The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-12-20
A sDIBGe.sD gA5gs
THE BROKEN He ART.
TRUE STORY.
BY c. EDWARDS LESTER

ey C. EDWARDS LESTER.
One evening in walking the deck G
the vessel in which had crossed tn
Atlantic. | fell into conversation with
passenger whose demeanor had create
o lively interest in my mind This III
ferest was first excited by an incideu
that occurred in the early pari OF on
VOYAGE. On the evening OF the da,
we sailed. as the faint outline of home
which had for some time hung trem
bling on the vision, faded behind thu
waters. | saw him leaning over thu
stern with his eyes fixed steadily upor
the retreating shore also noticed
when he was aroused from his revery
by the giving way of rope. as he
turned and the moon fell upon his face
traces of fresh tears felt a sympathy
with him from that moment, and long
ed TO win his confidence and learn his
history. was persuaded there was in
his heart fountain Of gentle feeling.
We conversed as we walked the deck
arm in arm. until we approached the
subject of our own personal histories
After had in frank manner related
some of the more singular incidents IN
nv own life. | expressed desire 70
listen to his history. He freely told me
his story. and it was no less touching
than strange:
You are the only human being" he
commenced, = have seen in long years
TO whom would say what | am now
going 10 reveal; and after have told
Won nv story. you will be the only one
now on earth who knows 1t. FltteeH
years ago this spring, | was passing
with my fathers family through one "f
the most beautiful districts of Massa.
chusetts. Just as we we're entering tn
ouief village of -. our horses took
fright from a kite which fell suddenly
in the road before them They ran
with great whence aud threw MS all
from the carriage. My sister was so
seriously injured that we could not pro-
ceed on our journey for several days
We all took lodgings in neat and qnIei
hotel in the village. expecting 10 be
detained considerable time
The day after the accident. my
sister requested me to make inquiry ta
female friend whom she had known
in Boston some years before. whose
parents lived in the village. She said
they had been very intimate. and she
wanld be glad to meet her once more.
After some inquiries found her resi-
deaee. Mary was too i'll to write. ami
told me it would be sufficient intro
duetion for me to say that | was her
brother. But said she. playfully.
Edward. take care of your heart, for
she is lovely girl ;,
Mary had often spoken OF her friend
10 me with the deepest enthusiasm, and
myfancy had already invested her with
ali the charms dreamed of one day
finding in some fair creature who would
vet cross my path. =
81 had inst left the halls of Harvard
College, and my heart was as free as
the breath of that evening. AS | open
ed the gate saw . very beautiful girl
in corner of the dooryard, trailing
honeysuckle over the arbor that led into
the gardin. Her head was uncovered,
and the rich auburn hair was falling IN
,,luxuriant curls over her shoulders
She did not observe me until playful
little dog came out from the arbor TO
dispute my entrance. She called him
back with q sweet voice, and ap-.
.proached her. She was in the fresh
ness and beauty of youth; that fervid
season when the young female heart
begins to Develop its pure affections
when the first thrill of love either has
,sor soen will waken rapture from every
chord Of the soul. inquired If this
vas the residence of Judge
"a .sYes, SIR she answered, do you
wish 20 see my fathere
n sssNot if have the pleasure of ad-
dressing his daughter
s aThe rich blood mounted to her
cheek while | .unfolded the object OF
my visit
essYou may have heard of the acci- |
-daatthe travellers met with in entering
The village last evening. It was my
,fsthsr,s carriage, and the lady who was
injured was your old friend, Mary ~
Of Boston,
!, Fss Oh / is il possible. How much is
she hu1il wish could see herr
This was said with deep eaEnestness,
md certainly ~ she came nsarer 70 me |
whils Ireiated .hs circumstances OF
l1ha misfortune, she appeared more
rlnsely than aByrbeing ] had ever seen. t
my sister requested me 10 call, /
ws.hshsr love Tor y0urssl6 and request