Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-02-16

AA'fN i" 49, ~ w NpN0hI VI OoL
In high ambition, or u thirst of greatness
Tis second life, it grows into the soul,
Warns every vein, and beats in every pulse"
ADDIsoS's CATO.
My name is James Fonvalc, and l was
born and educated in the city of Raleigh. /
was an only child. My mother died when l
was but n few days old and at the age Of
fourteen | had the misfortune to lose my faith
or also. Ofcourse | was the sole heir to his
estate, which consisted principally in money,
amounting to twelve thousand dollars. Be
sides this, however, there were six or seven
slaves, and some other personal property. A
gentleman ofmy native city, u former partner
of my father in the mercantile business, was
appointed my guardian. | attended school
until | was eighteen, when Mr.. NJ, my
guardian, took me into his store as o clerk.
/ was not a boy Of a bad heart, but having
mover known a mothers softening influence
in tanning and directing the developments Of
my nature, | was somewhat naughty and self
willed.
At the ago Of twenty | first saw Ellen Sum
merell. Her father was a member of the
Legislature from Mecklenburg county, and
his daughter accompanied him to Raleigh
She was then in her seventceth year, and her
fathers reputed wealth, added to her own
surprising personal charms, drew around
her many admirers. Among these | yielded
to none in my devotions and | soon discov-
cred that | was not an unwelcome attendant.
Her mind was well cultivated, and we read
much together, took long walks through the
solemn forest of oaks that then environed the
city and before the close of the session of
the Legislature i was satisfied that | had
found a place in her heart. No confession OF
love was made, no vows were uttered but
A.. ,,~,-,,Nt,, ,,n,rOnI,oIl, 1a.-,,o IL
heart-language oflove was understood by both
of us, and each felt happy in the others warm
affection.
But the Legislature closed its session and
Ellen returned home with her father. I had
obtained her consent to write to her, and ]
did so and received letters from her also.-
Our correspondence continued until | had ar
rived at my majority, and then determined
to visit her.
/ went to my guardian for q settlement
and he enquired what | was going to do.
told him l was going West to purchase land
lie said my money was safely invested an
was drawing interest, and advised me to tax
only five hundred dollars, go and look me on
land, purchase it, and return and get my mon
ey to pay for it. l concluded to DO 50, aa.
he paid me over the five hundred dollars.
Mounted upon q superb horse, with fv
hundred dollars in my pocket, / started Yves
/ had some relatives living at Charlotte, an
thither | won't. As you may well suppose
bocamea frequent visitor at Mr.. Summcrelpi
Indeed | could not stay away. If Ellen Sun
morell had seemed n beautiful flower, surpa
sing all others in the thronged city, she no
appeared much fairer and more attractive
her quiet country home. The light of ha,
piness, Of a heart which had never known Il
corroding cares Of life, cleaned in her FL
blue eyes. Purity was throned in her bosoI
and her soul was all love and tenderness.
her presence | felt suprcmely blest, and whC
separated from her there was Il MEMBERSHIPS
ness, an aching void, nothing but her pre-
ence could satisfy.
But | must not dwell here. A few wee
passed by and vows oflove were uttered /
tween us. Mr.. Summerell was a cold, prou
naughty man, but he know my fortune w
considerable, and yielded his consent to o
marriage. In short, after q lapse of 70
months Ellen and | were married. NY fat
e~r-in-law gave me n good tract Of land a
several negroes, and we moved to our M
home, whore three months moro fed by
wings Of love. Alas we were too happy
this earth but littlo did | think the aerpc
was coiling about my heart which W
10 blast forever the peace Of my wifeand II
der me a vile and loathsome thing. But
know not ourselves until time and trial ha
proved us.