Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-06-08

to hide her bushes, and at length ripenlng into
the complete development of charming woman,
the cynosure ofmany wistful eyes, and almost the
idol Of my own Fancy, in spite Of my control,
flies forward through the intervening years, to one
day of mingled pleasure and embarrassment, when
for the first time spurred up my venerable horse
by Miss Mary's side, and in that delightful proX
unity threaded with her the winding forest road
that leads to her mother residence. The widow
was on intimate terms with my own family, and
knew the reception would be sufficiently polite
and kind but as my galantry was quite new and
awkward, unexpected by either party, and gave
indication of very serious motive, found it i'm
possible at first either to behave with ease to my
self or to interest my fair companion. The ride
was therefore very sober and solemn pilgrimage
to shrine which had long intended to visit
Suffice it to say, however, to avoid a,tedous cpl
sode, that reached it at last, and once seated In
that quiet circle of gentle and Christian friends,
where the unaffected simplicity of the pious mo-
ther and lovely daughter made the intercourse as
easy as it was fascinating, soon forgot my diff
cuties and apprehensions, and consented very
willingly to remain to tea. The ride home that
night through tho still woods was season OF po-
etical and romantic delight. | was alone in the
forest The moon was up and at the full, render
ING the path perfectly clear, and dappllng the
brown earth with the beautiful mosaic of the shad-
ows of the trees and bushes. ! thought the moon
never swan in her blue ocean more maJestcally.
The few apparent stars seemed to drop liquid
light, and the night air came footing over me,
with an influence indescrbably sweet. lhe rea-
son was that came away ten times more IN love
and more in hope of one day reposing In terres-
trial Paradise.
What intruders these thoughts of love and
courtship are Here they have led me off to the
distance of some wears from the scene of my earll-
er experiences Let me see! We were in the
church. listening as well as warm summer after
noon would permit to serious discourse from the
reverend pastor. But we will not detain the con-
oreraton. The last prayer has been offered up
and the doxology has been sung. The preachers
venerable hands are uplfted in the solemn act of
benedicton, and the dismsson of the assembly
Immediately ensues. The various families dis
perse rapidly through the grove and another ami
mating scene is visible as the equestrian parties,
in double file, move off at pace considerably
quckened by the revived appetites of their horses.
The sharp smack of the drivers whip, and the
BRIGHT pleam of the wheels in the descending sun,
announce the departure of one carriage after an
other. and the wagons and carts bring upthe rear.
| Now is the time for the juvenile criticism, at
least for observation upon the various persons in
the cavalcade travelling in the same direction with
ourselves. This was always propensity which
could not we'll resist. The vehicles, the horses,
the drivers, afforded me constant subjects for ru-
mination, and many good sermon has been lost
in the vortex of entertaining thoughts.
As look back to my latest associations with
the dear old church in the woods, cannot OF
course leave unnoticed the last occasion on which
it was my privilege to visit it. II was my Mary,
and she alone, whose presence preserved me from
bitter parting from its hallowed precincts
There rises no rallied altar within its walls, no
deep toned organ ever sweled beneath its roof,
but still cannot but feel that it was fit sanctua
ry for bridal. when Mary and |, accompanied by
a few friends, repaired 10 it one fine morning in
June TO repeat our mutual vows to our pastor and
receive his last benedicton. If ever the birds
sano sweetly in church-y or the breath OF
early summer passed softly and perfumed through
consecrated grove, it seems to me it must have
| been that day But there was melancholy re-
Election mingled with the rapture Of consummated
hope. knew | was leaving beloved spot, in
all probability forever and both its living and in
animate features excited an interest in me then
which they had never done before. The atfec-
tionate voice of The man of God as he pressed his
last iniunctous upon us both, caused my heart
strings to vbrate most tendery, and rode away
| from the old church with my treasure at my side
satisfied to the full. yet vsibly sad from the rup-
ture of ties which habit had long woven around
nv heart.