Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-16
Caro- Lee.

lands, / returned to the home Of my childhood
"a strangerl Mine had been life Of adven-
ture now upon the topmost verge of fortune s
wheels, anon, toiling and sweating beneath the
task of a cruel task-master-a chained slave,
had become wearied of life, sick of an exist.
ence which brought with il nothing but misery
(for, at best, my life was a miserable one,) and,
upon the impulse Of the moment, while tread
ing the gaily lined walks Of rich southern
city, determined to visit once more that little
spot on earth which | once gloried in calling
my home. Who can paint the pilgrims feel
ings as, after twenty years. absence, he again
visits the scenes and spots where, in childhood,
he spent, in sweetest happiness, the long sunny
days, and gamboled away the choicest hours Of
his existence? What pen can picture the emo
tons of that throbbing heart as it nears the
cherished goal, around which every recollec-
ton, dear to memory, clings as the ivy chngs
around the forest oak? Who can describe the
feelings upon beholding again those same old
hills! those broad, green meadows; the same
clear, babbing brook, and verdant plains {?
Tongue nor pen can paint the thrilling emo.
tons OF the lone wanderer as he thus returns,
as the prodigal, to his fathers home Yes,
determined to visit again my early home. As
| entered the little village feeling of deep
of change-solemn change and, this sad idea
Selling my mind, this rough, stout heart OF
mine wept bitter, bitter tears Of sorrow. am
not ashamed to own that wept, though many,
many years had fled since my eyes were moist
ened with tears. Who would not have wept
Those whom knew and loved were no longer
numbered with the living, or but a very few, at
most; their once cherished forms now silently
reposed in peace beneath the green sod of
yonder graveyard. The wide, shady streets,
which once echoed the merry laugh Of myself
and companions, now seemed, to me, deserted,
though scores of busy men and gaily attired
women still thronged them as Of yore. None
of these | knew, and | was stranger.
1t was June evening" beautiful, bright,
fragrant June evening, when laid down my
little pack in the village inn. The birds were
carolling forth their happy vesper songs; the
cowboys merry whistle echoed among the
pine-clad hills and verdant plains the herds
and focks were grazing in the green meadows,
when wendell my solitary way to the village
cemetery. When left my home, years ago,
but a few mounds were scattered here and there
over the beautiful retreat of the dead but
few monuments reared their snowy crests above
the foliage Of the shrubbery that surrounded
them. But what change! This spacious
yard was now all filed up with the narrow
homes of those who were once filled with life and
animation. / did not wander far before came
to the grave of one whom had tenderly loved
in youth. A plain marble slab, with an appro-
pirate inscription marked the resting place of
the once beautiful maiden. 1t was too much
for me my soul could bear to 60 no farther.
That maiden was once my playmate she was
my companion in all my childish sports, and
tored her. Her image had ever been present
with me in all my wanderings; her idolized
form, her face, radiant with sweetness had been
ever distinctly remembered, and to gaze upon
them once more was the reason of my return
ing to my home again. Nothing but this de-
sire-a wish that had ever haunted me-could
have induced me to return to that spot where
no friends now remained to welcome the wan
derer back. Fool that was for ever returning!
Immediately repaired to the inn, and there,
from the lips of an aged gentleman, learned
the sad history of her whom had so long and
tenderly loved. The story ran in this wise:
"Lovely and beautiful was that sainted maid
en-, George, and many were those who bowed
the knee of alteration before her queenly form.
She eclipsed in beauty and grace all other
maidens,
" As the sun rising doth obscure star
and she was tenderly beloved by all. None could
help loving her, for she was a friend to every
body; her presence dispelled the cares and
gloom from the howell Of want, as the morning
mists Hy before the rising SUM- she stood by the
sick couch and the bed of death, cheering and
animating the sufferers with hope and resigna-
ton; in short, George, she was our good angel,
and more worshipped by the poor villagers than
the God who made us, ! fear. Many suitors
duplicated for her hand, but upon all she
smiled a smile offriendship, and nothing m ore
she accepted none. Thus was Caro- Lee, and
thus passed the pleasant days of her youth.
"When she was about seventeen years of age,
her father, wealthy merchant in our village,
took into his service, as clerk, young man, a
fewyears Caro's senior, of very pleasing address,
and remarkable personal beauty. Henry Lee
land possessed every charm to win the conf
dence and love of a young and confding maid.
en-. He had spent several years in the city, in
which time his manners had received polish
and grace very pleasing to those who look for
fair exterior before looking for the real merit,
if any, which is to be found beneath Henry
had not been long in the employ of Mr.. Lee,
when he became acquainted with his beautiful
daughter, Caro-, and desire at their first meet
his breast to win the fair jewel.
"Mr. Lee was a business man in the strictest
sense Of the word, and paid much more atten-
ton to his day-books and legers than to the at.
fairs Of his family. He was sociable old fell
low, and as perfectly confding to those in his
employ, as to those who stood upon level with
him. thus his clerks and laborers were as often
invited to his house, and as politely treated.
when there, as the man of millions. Henry
was not slow to accept the invitation of Mr..
Lee, nor was he backward in improving the
freedom thus granted him. With his handsome
person and oily tongue, his bewitching smile
and graceful bearing, he was not long in max
ing favorable impression upon the tender
soul of Caro-. Every art of which he was mas
ter was practsed by him to win the esteem and
love of the pure-hearted girl, and at last he
was successful The tender cord was touched
the well-spring of her affections he found; he
possessed the key to future wealth and happi-
ness.
Il need not go through, George, with all the
particulars of their DAYS Of wooing; Of the on