The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-08
For the National Era.
AMELIA.
A LEAF FROM LIFE.

How often have | gazed, with pleasure, on
the iacs where rested that peculiarly bright,
We. quiet expression, which nothing else in life
can give but happy love. There is no longer
the iestessness of her whose affections are still
wandering about and find no resting place.
There may be yet thousand plans for her to
mske-she may be still ignorant of the place
OF her iut1re home II she may anticipate q
weary journey and wandering life, but there il
10 seepless anxiety or troubled thought-her
heart has found home
The admiring homage of thousands would
not now add one CLEAN to her smile - one
g'@ace alone can light it with unwonted bright
He~ No .kilI'u physioguomist need falter a
roment VI reading the countenance of o true
hearted woman. Amid all the lights and shad-
'as there is one pure, softened ray, which
nthing else can kindle in the eye OF the be-
trthed Not less pure, but more brilliant, is
that vi the welded wife, bu: with none of the
sparkling II sshes OF the coquette
Never was this moro perceptibo thar in
Amelia Hers had never been fleeing heart
nor spirit disturbed by every passing breeze
II any censure bad been spoken concerning her,
1t would have been that she had not sufficient
anuation, and rany would have seen IN her
lew attractions.
lt was in her home and at the fireside that
she must be seen, to be appreciated She was
rot one of the ornaments Of society for she
mingled not with tho world, and her great re-
serve and extreme sensibility deferred her from
as0ve interest in others. It was only conf,
ding friendship that understood her character,
the pervaiing element of which was sweetness
and did not know her with the intimacy o!
sweet al v,,af haA bo,
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, that she was
engaged to Robert s. and all who knew
p hia, said he was noble high-minded man
worthy OF Amelis He had not wealth, but the
ambition and energy which insure the attain
ment of it. He WIS intellectual, intelligent
and fascinating; and many and warm were the
congratulations they received, as the bright
pro-peOt opened before them
How often have found her reading letter
aud from whom can it be-" would whispe,
Afchly; but had only tina beaming smile fol
answer, as she would lift .ho lid of beautiful
PAPER mache box-his gift---snd there were @
zen, among which this would be deposited
AAd then she quickly turned the key, lest the,
mud be dcsscrated by oven look from in
different eyes.
She had Bible which no gave her, too; and
Was aleays lying on the little table by hel
o..'lde to read the last thing before she shut
ne' eyes to dream OF him, and the first to meet
"en IN the morning
n'wshe loved TO talk Of their home, and how
Ss"pPy Tho was with her needle preparing for
, ~,m tic comfort, and planning household ar
"seaents How proudly she exhibited the
"os' OF linen and the patchwork quilts which
'Vro 10 STITCHES but those by her own fingers
fI.a year her happiness lasted and then hi
Nlt her Tor distant cline. A, thew talked
over the days Of ABSENCE she would some
Vines say, And what if you should change
A9bert'' But tAis she did without q though,
'As' u could ever happen aud he would a,
'V,n have thought of suicide a. change.
Va year he would be back again and then
s1sy S0uld part no more forever. Every pleas
aH' baun, was visited, and every fond vow re
lated Her cup Of happiness was full and
s A.. many woeks, aye, moaths, no doubts or fesl
disturbed it.
hl' letters we're, q. first, tbs gushing spring,
,h 'm 'he OVERLOOKING fountain; but by degrees
80 became cord and restrained. Every ex
ft,e'son oil affection seemed forced, and she fell
~, contrast, before her mind could decide in
What IL existed.
a., vas an enort now 10 10 cheerful vet shs
Sau herself for dlstrus,. She looked within
own bosom, and said at is impossible tn.
,n"s Can change Again she wandered b,
Nv Dsooz and in the grove 10 rekind,e th,
sa'ory Of those solemn pledgta 20 revive III.
80 he Tone so dear ~ her and then Womb