Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-06-13

climbed with him the high hills which lie to
the rear of the town which surrounds this in
stitution, and from whence the blue line Of
the Alleghanies might be discovered in the
distance. At such time the studies in which c
we were engaged the pecnliarities of our I
fellow students; the little but exciting rival
ries of College life topics of eongenial in {
terest The beauty of the scenery, and the !
prospects of the dim seen future, were fire. !
quent subjects of friendly conversation. In
all the wanderings of our life since then we
look back to those scenes with tender, and
in consequence ofother events melancholy
interest; they appear in the rough woof of
life like silver thread traeeable in all its
windings, although shrouded by the dark
color which surrounds it.
The disposition Of young B--was gen.
erous and enthusiastic to fault.
Caring little for self, be would have sac
ri6ced every thing for his friends, or to the
call of humanity. An incident Of his life
| fully illustrated his kind and generous dis
/ position. Returning home from college du- |
ring one Of the long vacancies, in a rather
sparsely settled neighborhood, he came across
party in search Of lost child which had
strayed from its parents in the woods. The
mother was along with the party, and in all
the energy of despair was urging the search
for her lost child. The men had been out
three days, and we're nearly exhausted, the
passionate opportunities Of the mother and
lather allowing no tine for repose. The
scene at once aroused all the generous en-
thusiasm of young BIS nature. He sprang
from his horse, plunged into the woods,
) searched the forests most secret recesses.
and after three days of incessant labor and
fatigue. during which he scarcely allowed
himself time to eat or drink, be at length
, discovered the lost wanderer more dead than
/ alive and restored it to the arms Of its al
: most despairing parents.
Being in an advance class. towards the
$ close Of our collegiate career. NE were not
: so much intimately acquainted with young
: B, as at the time when we first enter
!, ed the institution. 1t is true our friendly
d intercourse was not interrupted; but still il
: was not upon that personal relationship which
ot presented his habsts of life to our particular
is notice. Reports occasionally came to our
IS ear that B., was sometimes engaged in
the wild dissipation which not unfrequently
= carry away too many of the youth Of oul
N best literary institutions. and bear them tc
dishonored graves but these reports being
e, but lily defined. and vague, VIC gave but lit
tie creditto them At length the time o
as our graduation arrived, and the endeariny
H. scenes ofeollege life were about TO be broker
y up forever.
= Prior to the commencement day, we tool
one long. and last stroll over the scenes rem
dered dear and familiar by many a pleasah
walk and conversation. We SPOKE of tn
ve past, and its delightful reminiseenee AM
us then We spoke of the future we spoke warm
ir- ly of that period of life which would brin,
of the fruits of long cherished hopes, and tn
10 rewards Of lcng and preserving labor.
I'D The past seemed to effect young b
he with melancholy sadness, and the ar
ce preaching separation did not appear to NOV
him as much as we had reason to suppos
ur from having knowledge of his sensitiv
nd temperament. why is il" we remarke
d. in observing his apparent uneoncern, VIII
u is it that the present appears to make littl
a impression upon your feelings, or the futur
I'M to excite in you those delightful hopes S
of dear to youth
W. AS this question was put to him shad
7e. of melancholy appeared to pass across h
he countenance He hesitated, and as "
n observed that he avoided reply, We did NJ
nd press the question.
. That evening he appeared at our room
est and without any request on our part, Ell
cry tered into an explanation Of his conduct dl
,w- ring the day . You have heard, Graham,
he said, 'e Of the rumors afoat concernir
the my dissipation, and 1 have no doubt b.
ent instances of fragrant conduct Of this kir
sed have reached you. ears
ems We replied that such had been the cas-
leir He mused moment; he east his e,
ler- upward, and there appeared to pass aero
lth- his face an expression of agony such as '
ug- have never since beheld, and hope never
the see again. 1T sCas a settled Lcok Of despai
gith Aftes brief silence he replied The
the reports are true; | am victim to an in,
of table thirst for ardent spirits; have str
mia en- to conquer my appetite, but ! cannot
ind it. The ; DEMON POSSESSES NE BODY Al
- SOUL =
the He here stopped but he repeated t
on. last words several times, as tho unconscio
two of what he said. We were horror stru
at his explanation and urged upoa him I
ded to despair of reformation.
adj All. said he It'll too late now, Imis
red. have succeeded once. had | believed i
lind this appetite could become Unsuitable;
! of | thought had power over myself. 7
ppli- has ruined me. Oh, the fatal confidence
med youth! 1t is ruin 1t is ruin p
Ielli- The commencement day passed off q
serc we left the halls Of college forever.
roud Who is there who has felt such separat
,varo hut can recolIeet the sadness fsrst exn