Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-03-31

to not notice any Of the proceedings, but
marched directly across the room to where
John was standing, and cautiously whispered
something in his ear. A shrill cry burst from
the lips of the servant, and as if oyerpowered
by some magic influence which the old man
possessed, he sunk upon the floor, apparently
nsensible. This gave rise to great consterna-
ton in the little assembly, and SO sadly surpris-
ed the Priest, that for the moment it Interrupt
ted him in the performance ofthe ceremony.
The Priest continued:
DO you tale this woman
fLoBJEct tddthe MARRIAGE said Danton.
This gave Else to great CONSERVATION with
the parties; why the old mysterious star-gazer
should intrude himself there and interrupt
them in the consnmmatiOn of their marriage,
was not only surprising, but perplexing. The
old man begged leave to read one of his manu-
scripts before the marriage vows were spoken,
and then if they wished to proceed, he would
withdraw his objection, and permit them to
proceed. Some objected, others insisted that
he should be heard. John arose from where he
had fallen, and presenting the appearance of
haggard surprise, insisted that the manuscript
should be read. The entire scene was one OF
peculiar novelty why had John given express
sion to the wild cry of terror, and fallen on the
foor2 None could tell. The old man unrolled
his manuscripts, and taking one therefrom, he
commenced reading:-
81 once was young, but now the frost of aye
has settled and gathered its solemn reckoning
upon me; more than three score and ten years
have rolled their joys and sorrows over me-, and
in that time | have seen a great many visions
| once saw a young man, who rose to distinc-
ton and splendor like the morning sun. | saw
him start at a rapid stride up the steep offame
and leave his companions far, far behind. ]
saw him glow in the intellectual armament
like a dazzling sun | saw prosperity crown
him with blessings and plenty; saw his name
heralded from city to city as one of the mighty
sons of the earth | saw him lead to the Holy
Altar a blushing and lovely bride; | saw the
imposing ceremony that united them together
for life; aye, for eternity | saw his meteor
like brightness begin to fall into a black eclipse
his sun OF glory sunk In shadowy shame down
down behind the burning cliffs of wretchec
drunkenness-wretched drulkennessp
Here an audible and heavy groan burs
from John.
Yes continued Danton, that sun of the
morning, buried his splendor in the embrace o
that disgraceful sepulchre-buried his talent
and his glory there, and came trembling anC
bowling a distracted and mangled wreck
down, down from the pinnacle of greatnes,
that his genius and struggles had gained him
This fell under my observation years, years
ago. This, this | saw, and have recorded i
here, a memento of the weakness of human
f~railties. Aye, and more have | seen the
wife, the fond bride was spurned of the drunk
en- wretch-he spurned her with fiendish in
I 6InnofInn Of hJC foot hn 4o~o-lal H. .. Al.
filthy dHst-he crushed and wrung that tender
flower in his hands-tore its faithful and with
ering tendrils from his heart, where he had
once taught it fondly to cling for rest when the
storm and tempest roared. From day to day
| saw this feeble flower whitening, dying, duinq
A demon spirit seemed to inhabit the chambel
Of that mans heart, where love once enjoyed
sweet and peaceful repose-the demon spiri
ruled and possessed him it swayed him where
it pleased; it urged him to desperation /
usurped faithful reasons throne; his helpless
children gathered around him and cried pite-
ously for bread. This made the idiot lougl
and echo back the childish cry of bread
bread They once had an abundance of al
the goods of the earth, but now, the helpless
her Old s~aasA aatas @o VI. there Will TAI 1
!, tic zest to the IDIOT father Bread! oh. father
bread! To this the idiot would reply in in
sane mockery:-'Bread! bread! oh ! father
breadP And what lone this! Drunkenness
: Oh /! drunkenness, thou inhuman monster, tn
ravenous NAV has swallowed up the thousan
3 hopes and bliss of this, and eternal lifep
Here John again gave utterance to anothe
: groan, and with horror written on every linz
] drew nearer old Danton, whose singular trail
now became more and more developed. II
! continued:
d AYE, and more yet of the sad, sad story
a miserable howell, | saw them last ; the idi
0 husband burning with the demon spirit in h
bosom, the terrified children screaming in IL
old howell a dismal howl of sorrow and terro
s the dying wife so pale and feeble, ~strugglir
. with the stern monster who sweeps earth vii
his relentless scythe, struggling with death
with death and so pale, so feeble for the task
Oh how changed she was from the happy b
E ING who sat the original for this sacred mini
ture'-taking from his box a small min;atU
se then she was radiant with the smiles of yout
and peace, and Joy, and health, and love; b
then, alas III that fearful moment, so pale,
feeble, SO near eternity, so near Heaven.
that fearful moment, it seemed the demon
the husbands bosom lit a fresh and fiery tor,
of wrath, and thus possessed, he plunged
hhhC II HSI lhIOOOIlS neCKs anu gave q mas
exit to her struggling spirit from its pris
of house-murdered her-a dying saintn
ID Just as the last word fell from his lips,
nc thrust the miniature close in Johns face, w
I'd was standing palsied with fear or some 9th
IN passion ofthe human breast-he WIS petrif
10 to the spot. Danton thrust it in his face, a.
of exclaimed:
re THAT was Ellen, John--that was Ellen, t
r. wife-in Heaven
MS ooh! Righteous God of earth and heave
is wash clean that Bloody Hand! exclaimed DC
If John, staggering back against the wall.
P Yes continued the old star-gazer, app;
hit emily unmoved, and still reading from his M
I'd FERROUS manuscript, that Bloody Hand
of long since been washed clean of its carmi
I'd stain. Has not thy God forgiven thee =? A
p has not the years that have fled since that tras
~ act been sufficient to efface the last trace Oft
reeking gore from the palm of thy guilelt
ye babe All! yes. Thou shalt see that hai
at again, poor John'-and he led HIM to whe
= / tho bri1o 4Lo +orl1, T,1.oA ii -.-L -