The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-08-15

ed her with a kindness and courtesy
not usually accorded to a domestic,
wore nothing of familiarity. but ap-
peared the result of grateful sense
Of her kind Offices.
Twas much struck by the elegance
Of his manners; there was nothing over
strained, nothing commonplace. His
voice, although somewhat hollow. was
singularly musical. His forehead was
high and capacious, and strongly indi-
cative Of mind and genius; and his
whole countenance, although exhibi-
ting the ravages of disease, was radi-
ant with expression.
On looking round the apartment, l
observed that his windows were pro-
fnsely and tastefully decorated with
flowers, and upon his table was the
identical basket which / had so often
replenished. AS between strangers
the conversation was, necessarily, lim-
tied, soon took my leave, but not with-
out receiving an invitation, or rather a
request. to repeat my visit, which pro-
missed to do.
The deep interest with which the ap-
pearance Of the invalid, and the cir
cumstances under which met him,
had inspired me, induced me to make
some inquiries concerning him, and
from the imperfect particulars | CLEANED
of his history it appeared that he was
one, and the survivor, OF five children,
and the sole remaining branch OF
family of some rank and considerable
wealth. His parents died in his boy
hood, and his brother and three sisters
had all been swept from the earth by
that disease which has carried desola-
ton into the families of thousands,
sparing neither youth nor comeliness,
blossom nor fruit.
Agreeably to his wish, ! repeated my
call at the cottage, at short intervals,
and, gradual as was his decline. upon
each successive visit he was percepti-
bly worse, and at last the thread OF
life appeared to be so finely attenuated
as to want but breath to sever it. But
the decay affected his frame only; IT
appeared p0werless upon his mind,
which shone with brilliancy and
strength which were. oitentimes, too
much for the frail casket in which 1t
was enshrined.
There was, however, another being
in that house, from whose cheeks the
roses were whitening, and every day
saw some OF their bloom depart; but,
although her spirits were wasting like
the wan form she watched with so in
tense and absorbing an interest, her as
siduities appeared to multiply as the
period approached when he would re-
quire them no more. She glided about
him with a noiseless step, like some
beautiful spirit sent to soothe him in
his painful passage from troublesome
world; and such of his wishes which
she could not anticipate. and there
were few which she did not. were exc
cuted with celerity, but in a silence
which indicated heart too full to trust
her tongue.
What was there in that pale cheek
and wasted form that should have won
the regard of beauty in her hour Of
blooms Why did she not turn away.
and abandon him to the grave that was
gaping to receive him! Ask the ques-
ton Of Philosophy, and she will search
among her cold maxims for solution
of the mystery in vain. Woman's af-
fection is like the ivy ; it doth often at
tach itself to the ruin, and the cold frost
Of neglect and the bleak storm of ad-
versity are alike powerless against it;
its verdure is undying-its tenacity in
vincible. Unwearied devotion to the
object which hath once inspired her
is woman's Distinguishing
a property peculiarly her
own: oftentimes, it is the only gem of
which sin hath not plundered her; the
lone flower in the weedy wilderness of
her mind, that fourishes with undying
freshness. though the virtue which
should have consecrated it be withered
for ever. But the feelings which Mary
felt for her invalid guest were conse-
Grated by the most exalted virtue they
were pure. because unalloyed with any
thing selfish or sordid: If, indeed. there
were aught of passion involved in them,
it was so refined and sublimated that
We know it not as the gross feeling
which passes BY that name in the
world.
The last visit paid the invalid was
the consequence Of a summons l re-
ceived from him, and on entering the
cottage found him reclining on his
couch, with his face towards the win
dow. II was evening, and the rays of
The declining sun shed their red glare
over the apartment. He extended to-
wards me his pale thin hand, and Fee
bly, pressing mine, he motioned me to
vit down beside him. 1t was very evi-
dent that the hand Of death was strong
upon him. But he had not viewed the
grim dstroyer's approach through q
vista Of unrepented crimes, and there
fore dreaded not his presence nay, he
hailed him as . messenger sent to con-
Duct him to Him, with whom his prayer
had found acceptance, and who had
given him peace At the last" After
! pause, he looked up into my face
with = faint smile, and said, "You see,
my friend, that the fame, whose flick
ering you have 20 long watched, is 60
ing out at last. You have been kind,
verv kind to me. and have been with