Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-11-24
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[Fyom he North Carolina Whig.]
A MONDAY STORY.
CHAPTER I.

rides in the sky, and the most daring eye
uuails before him? Gentle, rosy-fngcring
morning has its praises echoed by every one
who rises early enough to view the ruddy I
finge hede~lfgth easterH sky Ylile pearly I
dew drop q0iver on tho petals Of fne drip +
ping rose. Evening twill. Sht is sacred to
love and poesy, and The stars peeping one
by one from the purple canopy Of departing
day, awake soft and pleasing Thoughts
Mldnights solemn shades and sacred silence
has often graced the page Of the rhapsodist.
But noon, over -powering, radiant transcen
dainty sublime noon, when the woodland
minstrelsy gather in the towering oak orr
branching elm, and tune their throats in con
cert, and mau and beast flee from its scorch-
ing rays, like the inhabitants Of some nigh
ty city from the Asiatic cholera when the
locust sings, and the grasshopper rises buzz
ing in the air, and the atmosphere dazzles
with the radiation Of heat, has none to sing
her praise none to weave her glowing beams
in poetic numbers; and yet it is the most
sublime portion Of the day, if briliancy,
power, glory and magnfcence constitute
any portion OF the sublime. | believe how
ever, that authors lay down darkness, gloom
and perhaps uncertainty. as the principal
elements of the sublime But our Object is not
to discourse on subimity, but to recount a
portion Of the fortunes and misfortunes, Of
one, who, in this sublime portion Of the day
was urging on his horse, through the prai-
ries, groves and fields Of the "Lono Star
State"
Many weary niles lay between him and
his native land. The dear home Of his
childhood was LEFT, perhaps forever; and the
thought Of fathers parting blessing, a
mothers tears and fond embrace, a sister s
loving kiss, and the last halfsmiling, half
fearful half-wclancholy farewell Of the gan
tie, 'con6ding Mary as he pressed her hand
for the last time, thrilled through his soul
like the touch Of lightning Lis face was
bent towards the ground and the tear Of
memory was starting in his eye. lie raised
his head, a smiling village lay before him,
and the white cottages and mansions dazzled
his eyes. Dismountiug at the Inn grin.
ming son Of Africa seizedNhis horse, and he,
throwing himself into a chair in the plaza
surrendered himself to pposc. His eye
wandered over the village as it lay stretched
out before him. 1t was real south western
village, that had sprung up in few years.
It's houses were wide apart, and located ir
regularly along tie main street; some neal
the shaded side walks, others far back wi I
spacious yards Of ornamen cd shrubbcry
mingled with native oaks and hickory. =
Here a little cottage peeped ont from vines
Of Jessamine, there tall stecplc rose towards
the clouds, all in most beautiful variety A
one place the untrimmed forest. oyerhunG
the street. and far in the shady dell tn,
village rivulct mumured along and the
village spring boiled up in crystal waters
The farmers were riding along the streets
returning from their plantations and sudden
", across tho street a bell ratified, an;
crowds Of little shouting boys, and ruId,
youths issued from the school-room, whil
from another apartment, laughter-loying lit
tlo misses and smiling madcns trippeJ
lightly along the well worn avenue with al
lases, music, states, and all the paraphelnali
of study in their hands aud under their arm.
rejoicing to spend the sultry hours Of moo
in the family parlor, or nthc cool shades {
the surrounding grove.
Who has not looked with pleasure upo
the happy faces Of innocent children as the
retire from the school room, with complete
task, glad that the hour of rest has com,
and glad that the teacher has given his al
proving smile TO the well recitel lesson 2?
Other days crowd around the soul, and m
ny little incidents of school-days are recalle
to mind. Some little tree, some rock,
grassy bank, full of a world of moanin
where some hard problem was solved, son
thcorem demonstrated, or where "Cesal
Bridge was crossed, or some hard senten
in Greek mastered, will rise spontaneous
TO the mind. Even in the busy years Of ;
ter life, in the heart Of the almost heartc
wording some association will renew t
past, and the man is once more boy, rea
to frolc or fight, to learn or loiter. to stu
or play. ltisnot certain that these thougl
passed in the mind Of Clinton Howard as
sat musing in the village inn, but il v
evident that his thoughts were or the viii
for while good host came smiling and b.
ing, he unused on till the magic word d
ner, or the discordant gong, forget viii
aroused him. lie was the only strang
aud as our host was disposed to be falnil
without being rude, Clinton soon fou
himself in an animated conversation. duri
which, the name" North Carolina'--v
incidentally dropped by the traveller,
which the countenance of the good Mr.. Pl
ips, the inakceper, Frightened, as he ina
red,
HaveyOu lately passed through that @
old State ?
am native of that State, sir. and
now on my FIRST expedition from home ;
you see have wandered a pretty good
tance away
Then, sir, you are doubly welcome
am myself from the western part of Nc
Carolina, and shall be ever glad to rece
in my house, all who come from my for
home. ! left my own State, led on by
fertility of this western land, and partly
cause in my younger days loved to rove,
the wild clamor of the chase was music
my cars. Remain week, sir, or mo