Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-09-13

For the Gazette
\ REMEMBRANCE.
By Undine.
81 see thee still
Remembrance faithful to her trust,
Calls thee in beauty from the dGst.p


Sweet May Forrest. Methipks see cen
now. her fairy form fitting before my view,
With grace received from Natures own teach
ings, or listen to the bird like melody of Der
voice, gushing like the rich flow of some wood
land stream, let from the deep fountain oelight
and love in her pure, young heart. Long
years have sped since last she dwell. Oh earth,
yet still her memory, fadcless as Amaranthiuo
flowers, liye.h in our treasured records of TIE
past.
| pgelliag in orc Of cur sweet little villages,
She childhood and youth of May Forrest was
passed in almost total seclusion from the gay
world. 4 fathers loving guardianship she
had never known, nor yet mothers price
less affection for the one had found a grave,
ere her infancy was spent, 'aeath ocean S
Foaming tide and the other had scarce pressed
her lips to her darling's velvet cheek, before
her spirit sought its home 10 Heaven. But
true aud loving friends had shielded the liz
tie orphan from lile's chilling blasts, and tho
as she grew in years, and knowledge: cloud
would sometimes rest on her fair brow, as she
thought Of those to whom she owed her being,
yet the shadow was but transtory, and with
returning JOY and gladness, would ascend uu-
spoken gratitude to Heaven for It's mauv bless
lngs Beauty's rarcst gifts were hers. bu.
she knew 1t not for Ter village friends were
ignorant Of fattory, and though they spoke
sometimes among themselves Of her loyeliness
and still oftener of her sweet aud gentle die.
position, yet they never thought Of whisper
ing their words of admiration in her car
And May never bestowed one thought on the
subject true, she had read wondrous tales
III sundry stray volumes ofold ronlances deep
stored in some forgotten nook Of the OLD farm
house, tales of fair danes and lovely maidens,
ofgallant cavaliers vowing true love on bended
knee, and gentle trOubadouys pouring their
hearts emotions, in strains Of melodious song,
in tue lady's bower while the gentle moon.
beams flung silver mantle DER their kneeling
forms, and the soft. signing zephyr came whis-
pering through the empowering vines. and
laded its wings with the breathing incense Of
many fragrant blossom and though she
felt the thrilling witchery of these records Of
chivalry and the roam Imagination of youth
pictured them in glowing tints. yet she never
thought of appropriating TO herself the roman
tic legends, Oh, no they seemed rather to
her fancy, like the pictures Of another cline,
and different CREATION.
Thus was May, at tue age Of sixteen, in
noeent, pure, gulleless, with fond, confding
heart, yet ever sensitive to the sufferings of
others, and sweet, aifectionate disposition,
that never failed to bring with it, happy in
auence. 1t was at this period that she left, /
for the first time, her secluded home, and |
caught glimpse of the gay world A dis
tant relative invited her to pass the winter
menths at his residence, aud thithcr she went
accompanied by the prayers and blessings of
her kind Hearted friends, and with her young
heart glowing at the novel and brilliant pic
lure spread before her. In tie circle to which
she was now introduced. her beauty and
charming simplicity won all hearts, and were
: not for ono true friend, we cannot say
what the effect of the homage aud adultatiou
would baye been. But happily Walter Har-
court was one, who could understand and
appreciate a mind and heart like hers.
much valued friend of the relative with whom
May was staying, be saw almost daily the