The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-11-17

motlonless, llfeess, ICY souls, we who be-
lieve that, because there is no marrying
yonder. there shall be no embracing, or
because we may not use the gentle words
my wife, we may not clasp these sancti-
fled forms in our own holy arms tell
you, man, that immortality would be glo-
rions cheat, il with our clay died our
first affections. tell you that humiliation
would be heaven, il believed that when
my head at length rests on its confined pill
low, and my lips sink to the silence and
repose of death, these loving eyes will new
er look into mine again, this pure clasp
never be around my neck, this holy caress
never bless me more!
But see how hasten in advance Of my
story. And yet, ike Canning's knife-grlnd-
er, remember now that I have no story
to tell, or at best it is simple history
She loved Joe. His calm and earnest
way of loving her, won her soul. He did
not say much to her in company, nor OF
her, but when they were alone, or only
some OF the children near, his low voice
would be musical, and she sat entranced
with his eloquence. have seen them
seated on the bench by the side Of the
stream, and have heard him lead her gentle
soul step by step with him from earth to the
stars, and then from star to star, until she
seemed to be in heaven with him, and lis
tening to the praises of the angels.
am unable to tell you how it happened
that Joseph s. left his profession, (Which
had been law and entered the ministry,
nor am l able to state, though I might
guess at the causes operating in his own
mind. The father of Sarah D. was not a
religious man, and ! am sorry to say was
one Of small class of men, who not only
deny the truths of our most holy creed,
but take every opportunity to cast ridlcule
on its teachers. 1t was, therefore with
great pain that his daughter observed his
GOODNESS and rudeness to Joseph s., and
she was not surprised, however much she
was grieved, when an open rupture rem
dered the suspension Of his visits at the
house absolutely necessary.
They had never spoken Of love. Each
knew the secret of the others affection,
and what need then of words to tell it. 1t
would have been but the repetition of
hackneyed phrases. And yet there is no
music in the world so sweet as those three
words, Il love you,' from the lips we love
to kiss. But the father of our gentle friend
had feared the existence of some bond be-
tween them, and peremptorily required
his daughter to break it if it did exist
She replied to him, relating the simple
truth, and he desired her to refuse thence
forward to see or speak to Joseph.
A month of deeper pain than can we'll
ring which they did not meet.
On a moonlight night in August, she
walked out with me, then three years her
junlor,) and sat down on the bench by the
side OF the stream. The air was clear, the
sky serene, and no sound disturbed us; but
the soft voice of the wind among the tree
tops made a pleasant music, and we listen
ed and were silent. The stiffness was
broken by the voice Of Joseph s..
You will pardon me if pass over that
scene. l dare not attempt description
of it. 1t was my first lesson in human
suffering, and though 1 have learned it
over and over since then, though the iron
has entered my own soul and scared and
SCARED it, yet l have never seen, nor do |
believe have ever felt more agony than
those two felt as they parted that night to
meet no more on earth.
He bowed his lips to her forehead, and
murmered the solemn word .Forever'
She woke at that word, and exclaimed
with startling vehemence, sNo, no. there
is no such word, Joe.'
Her tall form grew more oueenly, and
her dark eye flashed divinely, as she rose
and exclaimed, in clear and silvery tones:
'And what is earth! These things must
and. l will name tryst, dear Joe, and
you shall keep it. II you pass first into
the other land, wait for me on the bank;
end if I go hence before you, I will linger
on the other shore until you come. Will
you remember!'
Il will live and die in this memory
She lifted her face to his, and her arms
to his neck, and they chung together IN a
long and passionate embrace. Their lips
did not separate, but were pressed together,
until he felt her form cold, and her clasp
relaxed, and he laid her down on the old
seat, bowed over moment in prayer, and
was gone. Iheard him say, take care OF
her, W. and so I strove to recall the
life that had gone from her lips, and cheeks,
and eyes. 1t came slowly, and she woke
as we wake in the morning after death has
entered our charmed circle, with an OPP
preston OF the brain, and swimming,
swollen senselessness of soul.
AT length she remembered all; and rails
ed herself with a halt articulate exclama-
ton OF agony, broken by sob; then fell
on her knees by the bench, and buried her
face in her hands, and remained thus for
nearly ha II an hour