The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-07-16

mistake; for all this was the result of her late
kindness to Chacune.
The sisters frequently visited this gentleman,
and sometimes they stayed two or three days
together, enjoying beautiful walks on the hill
sides, or playing with the lambs in the fields.
On one occasion, as they were walking out
with the "Wise Man." Aucune saw few wild
flowers growing at the top of large rock, and
without saying anything to her companions, she
stepped aside and walked up steep and trou-
blesome pathway; that seemed tolead directly
to the flowers. She did not perceive, however,
that the path, after little while, diverged in an
! opposite direction, and led her completely from
the objects she desired. She toed, expecting
every moment TO reach the top, but still it did
not appear; and after growing weary, and being
afraid lest the "Wise Man" and her sister might
leave her, she turned round, with the intention
of retracing her steps; but as she turned, te-
male clad in very snowy robes, bowed, and, with
fascinating smile came forward and said,
beautiful maiden, perceive you have lost
your way, come with me and will show you
one nearer and easier, than the troublesome one
by which you came" And so saying, she
beckoned Aucune to follow her, and turned
down good broad path Poor Aucune's van.
ity was aattered when the woman praised her
beauty, and without thought, instantly followed
after.
AS they walked, the woman appeared all
kindness and sweetness, and said, amongst
many other things, "at the end of this path there
is fountain, that always makes the heart glad,
and life happy, and the countenance beautiful,
of those who drink of its waters" Indeed" !"
said Aucune with astonishment "and what dis
lance is it from here?" "Not more than few
miles," said the woman. Wondertulp' ex-
claimed Aucune, show astonishing neither the
Wise Man nor Chacune never named this foun-
tain. This is the very fountain have been en-
deavoring to get to for these many months"
she continued to the woman, "and have been
teasing myself SO long, and here it is just at
hand!' She began now to think that the an
gels and Chacune had been deceiving her; and
to surprise them all, and to show she had found
out the secret rs well rs they, she determined
to solicit the arttul woman to show her the way
to the waters at ouce. 81 will do it gladly"
said the woman, "ior my name is Venus, and
am appointed to wander about in these lonely
paths, to lead the weary to rest, and to guide
all that will follow Inc, to that happy fountain
Tease, mrth, and beauty" And SO saying,
she took hold ofpoor Aucune's arm, and hastily
led her away.
The Wise Man and Chacuue had walked OH,
expecting Aucune would follow every minute;
bat lis she did not appear, they thought she was
staying to gather Il bouquet OF wild flowers, OF
which she was eXceedngl ly fond, and would fol-
l., thnn, S,, tl,nt autn nn and InFf hpr
thinking she would arrive at home at least in
time for dinner But it was not unusual for
Aucune to stay from dianer; for very frequent
ly the ncighbors would invite her to stay with
them, and therefore, her absence caused but lit
tie uncasiness; and in the afternoon, the Wise
Man and Chacune went to visit Il friend, and
did not return until evening.
In the meantime Venus led poor Aucune
along, and in the most winning manner told her
all kinds of tales, some Of which shocked her at
first, but in a little time she entered into them
with delight The road was altogether shaded,
indeed SO much so that the light was almost ex.
cuded. 1t was easy and cool; and being
gradual descent, tho walk was delig ghtful and
interesting. The fountain, how ever, did not
appear SO soon as she expected. She had
heard, what Venus called, the murmuring OF its
waters, for an hour or two, but it did not come
in sight; and at last she began to be anxious,
lest she should not be able to return home that
night. "Never fear" said Venus, L" for have
fairy legions at my command, who can trans.
port you back in a moment" " If this be So"
thought Aucune, "they can as easily transport
me to the fountain at once, and thus save any
further trouble" But when she named this to
her conductor, who was always ready with
some specous put-oA, she said, "the day was
fine and the way beautiful, and as the distance
was so short, it would be more delightful to
walk"
Thus Aucune travelled on; but in spite of all
the stories and artful smiles of Venus, she gra-
dually became anxious and uneasy, particular
ly as the sun was setting, and thick thunder
clouds gathered in all directions. 10 add still
moro to her anxiety, they began to enter into Il
dense forest, in the midst of which Venus de-
clared the fountain was. The shades OF even.
ing rapidly closed upon them, and before they
had proceeded far, the light became black and
dreadful, and every star Disappeared The
wind moancd amongst the trees, aud at every
succeeding blast it was louuder and louder
Great drops began to tallupon the leaves,
and by and by they fell upon the travellers,
who were drenched TO the skin. Flashes OF