Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1853-12-15
MISC Ell l. A n E 0 y s..
From the National Era.
AMELIA.
ALEAF FROM LIFE.


ALEAF FROM LIFE.
How often have gozed, with pleasure
on the face where rested tina. peculiarly
bright, yet quiet expression, which nothing
else in life can give, but happy love-
There is no longer The resllessness of hel
whose affections are still wandering abou
and find no resting place, There may BIT
vet thonsand plans for her to make-she
may be still ignorant of the place of her fu
lure home-she may anticipate a weary
tourney and wandering life, bu, there is nc
isleepless anxiety or troubled thought--hel
heart has found a home!
The admring homage Of thousands would
not now add one CLEAN to her smile-one
glance alone can light i! with unwonted
brightness. No sklIlful physiognomis, need
faIter moment in reading the countenance
of Kue-beared woman. Amid all the
lights and shadows, there is one pure, soft
ened ray, which nothing else can kinde in
the eye Of The belrothed. Not less pure
but more brilliant, is tina. of the welded
wife, but with none Of the sparkling fl ashes
Of the coquet,e
Never was this more percep.ible than in
Amelia. Hers bad never been a fleeing
heart nor a spirit disturbed bv every pass
ing breeze. If any censnrc had been spn-
ken concerning her, it would have been
that she had not sufficient animation, and
many would have seen in her few ailrac-
tons.
], was in her home end at The Preside
that she must be seen, TO be apprecia ted
She was not one Of the ornaments of soci-
ETY.; for she mingled not with the world;
and her great reserve and extreme sensbil-
IIty deferred her from active interest in 9TH
ers. 1t was only confiiing friendship
that understood her character, The pelvad-
ing element Of which was sweetness and
| did not know her with The intimacy of
swee, communion, I'LL grief had entered her
bosom, and was performing with fidelity
the silent work of The destroyer.
Day by day. saw her happy, and knew
what all the world knew then, tina. she was
engaged to Robert s.; all who knew
him said he was noble, big minded man
worthy of Amelia. lie had not wealth, bur
the ambition and energy which insure the
-.%.-:-.------. IS tire ~-~-s--il--i, -
Iigent, and fascinating ; and many and warm
were the congratulations they received, as
the bright prospect opened before them.
How often have found her reading a
letter, and ''lrom whom can it lie :" J would
whisper archly bur had only lhs. beam
ing smile for answer, as she would li(l The
lid ola beautiful papIer mache box-hIs gift
and there were dozen among which this
would be deposited, aud then she quickly
turned the key lest they should be desecra-
led by even look from Indifferent eyes.
She had Bible which he gave her, too
and it was always lying on the little table
by her bedside, 10 read the last thing before
she shut her eyes TO dream Of him, and the
first to meet them in the morning.
How she loved to talk Of their home and
how happy she was with her needle pre-
pairing for domestic comfort, and planning
household arrangements. How proudly she
exhibited The ches. Of linen and the patch
work quilts. which wore no stitches but
those by her own fingers.
For year her happiness lasted, and then
he left her for distant cline. As they
talked over the 'days of ABSENCE" she
would some times say, "And what if you
should change, Rober, - Blu, this she did
without a thought tina. it could ever hap
pen; and he would as soon thought of sui
eide as change.
In year he would be back again, end
then they would par. no more forever
Every pleasant haun, visited, and every
fond vow repeated. Her cup Of happiness
was full !; and for many weeks aye, months,
no doubt or fear dis,utb bed it.
His letters were, al first, the gushing
springs from the vetflowing fountain bu,
10y degrees they became cold and restrain
ed. Every. expression of affection seemed
forced, and she felt the contrast, before her
mind could decide in what it existed.
1t was sn eflor, now 10 be cheerful; yet
she child herself to dis,rus,. She looked
within her own BOSOM, and said, 81, is i'm
possible the heart. can change" Again she
wandered by the brook and in the grove, to
rekIndle the memory of those solemn pledg-
es, 10 revive the look, the tone so dear TO
her and then would hope spring up again,
and she would feel sure that time would
unfold the mystery, and all would be RICH,
that is, as her heart wished.
Shall we follow him to those sunny bow
ers? 1t is possible for us, though impossi
BILE for her. heard it from his lips. and
! therefore it must be true.
lie is not alone; there is one who talks
and walks and reads with him, and with
whom he thinks it no harm TO talk, to walk.
and read =; for she only wishes for in,ellec-
tual companionship. Her weeds, which are
very becoming, contrast s'rikingly with her
delicate complexion bu! he has not learn
ed to read those black eyes, or he wouId
see something more than intellect in their