The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-08-21

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room, saying.
eArthur has come to bid you cood-byc'
When Alice came in, it was plain to sec that
| she had been weeping. At the sight of me she
smiled, but when | rose to go, burst into tears
again.
Mrs Lessings parting words, 'sMay God
bless you and keep you from tcmptation,' [ can
never foget. My eyes were filling fast could
not utter word, and thus left them.
The parting with my mother affected me less
mot that her nature was less affcctionate; but
it had ever been her aim to cultivate firmness Of
character, decision of purpose, in her son. Ma
ny atflctons had she passed through, until she
had learned TO overcome all minor trials, and sa-
crltice her feelings, if others were to be benefit
ted thereby. And, unwilling to cause me mo-
ment's unhappiness, she carefully avoided every
thing which might have such tendency.
1t was a year ere returned to my home My
mother had twice visited me, but had seen
none other of my acquantances during the time
had been apprised of the death of Alice Less
lng's mother, and had wept many times with
sorrow at the loss of one | had long loved, and
with sympathy for the atfliction of little Alice.
had but Elintly conceived the loneliness of
the place. | had seen my mother but few
weeks previous to my return, and therefore my
| greatest joy was in the expectation of seeing my
little playmate, Alice. And you may imagine
my disappointment at learning, on my arrival
home, that Mr.. Lessing had gone to distant
State, leaving Alice in the family of an aunt re-
siding some forty or fifty miles from
Except in the society of my mother, my visit
was chccrlcss enough, and | gladly returned to
school. My mother removed to the place where
attended school; for, since the family of Mr..
| Leasing, who had been her long-trcd friends,
were gone, she felt too lonely away from me
Thus had the pleasure and profit of her socle
ty again.
For the four years that remained at school,
made rapid progress inmy studies cxccllcd
| in compositon and grew ambitious of distinc-
ton as an author During the next four years
after left school, wrote much, and my wri-
tngs were admired and applaudcd.
When twenty three, it was my sad lot to part
with my dearest friend, my ever kind and excel
lent mother. | saw her laid beside the husband
OF her7youth-that parent who had died ere
could speak his name-and felt all alone in the
world; no relative that knew me, and none that
could love as had loved her.
l had sunk down in listless dependency
when, after few days, the thought occurred to
me, that there was still one who was dear to me
in the world. The thought that my beloved lit
tie Alice still lived, gave me new courage, and
without delay, started to see her once more.
found, without difficulty the residence OF
MIR. Wcston, Alice S uncle. Twas plain but
spacious farmhouse, from which an orchard cx-
tended far back, while fields of grain and bright
green grass, gently undulated by the scarcc-tclt
| wind, met the eye on either side. Two or three
stately old elms waved their graceful boughs in
front of the dwelling. AS ncarcd the place, |
felt some difidence at the thought ofintroducing
myself to one who, perhaps, had forgotten me
But, as turned from the road towards the house
a lady, gathering flowers in a garden at the side
Of the house, attracted my attention. drew
near, to ask if Miss Leasing lived there. She
gazed earnestly at me for an instant, then said
ayes; am Alice Lcssing. Are you Arthur
Melton?"
, And in moment | had claspcd her in my
arms; for, with my heart recently sottcncd by
grief, on finding my dear playmate scarcely
changed, although much older and larger,
thought not Of ceremony, till saw the burning
blush on her check, as released her.
Our acquaintance and friendship were soor
renewed She had grown up from child to
most beautiful young lady, but retained the sam'
> artless and affectionatc nature which characteri
zed her childhood She, too, was mourning the
recent loss of her father, and was, like me, lone
orphan. Mutual sympathy for the loss Of friends
united us in stronger bonds Of friendship. Their,
seemed to be no one to whom Alice uttered he
thoughts and feelings SO readily as to me; an,
she asked my advice all points where the ad
vice of an atfectionate brother might have beer
, , asked, and in return she had my whole affection
and confidence.
had determined never to marry; or, at least
until had attained that emincnce that desired
and gave no thought to the ubect for the pre-
sent This resolution | made no secret of t.
Alice, whom loved as if she were my sister.
paid attention to other ladies', except that re
qulred by the forms of common politencss-
Beauty made no impression upon me. When
met an intellectual woman, respected her mind
but gave her no further thought
| spent two years where l was-often in the
society of Alice Lessing; and, when we were a
gain separated, we kept up steady correspond
encc by letters. Alice's letters were filled will
beautiful thoughts, and even expressive of ten
derest regard for my welfare and success. They
gave me the utmost pleasure, and if | ever wish
ed to please any human being did her; for he1
praise was her sweetest reward.
Fool that was, to suppose that could always
live on in the enjoyment of pure q artless friend
ship, as had done.
! I had removed to considerable distance from
my friend, and only saw her after long intervals
of absence; but she always met me with the same
frank and joyous cordially, and on my part these
meetings were full of glad happiness. All my
plans, hopes, and prospects l freely told her
and her heart seemed to enter into all my feel.
ings with the kindest interest.
| was now engaged in the editorial department
ofa popular newspaper, which engrossed large
portion of my thought as well as time. | cared
for little else than the success of the publication;
but there was one bright spot on earth to which
my thoughts would turn, when, wearied with the
toll and care my occupation, one sweet face
visited me in dreams, and one soft voice seemed
to speak words of encouragement and approval
l never had thought that my gentle friend
could be aught else to me than she ever had
been, 50 intently was engaged in my ambitious
pursuits. But was wrong. My lettars were
brief and business like, but l was not aware OF
it at the time-they being usually written in
haste, and when my business called for all my
attention. In hers perceived no change.
Thirty years of my life had insensibly gided
by; and it was nearly two years since | had seen
Alice Lessing. l was anxiously wishing for
some relaxation from business, that might see
again the playmate Of my childhood, when re-
ceived letter from her, the contents of which
filled me with wonder and regret for in it she
told me that she had engaged to marry gentle
man whom ! had met when last visiting her
He was ayoung and highly esteemed physician,
and had formed high opinion OF his charac-
ter. The letter closed with an urgent invita-
Il fion forr mo To ,; fbap