Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-05-16
:, VA.) WEDNESDAY,, MAY 1e, ls4s.

sweetness ir it, he had never perceived Lef,re-
Alter three hours ride the most delightful he had
ever enjoyed, he reached the house of his friend
After what has been already said, the reader is
prepared 10 md Col. "A. participating with all
the ardor OF his soul in the JOY of his friend Nat
urally man of the kindest heart, his rejoicing
seemed to Know no bounds. He entered with zeal
INTO the necessary arrangements for the day of mar
riage-that day not being distant one all the prep
araiions required haste. Materials for the wedding
apparel of the finest the country afforded were pro
cured and their early preparation solicited. All
Things were prepared to order, and received by
the happy Mason, who seemed now to think every
day month.
he trust was confided to his friend and conf
DENT Col A. 10 procure without fail an officiating
minister. lie most earnestly desired the honor Of
that Office to be conferred on Parson b.
The Col. true to lis trust lost no time in secur-
ing the promise of the Parson 10 officae on the &C
cason; So arranging it that they should accompany
each other on the appointed day. The suspicious
time came rapidly on. Already the parties were
beginning TO gather. Col. w. and his daughter,
the happy intended BRIDE had taken their rooms at
the Hotel of the Warm Springs. Soon after them,
arrived the Masons and other relatives Young
Mason kept the Col fully advised of every arrival
We come now to part of this narrative, at the
thought of touching which, confess, feel some
delcacy. But fidelity TO the true history of this
strange marriage, as well as desire to enable the
reader to understand its close, compel ME to insert
H. IL 1t should chance to meet the eye OF the gen.
erous Mason, he will, no doubt, appreciate my mo-
tive and extend his forgiveness
:, Mason had left his fathers house, moi like the
Prodlgal, taking his all with him. but, on the con-
irary, leaving it all behind him. This fact, he ven
,ured IN the most delicate way, to make known to
his friend, Col. A. All persons Of sensibility will
see at once, how painful such an avowal would be
70 one OF sensitive feelings He was now in day
OF two to mnge with his relatives, persons ofgreat
wealth and the highest responsibility. No wonder
lie ielt, as most young men would who have high
sense OF honor and pride of family-a reluctance TO
appear even before his father and uncle, entirely
dependent He was anxious to be saved such a
notification He would receive, directly after his
marriage, any amount he might desire, and as he
intended to board with his Lady at the house of the
Col. for some time, he would return it all within
lew days The open-hearted Col needed nothing
more than this delicate in,imation. Other minds,
more sordd, might have required even at this hour
bond with good security. We envy not the man.
who, SO dead TO every impulse of noble generosity
would nfct still another wound upon noble soul
whlch had already felt deeper than language
can oepct. Col. A. was not the man to hesitate
Tor one moment, and his tender heart instinctively
devised the most delicate mode in which to act out
his ample generosity. His pocket.book well lined
with bills, was opened in moment and handed 10
young Mason, with the instruction to help himself
me writer is not sure whether the Col shut his
eyes or turned his back, but this is not MATERIAL
vi one thing he Is certain, there was no limit
with many bushes and expressions of gratitude.
Mason accepted the offer, and taking from the roll
or notes more than there was any probability he
wonId need on the approaching occasion, prepared,
wthou. farther delay, to Join his friends and rela-
tlves already at the place of appointment; leaving
his parting injunction with the Colonel not for the
world to fail Of being Of the wedding guests on
the next day, and by all means to bring parson B.
with him. He took his leave amid a Shove, of
good wishes.
Col. A. might have been seen standing on his
long porch and as the tear of joy bedimmed his eye
followed his friend as he rapidly vanished away
along the western road Who that knows lis plea
sure, would be stranger 10 that sensation which
sweIis the bosom, when conscious of having per
formed an action which has wiped the tear from n
sorrowing cheek, and gladdened the heart of suf.
ierIng, yet generous and manly soul.
Early on the next morning, Thursday, might be
seen Col. A. and Parson b., on their way to feast
OF so much TejoicHg where they felt their presence
was essential TO fill up the complement of happy
guests. They had agreed to meet at nine O'Clock
That morning, at the junction Of the two turnpike
roads near the eastern base of the Warm Sprino,
Mountain This promise was faithfully kept, thei,
painting steeds showing that no time had been los
by either As they moved on at a brisk gait. Col
"A. gave the parson most minute account of all IN.
thrilling events of this romantic wedding. EacI
was prepared to enter into it with whole heart
They knew each other welI-a Parson and Eide
OF the same Church. They had often mingled il
counsel amid other scenes. Both beinS tru,
blue predesnarans, traced the evidence OF tbei
faith in the wonderful history of Mason. \Vbe,
persons are to be married, they will be married
and when they are not to be, in vain they try. S,
thought parson b., and he found the Col perfect,
orthodox on that point.
| AS they rode along, they drew out the picture O
striking contrast between the past and present O
Mason and Mary w. Two short weeks before. al
hope OF happiness by either had been, abandoned :
ohe, like some sweet and delicate flower blase,
by the tfosis of autumn, was fading away He ba,
summoned all his manly courage, and his struo
CLING soul was trying to bear up under ills whicI
ne could not remove, But in defiance of all hi
strength, In the prime Of life, he bepan TO show nm
equvOcal symptoms that ere long the grave wop
give him that quiet and sweet repose which he ba,
sought IN vain from the world Noy all fbes
dark clouds had rolled away and the sunshine n
joy, rendered brighter by the contrast. was beam
| ing upon them. One short hour more and the,
would stand at the marriage altar, in the presenc
| o, .ncif Ieconcned taTtheTs and an admirng circI
Of friends, TO enter into that covenant which sln
bind them by the strongest chords to each other 70
| life. Who would not go with liobi hear, 70 nor
form such ceremony $50 went rarson B. WIN
would not 5oyfulIy go, an houored guest So wen
Col. A. They now reached the long bend or don
Die OF the mountain, when suddenly they saw
white Tag on the top Of the mountain directly be
fore them. This point is an elevated part Of th
mountain well known as "JAe Flag Rocls, ;" muc
,TeqIen'eo ny vislters at the Springs. The fla
had been raised on the 4th Of July TO coDmemora,
our national Independence. 1t required scarcely a
effort on the part Of the parson and Colonel. who's
minds parlook largely of the elevation of their bo
dies, to see how appropriate this was to the occa
sion before them. The fierce winds ~ heaven ha