Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-12-08
Gbuire IitGratare.
From the North Carolina Whig.]
A MONDAY STORY.
CHAPTER VII.

the village ana near tue IINGI'
Howard, engaged in teaching, had little
time to think Of bis misfortune. The hours
Of day were nearly all consumed in the school
room and the hours Of night in preparing
h;mselffor the morrow. He sometimes coar-
ted the favor Of the muses., common re-
source, by the way, Of disappointed lovers;
and at others he would read the poets, or
history, or talk to the fair Mag, for he boar
ded with Mr.. Philips; or at others he would
talk to the old gentleman on farming, of
which he knew little, till he would retire to
his room, and then pour forth strain Of soft
rolling music from the flute, upon which he
excelled The life Of teacher is so little
varied that it would not bear description, at
least for the benefit of those who have new
or experienced the pleasures or pains Of that
kind of lie. There is pleasure in watch
irg the first efforts of budding genius, and in
noting the march of mind. There is pleas
ure in pointing out the reason of things if it
be only why two and two are four. There
is pleasure in fitting together latin SEN
tence for some troubled student and in watch
ing the countenance brighten as each diff.
Guilty is laid aside. There is pleasure in
seeing the tyro's first attempts at clocution
Of future Statesmen, Ministers or Poets
There is a pleasure in all these things, but
they are private and enjoyed by few. So
pacsed the time Of our friend for month";
when letter was received from his friend
Oh how anxiously he tore it open and read
its contents He smiled as he folded it up
a I .
His letter had been received but was not
answered by Mary. A very confdentially
told his friend that he had verbal assurance
of Mary's love for him: that they were en-
gagged, but permitted him to inform Clinton
under the obligation of secrecy.
He shed no tear. No angry expression
was on his brow. All was calm and quiet
in the exterior, but far, far beneath rolled
the dark waters of despair. He bore nc
hate against Mary. She had never deceiv-
ed him she had never encouraged him.
Led on solely by her charms, had he wrap'
the cords of love around his own soul, and
now he must bear bitter reverse, unabled tc
cast the blame on the faultless object Of hi
passion.
But Clinton was not that class of soft sen
timentalists, who fall beneath the first re
verse; His spirit reused his energies. I'll
strove to forget this hopeless passion, ant
although he could not drive it from his memo
ry, yet his philosophic, l need not say Pla
tonic, mind, extracted much of the bite
from his cup of misfortune, and all thing
flowed in their wonted channel. The leave
were falling from the trees, and the frost
king was triumphing over vegetation. Au
tumn wancd away, and Winter wrapt her
self in her mantle of ice. The Christina
holidays were at hand, and preparation
we're making to celebrate the day in merr
ment and joy. De Lacy proposed part
at his new home for the entertainment ofth
young people, to bc cnlivened by hunt i
ethe adjoining prairies or swamps, in whlc
the men might exhibit their skill and coul
age in the chase.
The eventful evening was now at han(
and Clinton escorted Mag to De Lacy
each mounted on a fiery steed, that had nj
yet lost the lofty step and proud glancin
eye, peculiar to the wild horse ofthe prairi
to which they were related Mags palfrC
was coal black, with long flowing man
and as he galloped over the level road,
almost scorned to tread the ground, and +
quired the rcins to be kept constantly tigh
else he would have bounded off at fearf
speed. But his rider waa equal to his Fl
and ambition, as with sparkling eyes s.
reigned him in, then gave him freedom, al
guided him at will How beautiful 81
seemed, as with flowing hair, and blushir
cheek, she dashed gallantly off with ClintC
by her side, admiring her wondrous SIX
and courage. 1t was pleasant ride and
pleasant evening, and pleasant party
The rough swain of the forest, blushing
his own courage was there ; and the maj
embrowned by southern sun, was ther
and the beauties of the village were ther
all ready to admire or be admired, to ent
tain or be entertained, and some ready
love and be loved. 1t was a picturesq
group Away back behind tho door sal
bashful youth, who would have given worI
for courage and words to talk to his darli
Betsy, while Betsy would have given I
same for him TO come and set by her side.
But he was afraid In one corner sat g
whom nature neglected to beautify, and {
beaus neglected to notice. o world of h
rors to be wall flower at party. ]
me be haunted, despised, dctested, doom
to almost anything, but never overlook
when all else are happy.
In the midst of the joyous throng was n
but now she was gloomy A shade of mel
choly was on her brow. What was the eau
1t was this. Rumor, with her thousi
tongues, and throats of brass, had engaged
10 Clinton. His car had caught her whisI
ings, and he, to save her from the conn
remarks incident upon his attention, had
serted her, upon his arrival, and was |
gOily dallying with another, while b
headed, fox-aced lawyer, was trying to
enrapturingly to her. Mortified at one,
gusted at another, who could be joyful
glad2
CHAPTERV VIII.
Cold and piercing dawned the mornin