Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-22
PSRg's CORNER.

IIONNAS1S
PART III.
Woo clouded Woster's troubled brow,
And anguish wrung bis breast,
while DER his fever'd throbbing heart,
Ills hands were tightly prest.
ooh wsuld to God with upturn'd eyes,
Believed with tears, he cried
THAT 10 my table, Alcohol,
Had ever been Denied
Not many days had pass'd, ere he
Entsr'd the murders cell,
When in an agony Of soul
On his sons neck he.fell.
Then rising. saw his bloated face,
And form, with sad amaze,
Who with a haggard, glazing eye,
Returned his fathers gaze.
ALAS, my son whence cAmeEou here
Oh Thomas tell me nllP
9Father, you ask answer-yOu
Have caused my early fall!
You gave the ~drug-that quench'd all hope,
And conscience swept away,
That loft my heart to low desire,
And base design, a prey.
ooh, for that innocence and love,
That warmed my youthful brow
Oh for that purity Of heart
But Il is vacant now -
Where demons love to dwell--as oWs
Select deserted domes,
Or wnhs the silent midpys b air
Argund demolished homes.
mad with the agony Of thirst
That drink could not assuage
I pierced a schoolmatO to the heart
Nor knew it in my ragel
Still do I thirst! oh give ms.drink
Give me the sparkling how'll
To drown the fearful images
That haunt my aching sOulP
Bow'd low with sorrow and regret,
And deeply stung with shame
Old Wester with paternal love,
Took to himself the blame.
He strove, nor left a means untrisd,
To change fate's stern decree
His wealth was spent-his al-ere ne,
The captive youth set free.
Once more at liberty, his son
Broke ev'ry good resolve,
Again at runs unhalloW'd shrine,
Ho did his soul involve.
Wilder, moro heartless than before
bore reckless he became;
And sunk his friends and parents low
In misery and shame.
In the old church yard, near the farm
Old Wester's grave was made,
And by his side, his aged wife,
And daughter fair, was laid.
Oh could my pen the painful task
Forever leave undone!
That they should pass to death in shame
Through him an only son
lie had one ~6riend-though parents both,
And sister, too, was dead
Who would have overlooked his crimes,
And back to duty led;
In vain upon the drunken youth
lie council did impart-
Who mad with rum, drew forth q blade,
And plunged it to his heart
A wild shrek rent the silent air!
Expiring, Arthur fell,
Groaning he cried may God forgive!
Ny erring friond farewell
Then did the torrors Of remorse,
The murders conscience rend;
There-stain'd with blood the wretch was fou
Above his PROSTATE friend.
Alas now sobered with alright,
While tears rolPd down, be cried
what have I done 2 You soon shall fnt
The incensed crowd replied.
'Thou wretch a sturdy yeoman cried,
. sInhuman, heartless 6end-
Behold him bleeding, who, alone,
On earth, would call you friend
And as the ploughman spoke he wept,
For in the bleeding youth,
He knew o noble heart was stilPd,
And gone-a soul Of truth.
With a wild yell, the drunkArd rush'd
Fiercely upon his foe,
And laid him PROSTATE at his feet,
Beneath a stunning blow.
Then breaking through the awe struck Gro
lie reached a neighboring wood
In vain the officers Of law
The fugitive pursued.
Among the mountain glsns and caves
The murderer was left;
BY conscience tortur'd-and his breast
Of oV'ry hope bereft.
Torn with the anguish Of remorse
His aching bosom-vile-
Was cheerd by no kind sisters words,
No mothers soothing smile.
Yet he, now outcast from the world,
Was once o noble youth
His eye beamed with the light of hope,
or innocence and truth.
Now hunted, loathed, despised Of ALL
The wretchod dupe Of Alcohol,
From man he shrank away.
Detested moro than savage boasts
That prowl about for prey!
Years a~fter--in a quiet vale
by rugged mountains bound,
Beside a murm'ring rivulet
His bleaching bones were found.
IT'S still believed, and hold as true,
By many = mountaineer,
That his shado-wandering through the
Yet mourns bis past career!
Normal College, November 1854.