The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-11-30
CARO- LEE.

meath the task of cruel sk-master-a chain
ed slave, had become wearied of life, sick of
an existence which brought with il nothing bu.
misery (or, at best, my life was miserable
"ne,) and upon the impulse OF the moment,
while ireading the gaily lined walks ola rich
southern city, determined to visit once more
that little spot on earth which | once g!oried in
calling my home. Who can paint the pill
grim feelings as, after twenty years alb
ssnce, he again V sis the scenes and spots
where, IN childhood, he spent, in sweetest hap
p'nes', the long sunny days, and oamboled
away the choices hours of his existence p
What pen can picture the emotions of that
throbblng heart as it nears the cherished goal,
around which every recollection, dear to memo
ry, chngs rs the IVY ciings around the forest
oak Who can describe the feelings upon be :
holding again those same old hills those broad
green meadows; the same clear, babbling
brook, and verdunt plains Tongue nor pen
can pant the thrilling emotions of the lone
wanderer as he thus returns, The prodigal
TO his fathers home. Yes | determined to visit
again my early home. As entered The little
vii age feeling of deep melancholy came over
me-a sad foreboding of change solemn change
and this sad idea s,'izing my mind, this rough,
stout heart of mine wept bitter, bitter tears of
sorrow. am not ashamed to own that wept,
Trough many, many years had fled since my
eyes were moistened with tears. Who would
not have wept Those whom knew and loved
were no longer numbered with the living, or
bat very few, al most !; their once cherished
forms now silently reposed in peace ben, ath
tie green sod ofyo1der graveyard. The wide,
shady streets, which once echoed the merry
laugh OF myself and companions, now seemed,
to me deserted, though scores of busy men, and
gaily alfred women still ihronged them as
nf nf
stranger
Ii was June evenin "a beautiful, bripbt
fragrant June evening, when laid down my
little pack in the village inn. The birds we e
caro!lng forth their happy songs the cowboy s
merry whistle echoed among the pine-clad hills.
and verdant plains he herds and hocks were
grazing in the green meadows, when wcnded
my solitary way to the village cemetery. When
left my home years ago, but few mounds
were scattered here and there over the beautiful
retreat ofthe dead /; but few monumen ts rear
ed their snowy cresis above the foliage of the
that surrounded them. But what
change This spacious yard was now all filled
up with the narrow homes of those who were
once filled with life and animation. did not
wander far before came 10 the grave of one
whom had tenderIy loved in youth A plain
marble slab, with an appropriate inscription,
marked the resting place of the ounce beautiful
maiden. 1t was too much for me !; my soul
could bear TO go no farther. That maiden was
once my playmate she was my companion in
all my childish sports, and Iiored her. Her
image had ever been present with me in all my
her idolized form her face, radiant
with swee tness, had been ever distinctly re-
membered, and to gaze upon them once more
was the reason of my returning to my home
again Nothing but this desire--a wish thai
had ever haunted me---could have induced me
- return to that spot where no friends now re-
NAMED to welcome the wanderer back Fool that
was Cor over returning!
l Immediately repaired to the inn, and there
rom the lips Of an aged gentleman, learned
he sad history of her whom | had so long
enderly loved. The story ran in this wise
I" Lovely and beautiful was ihal saintei
maiden, George, and many were those who
bowed the knee of alteration before her queenly
orn. She eclipsed in beauty and grace oil
,ther maidens,
As the sun rising doth obscure star
md she was tenderly beloved by all None
could help loving her, for she was friend to
very body; her presence dispeled the cares and
.loom from the howell Of want, as the morning
nis's fly before the rising sun she stood by
he sick couch and the bed Of DEATH cheering
md animating the sufferers with hope and re-
gnation; in short, George, she was good
nigel, and more worshipped by the poor vilIag-
RS than the God who made us, fear. Many
tutors suppl.cated for her hand, but upnn all
The smiled smile Of friendship, and nothing
accepted none. Thus was Caro-
lee, and thus passed the pleasant days of her
youth.
O. When she was about seventeen years Of
ire, her flher, wealthy merchant in our viii
ige, took into service, as clerk, Young man
few years Caro's senior, of very pleasant ad-
iress, aud remarkable personal beauty. Henry
leland possessed every charm to win the con-
idence and love ola young and confiding maid
n lie had spent several years in the city, in
which lime his manners had received a polish
md grace very pleasing TO those who look for a
air exterior before looking for the real merit,
any, which is TO be found beneath Henry
lad not been long in the employ of Mr.. Lee,
When he became acquainted with his beautiful
lughter, Caro-, and desire at their first meet.
ng, if we may believe his own words, entered
lis breast to win the fair jewel.
" Mr.. Lee was a business man in the srictest
ense of the word, and paid much more atten-
ion to his day books and leggers than to the af
airs Of his family. He was sociable old iel
ow, and as perfectly cDniid:ng to those in his
mploy, TO those who stood upon level with
lin thus his clerks and laborers were as often
invited TO his house, and as politely treated,
when there, as the man of millions. Henry
vas not slow TO accept the invitation of Mr..
Zee, nor he backward in improving the
reedom thus granted him With his handsome
'erson and oily tongue. his bew tching smile
nd graceful bearing, he was not long in max
ng favorable inpressi upon the tender soul
If Caro-. Every ant of which he was master
vas practised by him to win the esteem and love
# the pure -hearled girl, and at last he was
uccessful. The tender cord was touched, the
sel-spring of her affections he found: he pos
essed the key to future wealth and happiness
81 need not 60 through, George, with all
he particulars OF their days Of wooing; of The
opposition of Caro's mother to their union the
Interruptions in loves passage, and all this, for
would be, to you, uninteresting. Suffice it
0 say that they loved each other tendarly and
veil Mr. Lee thought Henry very paragon
f perfection, and he gave his consent readily
nd willingly 10 the union. All obstacles were
ow removed from between them and perfect
liss, and the young and hopeful lovers were
Apply. Now all was hustle in the house of Mr..
.ee-cooks and dress-makers, and servant girls
'ere as busy at their respective duties as though
ach and all were to be remarked too and ev-
ry thing progressed finely. Mr. Lee gave to
lenry lew weeks in which to make due pre-
arations for his part in the interesting perform
nee. 1t was duly improved by him, and all
rent as merry as marriage bells. The day at
,ngih arrived, and Henry Leland and Caro-
zee were made "one flesh" That night the
ch nsion of Mr. Lee resounded to sweet
lusic, to gay laughter and happy merry maxi
,g. 1t was bright and joyous scene, and
,any were the silent prayers sent up to the
,rone of grace for the future happiness Of the
cautiful bride.
A splendid house was purchased for the young
ouple--that's the house yonder, George, hid
those stately elms-and Henry became the
inior partner in the firm Of {. Lee & Leland, |
lerchants Let US pass over just one short
ear, George, and gain take up our story. In
lat mansion there-the one to which l have |
lst pointed, is heard The auctioneerS hammer,
nd his rapid call of g who bids higher He
selling the rich furniture that once belon ed
, Henry Leland, but now the property of his
umerous creditors.
A few months after his daughters marriage
lr. Lee became bankrupt, having engaged |
the iulnous speculation of land, in which so
lany lost their all Poverty he could not en-
urr, and in less than one short month from
H. day OF his fai lie was carried to that
ourne from whence no traveller returns. But
few weeks elapsed, AID Mrs. Lee, who had
d many years enjoyed but feeble health, fol-
,wed her husband TO the grave. Henry could
OF stand the awful shock; the blow almost en-