Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-03-31
CHAPTER X.
An old, old man, with beard as white ns snow.
SPENsER.

An old, old man, with beard as white as snow.
SPENsER.
at the Mansion the state of affairs were
- s,-s ~e-ssa1 xfr4h 4hoAto frof<.
and all were again happy even old john at
times was seen to smile and give expression
to his pleasing mirth in sly joke upon Ju-
liet respecting her approaching marriage with
the Doctor. In few weeks after he re-
formed his ruinous habits, he sued Juliet for
her hand and was happy in having the pre-
cious gift confded to his keeping. Mrs.
Meredith urged no objections to their inten-
ded union, but on the contrary encouraged
the cultivation of the pure passion that was
evident had been nurtured by them from
their first acquaintance.
Preparations were now daily being made
at the Mansion for the coming of the day
that promised a full perfection of happiness
to the youthful hearts Dulany was almost
daily visitor to the Mansion now, and his
cup of bliss was fast filing with its nectared
drops, eager to press his lips with the cheer
ing draught. The dark clouds of the past
t'CmfpHInd f5,l~s1.Ise.---d- and tha tri.
| forward skies-the errors and pangs Of the
past were buried in happy forgetfulness and
the gIittsring skies of the future with Its my
Rad stars and gladdening songs,cheered their
fowery, thornless path! Soon they were to
realize the golden dream of bliss that had
! been pictured before them soon they wero
to join hearts and hands to cheer each other
when storm-clouds o'ercast their skies with
gathering gloom, and sing together the song
! Of blissful love; in one month they were to
stand before the man of God and seal the
eternal VOW Of fidelity, the vow that should
link together their destinies, be that what
they may. Fearful responsibility, and yet 50
: full, SO teeming with Hopes fond prophecy.
! This was the goal they longed to reach, con-
r fidQnt that there they should find the pearl
| of unsullied bliss-thoughtless Of the cares
: and sorrows that beset Life's ftful path
s Happy prospects Aye, and we may say
r happy ignorance
J. About this time a strange old man found
d his way to the village. There was something
d very peculiar about this parsonage; bis dress
1t was Of the fashion of bye-gone age, or rath
Ie er Of an age that never existed for it was
s neither ancient or modern in its character
re Some Of the articles of his dress were of tn
t most costly fabric, while others were of |
I'd coarse and mean texture. His manners ant
Is appearance we're so strange that his arriva
created no little sensation in the village
lg He was quite old. seventy we should say
its and his peculiar habits together with his ag
,st suited both the curiosity and the sympath
IS of the villagers. He gave his name as Am
Id brose Danton and said he was from the Cit
i'm of P. He took lodging in one {
,as the Hotels of the village, and to the surpris
on of many, punctually paid his reckoning
es- Numerous conjectures were soon afoat n
. specting the stranger, but no satisfactor
ice solution of his mysterious character coul
,an be given. He was very precise in his hours
Iys eating at particular hours and also retiriT
lor- and arising at specified hours. He was