neck. Yes, she is a
mother, with no more traces of age than the
child that nestles in her bosom-a mother, but
not a ncife! God help her.
Look again she sees us mother tears |
fall thicker and faster-the boy with his tiny
hand tries to wipe them away, and now and
then puts up his pouting lips to kiss her. The
mother gazes at him through her tears, parts the
hair from his broad forehead, and murmurs, $50
like his father" Then in an agony of tears |
clasps him to her breast, and weeps until she
has no more tears to shed. Poor Edith! so
young, so beautiful, so trusting, SO wretched, SO
ruined!
But look again! Night has come on; the holy
stars are keeping watch alike over saint and
sinner; the merry birds have hushed their songs,
and nothing is heard but the distant cry of the
whippoorwill, as he sings his melancholy song.
Blessed be God for sleep, the friend Of the
wretched! Look now at these fair dreamers!
The boys arms are thrown about his mothers
neck, as if, in sleep, he feared to be parted from
her; his little cheek is flushed and glowing, as
it rests upon her breast; she, with a tear still
glittering upon those long, dark eye-lashes, her
lips slightly parted, her rich hair floating like a
veil about her face and figure, lies by his side
But look again! she throws those white arms
restlessly about, and those parted lips murmur
the holy name of "Motherw
Alas, Edith! thou hast nc. longer a mother
her sgray hairs have gone down with sorrow to
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innocent child. Her fathers caressing hand is
laid with a blessing upon those cl~usteringIocks.
Sisters and brothers throng about her, making
the air musical with their merry shouts. Poor
Edith! and will not sleep befriend thee?
She rises wildly from her pillow, gazes at
those holy stars whose quiet beauty seems but
to mock her agonizing misery, shrouds her face
from their pure light, and falling On her knees
by her child, sobs convu'siyely-sGod pity me!
God be merciful to me a sinner!r'
The eye that 'never slumbers and sleeps"
looks down upon thee, Edith. The ear that is
never deaf to the cry of a breaking heart, hears
thee. The hand that is always outstretchsd to
save the penitent, is extended to thee. aDaugh-
thy sin is forgiven thee" sGo, and sin no
With a prayer for her betrayer, and kiss for
her babe, Edith lay calmly down to sleep; but
there aoas an Eye about thai Numbered moi.
A year had passed. Two young men, medi-
cal students, were sauntering along one of our
streets.
sBy the way" said one eve have . splendid
for dissection to-day beautiful crea-
ture who has been betrayed and deserted by
some scoundrel. She died at the hospitaI, of a
broken heart, and not a friend to claim her,
By Joye! she is beautiful. Come in and see
Edith's face was uncovered, and with one
groan Of agony, Ftzhugh fell iifeless to me
earth.
"Vengeancei is I'M / will repay saith the
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