The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-11-23

was regular channel for the outpour-
ing of his triumph or his wrath, in IA
kind of weekly meeting at f.vnurite
spot where the ncigIborhood, in ev-
cry direction, sent forth it's little
groups, to spend an evening in com
pairing news, or debating upon the
results of the engrossng events of
the day. The demon IF dscord hailed
these meetings as its own. The pas.
sions, whether noble or base, were
all aroused; and had they needed stim
ulant, they would have found it in
those deep and frequent draughts which
were rendered and accepted as the
pledge OF good fellowship; it was very
visible, ere long, to Mr.. P's friends,
that he had given great disgust to
some 10" characters whom he had
treated with Il scorniul contempt. He
was warned as affairs on the American
side became more gloomy, to be on
his guard; but he laughed at the idea
of having given serious offence to
them, as they still doiicd their hats
and bowed obscquiously; and when
at last, conscious his own impeluosi-
ty, he withdrew entirely from those
meetings, he little dreamed that
scenes and sayings which had passed
from his own memory with the
flush they had excited on his brow. had
sunk deeply into the hearts of some
whom he called. and in all singlcncss
Of spirit, looked upon as neigAbors, in
the primitive sense of that word.
He had married about twelve
month before this period, u very young
creature IAN orphan, and almost friend
less, though not portionicss; and vcry
recently she had given birth to a love
ly boy. His wife was a being of quiet
and gentle mond-bcst suited, per-
haps, to the bold and vehement char
actcr Of him she called lord. His
thoughts, his hopes, his fears: were
faithfully reflected on the PLACID
stream of her feelings; it resisted only
the shadows Of bitterness which some
times passed over his spirit; and when
.h"y came to trouble the fountain of
hsr ha n!l l!!lle,??>f=;,tLstearin her dark eve.
and its imf'ipl3lig Iook, dIspersed hem
when holiers Influences failed. To his
wife, who had found cause for con.
stant anxiety in this trait os his char
i actcr, the change in his habits was
blessed one. She no longer watched
the setting sun in sadness ana in lone
illness, drcaling lest he should have
been cmbroilcd with some pf his rude
companions: yet trying to conceal her
real cause Of solicilnde under the plea
OF fear lest he should hr exposed to
the heavy dcwS Of The season. She
no longer saw him return exhausted by
excitement, or irritatcd by opposition.
1t was griev"us to know that the pntri
OTIS we're, even for time. crushed in
Car"lIia; but she deemed all safe who
no longer offended by word or deed,
and her husband avoided intercourse
with any save Il few tried friends; and
although serious, he was calm. and
always with he: now. and Mary asked
no more.
81 think. dear E,lward.'' said she
rs they sat one lonely evening in the
piazza which embraced the whole front
of their mansion, Il really think W
were never so happy as at present
for our days of c"urtShip, as they
! are called, were days of anxiety and
alarm. aud even our bridal was so hur.
rled and so private that it could
scarcely he called season of 10y. You
know how r.'stlcss you were Just at
| that time. under the uncertainty that
attended the plans against Savannah;
and am sure wraricd ofD' 'Estang's
namc-then when You brought me
here, for many, many months, you
were constantly on the wing. seem
cd scarcely to pass quiet day at your
SIDE. But now you are no longer tr,l
amt; you are taking care OF home. in.
stead of seeking care abroad, and are
literally what our good old Rector told
you you must be-Me Aousebund-
circling all things by your vigilance and
love; and you arc going to set charm
ing example to my sweet George"
added she pIayfuly, as she laid her
infant in its fathers arms, and pressed
her own soft lips to his polished
forehead.
Mr.. P looked up and smiled;
for how could even an absorbed poll
ticIan resist the sweet tone and in
nocent carcss Of his young wife. For
few moments he forgot all beyond
the treasures which his arms cncircled:
but only for few moments. He
$ ghcd, as he said, "My dear Mry
| hope that VIC shall yet sec even hap
pier days than these. Dark as is the
prospect for our country, ] look for
the cloud to roll away even as that
gorgeous one is doing from the
glorious sun; and then, love, the do.
mestic habits for which you give me
such sweet credit will, trust, be of
choice. not of necessity. | shall not
fhn,, hn nhlinnd "a l;a.:.