Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-01-05

flashing white in the soft moonbeams the
blue bright sky, with its hosts of brilliants
gazing calmly down upon the fields 81
flowers, and the heavy, glorious forests be,
yond, while Leila, his dark eyed bride, and
himself, should recline under some tall plan
tain, she murmuring her devotion, he be
tween, whilst unfolding to her grasping
mind the rich and magic stores of science,
gathering knowledge, himself, from her art
less questioning, as often the most learned
find new ideas from the words of babe
all this fitted through his mind. Did ever
love plan more delicate pastime?
Who knew but that fair form enshrined {
poet soul? Who could tell but beneath
that noble brow slept mine of genius, lof
ty thoughts lying there like pure and hidder
gold, patiently waiting the miner $ sturdy la
Dor to uncover its glittering beauty ?
3of Lsla YeIasquez Addshe was SO happy
so childlike, so confding.
Before now she had been distracted with
doubts, hoping and fearing alternately; she
loved the English stranger with a deep
abiding passion; with an intensity that al
most defed formality she would sit silent
in bis presence for hours. she was so happy
to be near him.
Many rare gift did Signor Velasquez be-
stow on his English son-in law after the cere
mony was performed, and Leila showered
gift after gift upon him, presenting him
with rich tracts Of land, and immense sums
in gold, so that he was indeed wealthy in bis
own right. He wanted not for occupation
his gigantic father-in-law, a man full six
foot SIX owned immense plantations; Her
man assisted him at times, SO that he felt by
no means in state Of bondage or depend
'ence. He sent presents to his good parents,
and received in reply their congratulations
and good wishes. Didn't tell you, young
scamp, wrote the queer old father, that
you would marry fortune? Keep tight
hold OF 1t my boy. ~ A!'f
What was now before Herman but pros
pect of ever increasing happiness, and indie
pendence for life? A beautiful bride,
home ofsplendor, leisure to pursue his favor
ite studies, friends in abundance, what was
wanting to ell up the measure of his Joy?
Alas the rash young mar soon discov-
cred what he more than suspected before,
that he had married woman for her wealth
and beauty, and-that was all Playful was
she all the day long-wild as merry elf
her black eyes sparklcd like the crystal rip
pie when touched by moonshine they we're
full of pleasant joyous light, but there was
no depth to them, no SOULFUL intelligence
shining through. She had little taste for
anEthinG hasida- SNORT sha-oaul uld-t.an..-
sleepily at the recital of the most sublime
poetry. She seemed to have no application
no force-no conception Of the beautiful.
The thunderbolts of science might fallat her
feet and she would only say, what ugly,
sbapeless things they are and turn from
them with disgust. Her mind was for the
present, empty and frivolous, willing to be
and to remain in ignorance. She needed
some powerful motive to arouse it; she had
hitherto been passive animal. And yet
one could not help loving her, for all, only
the thought would intrude, If it was only
charming, simple child, instead ola woman
grown, there would be some satisfaction in
admiration
A long time elapsed before the sanguine
young man could yield to the conviction thai
Evgaf i tt RttfFE tgEy 4aS9fss striving to teach he
and deplore the foolishness of marrying fo
money; for long before they were wed hi
heart had told him that perhaps there wa
not that self-sacri6cing love, in his feeling
towards her, that was in reality wife
claim-that her beauty, the glitter of pros
pective wealth blinded him to her menta
defects, when he knew that a mind such !;
his, craved kindred companion.
Day after day he passed in hopeless apathy
| Ii he strove to tutor his child wife, she woul
) fly off into passion, or shout wild laughtc
t --mocking his misery.
7 And yet she loved him with all the dew
7 ton of which her passionate nature was cap;
e BILE :; she could not bear him out Of her sight
i she would recline for hours while he W;
Il employed with his studies, feigning a siest
a but in reality watching and loving him.
e She was jealous of his slightest attentions
r, others, and she delighted in lavishing cost
Q gifts upon him.
i Thus had Herman, by one rash act. rendc
If ed himself unhappy, thus he lived daily
at splendid misery. Three years of his we
y ded life had passed. he had now attain
his majority, the age at which, in his o'
= country, he might have taken upon hims
at share in the responsibility Of governmel
k He was weary of his wife, hard word
say when we think Of the beautiful relati
:? in which welded pair should stand to {
IT. another; yes, he was tired Of her whin
d. instead of striving, like true man, to rec
Id cile himself to her odd humors, and patier
| ly bear her caprices, instead of winning hel
ot look with more pleasure upon his favor
ed pursuits, as in that time he might have do
od he hated her presence. Every day he
Ter came morose, and allowed himself to becc
. more and more unhappy. His fine, glow
lid complexion grew sallow, his beautiful e
| restless and hollow; bis young brow alre
nd bore marks of care.
er. He was ashamed of his wife he loo
gh on her brown, though richly tinted che
ck- with loathing her abundant tresses,
had at first seemed so soft and glossy,
ms peared now crisp and negro-ike--not
all they were really SO, for they we're very b
EEL