The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-20

Y ~ ttH uest fofm---es ~ salats ~ ne SpItnsfg
country"
"You afs right, sir, | fear, said the Eugsh.
man.
"Wcll," said Dir. Perkins, " | am glad am
not slayeholder, for one reason am sure
should never get to Heaven. | am sure should
be knocking brains out from morning It'll night,
that is, il there are brains under all that mass of
wool Why, they are so slow, and inactive,
should be stumbling over them all the time,
though from the specimen have seen in-your
house. sir, should say they made most agreea-
BILE servants"
my servants are very faithful they have had
great pains taken with them. rarely have any
complaints from the overseer"
Your overseers; that is the worst feature il
slavery" said Mr.. Perkins,
why, sir" said Mr. Chapman, ready for
another argument, " you have yonr superinten-
dents at the Nprth-and they can knock their
people down when they sea lit"
81 beg your pardon, sir" sad Mr. Perkins.
81 had forgotten that"
Stay little while with u.s." said Mr.. Chap
man, AS Mr.. Weston rose to lead the way TO
the drawing.room I" You will not find Us so
bad as you think We may roast negro now
and then, when we have barbecue; but that
will be our way Of showing you hospitality.
You must remember, We are only poor heathen-
ish Southerners,' according to the best received
opinions of some who live with you in New
England"
"Alice, said Mrs Weston at a late hour in the
evening when the last Of the guests were taking
their departure, Walter would like to see you in
the library but my love wish you would spare
yourself and him the useless pain of parting"
81 must see him dear mother--do not refuse
me, it is for the last time-pray let me go"-
"Ifyou choose" and Alice glided away as
her mother was interrupted by The leave taking
of some Of their visiters. The forms, the cour-
tesies of life had no claim upon her now--she
Was enduring her first sorrow, the foundation of
youths slight fabric of happiness was yielding
beneath her touch. The dread "nevermore"
that Edgar Poe could not drive from his heart
and his sight was depressing her. She sought
hin before when her young heart had bowed not
the less devotedly and humbly that it was ST.
lently and secretly. 1t was to be a bitter part
ing, not as when she watched to the last. Ar
thur Weston who was dear to her, as ever was
a brother TO sister, for they had the promise
and hope of meeting again; bnt now there was
no tear in her eye, no trembling in her frame,
and no hope in her heart. From the Utmost
depth other soul arose the prophetic voice, thou
shalt see him no more.
"Alce, Said Walter, ticking her hand between
both of his, and gazing at her face, as pale and as
sad as his own, it is your mothers wish that from
this time we should be as strangers to each
other, even loving as we do, that our paths on
earth shonld separate never to meet again-is it
your wish too!
I'VE must part" you know it Walter, said
Alice, musingly, looking out upon but not see
ing the calm river and the stars that gazed upon
It's waves, and all the solemn beauty with which
night mad unveiled herself"
"But you lose me Alice-and will you see
me 90 from you forever without hope-will
you yourself speak the word that sends me
forth wanderer upon the face of the earth"
said Walter,
"What can do?" said Alice
"Choose, Alice, your own destiny, and fix
mine"
''Walter can not leave my mother-I would
He thousand times rather than bring such sor.
row upon her VITO has known 80 much Ny
uncle too, my more than father, oh. Walter,
have snntd, and suffer"
"You are wise Alice, you have chosen well. I
you cling to mother and home friends-l have
none of these-there is not upon earth being
so utterly friendless as | am
"Dear Walter, you have friends, and You can
make them; you have wealth and talents, and
many gifts from God. 60 forth into the world |
and use them let your noble heart take courage,
md in assisting others aud making them happy, |
you will soon be happy yourself"
Walter looked at her with surprise; such
words were unlike her whom he had been
to consider a lovely and loving |
child. But bitter smile passed over his coun.
tenance, and in a stern voice, he said
"And you, Alice, what are you TO do!
"God alone, knows" said Alice, forced into
of her own sorrow, and resting |
against lounge, near which she had been
standing, she wept bitterly. Walter did not at. |
tempt to restrain her, but stood as if contem
plating grief that he could not wish to control.
Alice.ag again spoke
I" IT must come, dear Walter, first or last, and
we may as well speak the farewell, which must |
be spoken; but could endure my part, if had
the hope that YOU will be happy viii you
promise ms you will try TO be :"
No, Alice, cannot promise you that. IL hap
piness were in our own power, | would not be
looking on you whom | nave loved all my life,
for the last time. Butt will hope that you may
be fortunate enough 70 forget, Gnd be happy"
"Childfen," said Miss Janet, for she had gently
approached them, do you know when and
where happiness is 10 be- found! When We
have done all that God has giver us TO do here,
and in the Heaven above those stars that are now
looking down upon you. Look upon Alice,
Walter, with the hope Of meeting again and
until then, let the remembrance of her beauty
AMI her love, be ever about you. Let her hear
OF you Us one who deserves the pure stlec.
ton OF her young and trusting heart. fe have
lived as brother and sister part "a SUCH and may
the blessing. Of God be upon you both for.
ever"
Walter took Alice in his arms, and kissed her
stsrnness and pride had gone from
his handsome face bat there was such look Of
hopeless sorrow there, as one would not willing
w behold on the countenance of one 40 young.
Cousin Janet led him away--and with words
Of solemn, deep affection, babe him farewell
words that came again for time, unheedcd and
UNIV elcome-words that, at the last, brought
hope ard peace 10 a falling heart.
Cousin Janet returned TO Alice whose face
and head lay hidden within her hands. "Alce,"
darling, she said, "look up--God is here, forget
your own griefs and think of one who suffered,
aud who feels for all who like Him NEST bear