Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-10
CHAPTER VI.

AnOCner sun naO 8f0ed the east ana Sned
its light on the world, bringing JOY and hap
piness to our emigrant family and their for
tunate rescuers. Some changes have taken
place, however, in the general appearance
Of things. Instead of the two small dwar6sh
looking beasts that drew the wagon the night
before, now two noble steeds proudly arched
their necks and trotted briskly on. One was
large black, and the other milk white, both
fully sixteen hands high, strong as lions, and
drew the wagon as twas nought. On the
front seat of the vehicle sits young man
holding the reins. Were he standing up
right, six feet could not reach the top Of bis
head. Large, we'll proportioned, handsome
and gentlemanly department, were the char
acteristic externals of this our Hero. His
companion was also young man, though not
quite SO young as the one first mentioned /;
may be he was twenty five. He had hang
ing at his saddle bow, heavy club, (the
manner the ancients used to carry their bat
tie axes) or we may as we'll call it a real reg,
ular shillalah, Irish fashion too, knowing fTCT17
the conversation carried on that the owner
of this formidable weapon is nothing more
nor less than gallant son of Erin, honest
looking, we'll formed, and withala handsome
fellow.
Murdant Melville was a young M. D..
born, raised, and educated in Philadelphia
and was exceedingly talented. He had risen
high, professionally, in the estimation of the
world, and was on the high way to fortune
when fate set against him for the first time
Going over to Ireland on a visit. short
while after he had received his Diploma he
was there taken very i'll. After rrotrac
ted attack Of disease, he began slowly to re
cover, when he walked out one evening, and
going down to small creek that was near
he laid down on large, moss-covered rock
directly over the water, and pulling out 6
paper, fell to reading. He read for some
time, but unwittingly yielded himself te
sleep, and unconsclously rolled off into thf
would undoubtedly have drowned, had i
not been for the timely aid afforded by !
brawny young Irishman who chanced to b'
passing.
That cold bath nearly cost our young
Escuapius his life. He fingered between
life and death for some time, and was at
tended faithfully throughout his illness b,
Mike O'FIanGigan, the young Irlshman VIII
saved him from drowning, whom he insisted
should be near him. At length, whel
health was restored, he set out for his native
land, accompanied by the faithful Mike
whom he had induced to go with him t
the land of freedom.
When he reached his natal place, h
found his practice taken from him, himsel
almost forgotten and entirely knocked out {
business and his heretofore overwhelmin!
practice. Then he thought the world Iii
tie rough and rugged, but he yielded wit
as good grace as he could to what Provdenc
had ordained. Cupid, however, had in Il
meantime drawn his tightly strung bow an
pierced bis heart with his well-directed shat
Murdant had, by chance, befriended tt
beautiful Alcora Fannuil (as we shall ca
her,) from the insults and rudeness of SON
prohigate young men about the city, al
had from that time conceived holy passio
hallowed love for the beautiful girl, al
E loved with love untarnished by base fee
ings. 'Tis needless to state that his arde
affection was reciprocated by the innoceI
t artless and loving Alcora. So it was dout
. narrowing to the young man to hear fro
Alcora, that her father was going to mo
, to the far west. Had thunderbolt strick
! poor Murdant, he could not have been me
= surprised for he intended shortly to we'd
: beautiful girl, and by his own exertions
: raise the Fannuils out Of the dregs. But
). now saw his philanthropie feelings and
! tents driven to the wind, and of cou
: grumbled little. However, he determln
E to follow his lady love and as we hs
o seen, arrived just in the nick of time, acco
panied by Mike, who had formed an Alta
q ment with Biddy, an honest, good natur
n Irish girl in the employ of Mrs. Fannl
who loved Michael with her whole soul