Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-01-26

Children's Qurrcl-Tho Reproach-The Deserted
Wiie-Confessions-The Popular Man-Grief-
The Father and Daughter-Horace Switzerland
-Love-The Strangers-The Avenger
The groves of the West Indies were laden
with spices the air, redolent of perfume,
swayed the high palmslighty with its bland
est touch the magnolia, and no less beauti-
ful cactus pink, cleaned amid tall spikes of
wavy, golden and purple blossoms, that lined
the long borders Of the orange groves.
Within fairy-like enclosure, where the
boughs OF young trees had been interlaced at
the top, two children sat side by side, appa-
rently conversing in somewhat angry mood.
One was magniGcently beautiful, with
large, dreamy, southern eyes, and dark but
clear and wildly transparent complexion !;
the other was plain, and, to tell the truth,
illnatured ; but the comrlacent airs of the
little queen had evidently given her some
cause for her disafTection.
At length the latter exclaimed, looking
somewhat scornfully at her companion, |
can tell you, Miss Rosa, you are no better
than other folks SO you need not look so
naughty
III look just as naughty as I please, and
III be as proud as | please retortcd the
high-spirited child. You know you're mad
because your hair is short and straight, and
mine IS long and curey Another thing
you're mad at--because [ said l meant to
be great lady one of these days, and 90 to
England and you are jealous because eve
rybody calls me little beauty and you
know your mamma is not so rich as mine,
and can't give you such pretty things So,
loosening her abundant tresses, the little
hour began fastening several Jewels among
the shining locks, while her companion look
ed on in undisguised envy.
say you're no better than other folks
and indeed not half so good,' muttered the
angry girl, tossing her head contemptuouslv +:
then, piqued at the provoking calmness of
the other, she continued My papa is a
good man, and your papa IS wicked man
indeed you hav mt got any papa
The rich crimson spread over the face OF
the impetuous beauty; she stamped her
foot with passion, let fall her flowing tresses,
and turning dedanty 10 her little compan.
ion, almost screamed, You are a saucy girl
say have papa good papa, too-a.
way in England. My mamma has got hi.
likeness, that she kisses every day and he
Is an English gentlcman-ag good deal hand
somer than your papa ever was.
Il know something said the other, Will
n mysterious air, and meaning look. 8
know something about your mamma ant
your papa
What do you know 2
%! I'm not to tell |; it's a very great SC
cret'
You know anythingY retorted Rosa, sic
nifcanty; 'you-a duncer
Am ! !! shouted the child, with unre
strained aGger; then I'll tell YOU what
know, and what every one knew long ago,
expect. | heard my mother say that YOU
father ran away and left your mamma, be
cause she was Creole-an ugly, blac
Creole-and so are YOU
All the blood receded from Rosa's fa
young face; her great, wild eyes, so gazelIC
like before, were awfully dstended with pas
sion. With upifted hand she bounded tC
wards her companion, intent upon summar
vengeance; but the latter made good her rc
treat, and fled on the wings of fear to he
homo.
The poor, irsuied child sank, ouiverin
like leaf, upon the ground. Her soul ha
been outraged in its tenderest part, for 81
loved her mother with almost an idolizing a
fiction; and she had been taught by th
poor, injured creature to reverence the men
ory Of her father, though she knew not
he still loved her, set fondly hoped and Dire
med he would come back again.
She covered her hot, glowing face wi
her hands, aud sobbed AMI sobbcd till 81
could scarcely draw her breath for wea
ness then slowly moving from the pref
playground, she crept with a languid st
towards home.
On long, low couch of azure hanging
studded with silver stars, beautiful mi
ron rested, clad in gauze that fell in wi
folds over her rounded form. Her raw
hair was grotesqueIy braided, but arrang
beautifully upon her temples. forming a Gro,
for her classic brow, and firmly flstcn
with diamond pins. A book had fallen fr5
her listless hand, and she sat DREAM
watching the mute slaves, who, with bror
ed faces and lazy motions, piled the hu
wooden cooler that hung suspended fro
the ceiling, cleaving the scented air and d
fusing delightful coolness over the apa
ment.
Suddenly low means and sitting sobs We
heard; the lovely matron, alarmed, hast
sprang from her couch and hurried into (
adjoining apartment, where her child, co
pletely exhausted, had thrown herself up
tho floor.
The fond creature snatched her little c
to her bosom, bore her to the lounge, h
self half dead with fright, aud with kis
and caresses strove to soothe the unhar
child.
What can have happened she asked
tones Of terror; are you hurt, Rosa
you frightened tell me, my child | G
not bear to see you suffer thus
The child began again to SOC passiona
y, then, frightened by her mothers glanC