Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-03
SCENE THIRD.

One more eager, almost fierce struggle
with allurng fortune, in which the wording
came near sleeping his soul in crime, and
then fruitless ambition died in his bosom.
My brother said WE'LL he murmured, as
a ray Of light fell suddenly on the darkness
Of his spirit; Contentment as better than
wealth. Dear brother Dear old home -!
Sweet Ellen ! All, why did [ leave you
Too late too late A cup, full Of the wine
Of life, was at my lips; but | turned my
head away, asked for more fiery and
exciting draught. How wildly comes before
me nov that parting scene! am looking
into my brothers face. | feel the tight
grasp ot his hand. His voice is in my ears.
Dear brother And his parting words, L
hear them now, even more earnestly than
when they were first spoken. Should tor
: tune cheat you with the apples OF Sodom,
return to your home again. Its doors will
ever be open, and its hearth-6res bright for
you as Of old All, do the fires still burn {!
: How many years have passed since l went
: forth And ELLEN! But dare not think
8 of her. 1t is too late-too late! Even if
! she be living and unchanged in her affections,
! can never lay this false heart at her feet.
: Her look OF love would smite me as with a
a whip of scorpions
= The step of time had fallen so lightly on
: the fowery path Of those to whom content
ment WAS higher boon than wealth, that
few footmarks were visible. Yet there had
C oeen changes in the old homestead. A:
;. the smiling years went by, each, as it looked
= in at the cottage window, saw the home
circle widening, or new beauty crownin9
the angel brows Of happy children. M
"a thorn in his side had Roberts gentle wifi
I, proved. As time passed on, closer and close
4 was she drawn to his bosom yet never ;
~ point had pierced him. Their home was
70 type Of paradise.
1t is near the close Of summer day.
q The evening meal is spread, and they ar
10 about gathering around the table, when
h stranger enters. His words are vague an
- brief his manner singular, his air sllghtl
its mysterious. Furtiye, yet eager lances G
,st from face to face.
nm Are these all your children! he ask
es surprise and admiration muglingin his tone
ON All ours. And, thank God. the Gttl
rer nOcK Is yet unOroken.
her The stranger averts his face. Heis d
is turbed by emotions that it is impossible
tb- conceal.
+, 'Contentment is better than wealth.
nd murmurs. oh that had earlier comp
oso hended this truth !
f,r The words were not ment for others; b
A. The utterance has been too distinct. Th
,or have reached the ears Of Robert, who
for stantly recognizes in the stranger his Io1
de- wandering, long mourned brother.
.yor William =
dav The stranger is on his feet. A momt
eile or two the brothers stand gazing at Ell
low other, then tenderly embrace.
he William ?
n 10 How the stranger starts and trembl
to He had not seen, in the quiet maiden, m
ons, ing among and ministering to the child
roar so unobtrusyely, the one he had par
his from years before-the. one to whom he
and been so false. Bat her voice has start
10 his ears with the familiar tones of yesterd
/ the 'ElenP Here is an instant oblivion
h Of all the intervening years. He has lea
her back over the gloomy gulf, and stands
as he stood ere ambition and lust for .
at IS lured him away from The side Of bis FRS.