The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-03-06
EBENsBURG, THURSDAY. MARCH 6, 1851.

MS daughter, when her fathers death
would bow her down with grief. But
though this marriage seemed so certain,
and was SO much desired, it was not to
take place-the Parcae had ordered other
things, which though slowly and noise
lessly approaching, would most surely
come to passl Young Ithocles dropped
daIiy-he saw so many advantages for the
kingdom in this offer of the prince of Ar
gos, that the marriage seemed unavoidable
TO him. Again was his repentant heart
filled with sorrow for the deep injustice
he had done his sister, and his new friend
Orgilus; his love for Calantha taught him
the extent of the great and Irretricvable
wrong he had done them; and sick a,
heart. both for his own sorrows and theirs
he sent for the poor lady Penlhea, and told
her all his trouble. His sister, though
sinking fast into the grave, under the
weight of the burden imposed by him
upon her life. forgave his wrong TO her,
and cheered him in his love for Calaniha;
promising him at parting, to invent some
means to relieve his grief.
She went to Calaniha, and beautiful
scene took place between them; the poor,
PoiSB FIlUSC IdCE AREA
dy bore the prints of Deaths icy finger
touch, demanded of her royal lady pri-
vate audience, which was granted, for
Calantha loved her for her own gentle
sake, as well as for the love she bore Sc
cretly for lthocles. When they were
alone, Penthea said in broken accents.
MY glass of life, sweet princess, hath
few minutes remaining TO run down; the
sands are spent; for by an inward messen-
ger L feel the summons Of departure, short
and CERTAIN
Calantha tenderly caressed her, saving
- ou feed too much your melancholy,
Penthea, the future will have much for
you, cheer up and throw aside this heavy
grief, who knows what happiness and
greatness may yet be yours!''
"Glorles of human greatness are but
pleasing dreams and shadows soon decay
ing" replied the already dying Penthea.
Sweet royal lady, on the stage of my
mortality my youth hath acted some scenes
of vanity. drawn out at length by varied
pleasures, sweeteued in the mixture, but
traglcal IN issue. Beauty, pomp, with
every sensuality our giddiness doth frame
an idol, are Inconsistent friends when any
troubled passion makes assault upon the
unguarded castle of the mind
''What mean these moral textsf'' Ca
lantha asked; "what end do you propose,
dear Lady,"
ITO place before you, royal madam. &"
rePiied fen'hea, "a perfect mirror, where
IN you may see how weary | am of this
lingering life. No remedy remains for me
but winding sheet, fold of lead, and
some untrod on corner of the earth. But
before go. my princess, have an hum
Die suit, favor to ask of you. Vouch-
sale to be my executrix, and take the trou-
bic on you TO dispose some legacies as |
bequeath them.'
lhe princess assured her with tears
that she would do all that she required.
81 have but three poor Jewels to be-
queath,' said Penthea, with faint smile.
The first is my Youth; for though SO old
IN grleis, III years I'm but child: this |
pestow upon all betrothed maids and hon.
est wives; the second jewel is my Fame,
winch bequeath to Memory, and Times S
old daughter, TRUTH
"Nay, you jest, dear Penthea," Calen.
tha replied, "and yet how handsomely Won
play with harmless sport of mere imagin-
ation. You spoke of three iewels-tell
me OF the last, for in truth / like vour
WiIl.'' 'oo'
ihe third jewel, royal lady," answer
ed tenthea more solemnly, sis dearly
precious to me, and you must use the hest
OF yonr discretion to employ the gift as |
direct. This third jewel should have
been my own heart, but that w as lost lono.
long ago; but instead of it do solemnIy
bequeati to great Calantha in holiest rights
OF love- my only brother Ithocles, who
loves you' lady, dearly. Look on him
Win an eye OF pity; be princess in sweet.
ness as In blood, give him his doom or
raise him up to comfort"
Maiden shyness and surprise took nos.
session OF Calantha. The prince of Ar
grs suit had proved to her She loved an.
other, ana that other was the brave Tho.
cles; but his sisters strange request pre.
sen!ed IN this sudden manner, filled her
WIN embarrassment; then the thought OF
ner lalher possible objection presented
ltssii before her, but she soothed and com.
forted the poor dying lady, who was al>
ready sinking under exhaustion caused by
she excitement of her conversation, and
after parting tenderIy with her, made her
own ladies wait on her with all distinc.
ton to her home.
FOR days Calantha felt perplexed; she
knew not how to act, for though each day
convinced her tha, she loved Ithocles too