Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-01
MISC ELLANEOUS
From the Ladies KeepsoLe.
Manuscripts Oft.c DcsOIated.


Fousa among he priratepqpers cd
Truly mine has been an eventful exis-
tence am old, very old now. This
poor, aching head, is hoary with the frosts
of m any rude winters. Mine eyes see dimly,
for they swim in the tears of bitterest sor-
row. My frame is weak, and palsied limbs
sink beneath the burden of this attenuatcd
body. Yes, yes, the life streams already
freeze in these shrunken veins, and soon
will the ice Of death choke up the vital cur
rents forever
Well, well-'tis fitting that life's wild
dream were over. have played my part
great Heaven thou knowest hoac ucll
in the fearful drama of human instability.
Soon the curtain Of time will descend, and
all will be eternally forgotten. Forgotten?
Ah, no. Oblivion may not cover up my
deeds, and history will carry down my
fame TO generations yet unborn My name
can never die
am descended of proud Anglo-Saxon
blood. My ancestors were among the
earlestcolonists of Great Britain to the new
world. Ny father was opulent and in
Huenlial. His plantations were unbounded
his mansions princely ,and provided with
every luxury which wealth could procure.
His countrymen too, thought him wise and
good, and heapcd on him multiplied hon
ors and distinction
AT the age Of three years | was an or
phan-and good and venerable uncle
then became the guardian of my tender
years. He promised my father much in
regard to my well-being, and really strove
to do all and more than he had promised.
Poor man His heart overflowed with
the wine of genuine benevolence, but he
wastoo gentle to govern well. He was
blinded to my foibles-thcy gradually be-
came grievous faults, and speedily even
tuated in cruelty and crime He would
have led me over the fower-strewn fields
Of life, but | was hcadstrong and reckless,
and sought out path Of mine own amid
the wild brambles and by the slippery
sleeps where baskcd the serpents and their
brood.
Before ten summers suns had embrown-
ed my cheeks and darkened my flowing
locks, | deserted the peaceful asylum Of
my guardian relative, and went forth and
commingled with the rude and daring of
my kind, far away onthe ocean wave. Oh,
| was in my glory then! | loved the
deep, dark waters, and rejoiced when the
storm-god scattered around his icy dia-
monds; when he spoke in hoarse thunder;
when he wreathcd the sky in flames; when
he whistled clear, shrill music, amid the
shroudsSf our bonny bark.
But my spirit was a restless one, and
soon the excItements and scenes of ocean
palled upon my senses and afforded no
pleasure. Old Neptune could no longer
supply advertisement to my ardent fancy,
and the element sprites could but dance
and sing in the ballet of opera and eternal
ages. l wanted something neto. Novelty
was the food upon which my spirit feasted
| was miserable withoutit Change, change
| scould have. Hence my imagination re-
turned once more to the green fields and
purling streams, and every reticshening
association of mother earth 1 could moi
be satisfied without their enjoyment.
AT length the voyage was asconsummated
Wereturned to the great mart. ll-freighted
with the costly and beautiful fabrics of a
people whose home was toward the MS
ing sun. OurjolIy craft finally rested up
on thewaters of the wide spread bay,seem-
ingly as thing of life, or as the gentle
cygnet, when there was naught to disturb
the tranquility of her bosom.
My aged uncle fastened on board tc
welcome back the truant boy, nor did he
chide my waywardness. He was too glad
to greet me, and forgot every anguish ]
had caused him when consented once a.
gain to return to his abode and share his
hospitality and abiding affection.
Oh, the wretchedness of an unstable dis
position! 1t was not long before repen
ted having quilted the whilom dull ocear
for the no less irksome monotony ofa coun
try life. A feeling of sadness came over
my soul, mysterious and unaccountable-
My relatives strove by every means to dis
pei my dependency, in vain. | wa:
wretched and unhappy still. They caress
ed me-indulged me-made fool Of me
had no wish ungratiied-and it seem
ed for that very reason my spirit became
the more vcxed. Ny soul Auttered within
my bosom, ike the imprisoned bird which
disdained narrow limits, and longed tc
wing Its way into the free arr, and circum
scribe all ethereal space. My Temperament
f was that of the mettled steed CALLED to mad
, ness by thebitandspur. The blood courset
burning through my veins, and fred my
brain to frenzy with the irnpetuosity Oft
circulation.
Ere long, however, this fever was sub
dued. Passion had spent its force, an,
there was reaction ofthe mental and cor
} poreal functions. Inow roamed the greei
woods-clambered the hill-sides, and des
cended into the loansome valleys. Then
hunted in the wild glen, or angled in tn
trout stream, orpulled therapid oartlirougl
! the broader waters. And yet again, in m,