Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-02
ed that she might have been some neglect
ed beauty, and that

'NDISen5e- uOuSeust. nc ItepoLucu.
lit is a silly affair altogether, but as |
have explained to you the cause l trust
YOU will be satisfied, and not again revert
| to the subject" promised him 1 would,
and thus, for the present, the matter rest
ed.
Three months after this incident, was
requested by Felix to wait upon him TO
the altar. He had woocd and won a
beautiful and accomplished young lady,
and nothing seemed to prevent Of his
drinking Of the cup ofhappiness. Never
shall forget the evening when | first
beheld Miss Arlington, ''the admired Of all
the admirers" as she gracefully glided in
to the room, leaning upon the arm other
betrothed. A more beautiful creature was
never cast in the mould of nature, and as
the person Of Felix has already been des-
cribed, need | say there walked not in
this 'svale of tears
"A loyelier pair,
Round which the rosy wreath Of Love entwined.'
AT length the morning Of the bridal ar
rived, bright and beauteous as if smiling
upon their union-carriage after carriage
rolled up to the dwelling of Mr.. Airing
ton, depositing their happy burdens, 'ell
the hour for the ceremony had arrived
We accordingly departed to the church,
where stood the priest awaiting us. The
services commemorative responses by
Felix and his betrothed were audibly Civ
en-, but there appeared to me a singular
tremulousness In the voice of Felix, and
as we were leaving the alter, ofa sudden
deathly paleness spread over his coun-
tenance and had not extended to him my
arm, he would have fallen upon the floor.
Having returned to Mr. Arhngton's, and
the usuul congratulations been paid to "the
happy pair" they departed on their mar
rage journey.
On my return from the ceremony,
found that my presence had been request
ed by Dr., and | immediately re-
paired to his dwelling. 1t was his Gus
tom, occasionally, in his leasurc moments,
to visit the abodes Of misery aud disease,
and administer, gratuitously, advice and
assistance. On these excursions, he was
always accompanied by two or three Of
his favoriie pupils, so that they might
practically benefit in their studies, and it
was now on an errand of this nature that
he had sent for me. ''From the bridal to
the grave it may be said, was ga strange
Jump" but, nevertheless, | obeyed, and to-
gether we departed upon our charitable
mission.
/ shall not here dilate upon all the OBJ
| iects of disease we that morning visited,
but one | cannot pass over--so trul y at
fecting was her situation. After thread
ing several narrow lanes and closes, we
stopped at Il wrctched hovel, whose out
ware appearance was enough TO say that
misery was its inmates. The walls were
all wood, but SO decayed by time, that
wide openings were percephble in many
places-ihrough which the "winds of
heaven visited the dwcllers too roughly"
The windows were shattered, and in lieu
of several panes of glass, were stuffed rags;
straw, and other tokens Of wretchedness.
The door hung awry upon its hinges, from
which the smoke issued in dense clouds,
as well as from the fssures in the
walls. The worthy doctor gently knock
ed, and an old withercd hag, attired in the
veriest remnants of poverty, appeared, and
in husky voice, bade us enter.
On a low bed, whitl scanty covering,
lay a female, whose features, although
bearing the impress of approaching disso-
luton, showed that she was yet young in
years Her eyes, which were sunken
and CLASSY, at the sound ofvisitors, flashed
out with unearthly brightness. Her face,
pale as the lily, assumed hectic Aush, land
her thin and withered lips essayed to artic-
ulate, but sound was denied them. The
doctor approached the sufferer, and seated
himself on an old chest which stood at the
head of the bed, for but one chair was in
the apartment, and that the old woman
had occupied herself, the moment we had
entered.
"Did you obey the instructions which |
left with you on my last visit y asked the
doctor.
"To be sure and did !" answered the
old crone, in coarse unieeling accent.
"And has there been any amclioration in
her disease?" continued he.
Amcloration was a word not to be found
in her vocabulary, and, consequently, she
could not reply. She cast broad vacant
stare upon the doctor, who, perceiving he
had gone beyond her comprehension, a.
droitly made use oflanguage ofa less lofty
character.
"Imean," said he, shave there been any
signs of Improvement in her since my last
visitl'
"Not one, and save your honor, but |
think she won't suffer great deal longer ;
and, indeed, it viii be blessing for her
when she is gone
"Hush!" said he. "While there is life,
there is hope" and he took the hand of the
invalid in his own, as if to comfort her
for the poor creature, although sick to
death, was conscious of all that was pas
sing; and the old hag's unfeeling remark
had caused her to start, and the tears to
push from her sunken and almost sightless
eyes.
"Wouldn't the priest be better for her
than the doctor % said the old woman,
while fiendish smile passed over her
wrinkled and smoke-dried countenance.
"Do you know me!" asked the kind
man, wishing to avoid mourning any more
callous remarks from the old Sycorax,
and placing his lips sclose to the young crca-
ture's ear. A pressure of his hand was
her only reply.
"Well, Emily, can l in any way be of
seEyice to youl o. continued he.
"Yes and thatyou can!" screamed the
old wretch. "She is owing me seven
weeks board, at three shillings and six
pence week, and you will be doing both
myself and the young cratur great ser
vice by handing it over
"Wcll, well, make yourself easy on that
score" replied the good Samaritan: 81
shall take care you lose nothing"
Thank your honor, and long life to