The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-02-22

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ser shall!I fs5sst, ,ksss ~
- strsS (.4 terrible event, which has
y, ,sssd sns ;ndeibiy upon my soul the memory
oI Ina: ',as honrs apd;not unfrequently dlsturbs
mlu-Siu.s ,s 7 hsy often thought it tsinguar,
my dtean.s eain a,fhe close of the year the
tSIt s,li and dreay December-that these recollec,
9ons force demselres upon me with a degree OF
eons s '0 Tmust be something in the association
ns.s.eason .s with the incident. Whatever 1t
.Se, ol u it is that something which impels ME at
.I moment to look back with memory fresh
md strong to that fearful night, and relate its
story. -
1t was the night of the thirty-frst Of Decem-
her. There was to be grand ball at t: y, a
village eleven miles from l.: youth and
pleasure meeting to dance at the funeral OF the
old wear. and to welcome with hilarious mlrth
the birth of the new.
A considerable party ofyoung people in -,
early made preparations to attend TINS oaii' 1
was one of the company OF SIX gel.aenen,as
bows advanced in theirtee like to be called
who chartered large sleigh to be drawn ,ey
four srlendid black horses, and to be driven by
the celebrated horse. tanner, F.; So we'll known
in L.. and who may be still living there,)
whose services we considered ourselves fortunate
in having secured.
1t was lust seven o'clock in theeveRing, when
F. having faithfully picked up our party in
different parts of the village, we set out from
l.. The air was bitter cold; the glowing
consultations twinkled with unsurpassed brlllan,
cy in the clear, frosty sky; the crisp cracked
and shrieked beneath the hoots of the horses and
the runners of the sleigh; and the chime OF the
bells filled the air.
We were a merry party; and on setting out,
everv heart beat high in joyful unison with the
chime of the bells. Well provided with straw
and abufaloes," we defed the cold, and only
laughed the louder when we felt the frost sp'rt
tingiing in our fingers and toes, and malc'ously
attacking our faces. -,
Having been disappointed in not being able
to obtain for companion the young queen OF
NV heart-who had cruelty engaged herself for
another scene of pleasure, although she knew
expected her to 60 with me to the ball, l was
the abachelor" of the company; all my COM
panions being provided with partners To con-
ceaI the aching void 10 my heart assumed an
exceeding gaiety, and declared myself happy IN
INV liberty, since it afforded me an opportunity
to try my skill in driving four in hand. r
accommodated me with the reigns, and used
them so as to command his appreciation, and at
the same time to excite emulation in the hearts
of one or two of my companions.
When I was too cold to enjoy driving any
longer crept into the body Of the sleigh, in the
midst of the buffaloes and straw which envelop
ed the party: and William c. proposed to
take my place. ., -,
say, in a beseeching voice
This was Lizzie Lore-who will not blush now
to see her name written in full. With the eXceP-
ton of my perfdious Mary looked upon Lizzie
as the most charming girl in our village. She
was then sixteen tall, slender, gracefu-in
short, the most perfect lily ever behed My
Mary was rose. Had | preferred lilies to roses,
l might have preferred Lizzie to Mary. AS 1t
was, l thought her without an equal in beauty
and grace-with one exception.
William was Lzze's beau. They were quite
devoted to each other. and quarrelled often
enough for their friends to suppose there was
great deal of Jealous love on both sides. They
had some sort Of misunderstanding that evening.
William had been somewhat too attentive 70
some other fair one; ai Lizzie's feelings had
been hurt.
/. might have been as much spite as emula-
ton Of my driving, which prompted William TO
volunteer to take the reins.
As l said before, Lizzie begged him not to
change his seat. He was by her side of course.
"Why not 2" he asked.
aOh!' said Lizzie, 81 am so cold! But 60 II
YOU like" she added in trembling voice.
Isuppose William was ashamed then to yield.
"Are you cold 7" he asked, somewhat earnest
ly. But he added quickly, in gay tone, allu'
ding to myself
aWel., Fred will keep you warm! He under
stands it Ha! ha! do your duty, Fred"
And William took his seat with the driver.
set down by Lizzie's side. Too gallant to al
low Williams suggestions to pass without taking
advantage Of it, l let my arm gently glide around
the Lily. She as gently repulsed me; and
heaving sigh, l took care Of my unruly arm. |
was sorry had not put it where it belonged at
first. Lizzie was nevertheless inclined to flirt
| tried to talk with her without meeting with
much encouragement towards sociabity; and
was not at all sorry when William finally return
ed to take his seat.
I heard him whisper to Lizzie; but she an
swered him very briefly. thought she must be
very angry with him to be so silent.
aAre you cold now!" he asked.
"Not now"
"Whv don't you talk then!"
a. don't feel like talking" answered Lizzie in
a low tone.