Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-01-18
VOL. v.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE
Amelia-A Leaf from Life.


yet quiet expression, which nothing else.in
life can give, but a happy love. There is
no longer the restlessness of her whose affec-
tions are still wandering about, and find no
resting place. There may be vet thousand
plans for her TO make-she may be still TO-
norant Of the place Of her future home-she
may anticipate weary journey and wander
ing life but there is no sleepless anxiety or
troubled thought-her heart has found
home
The admiring homage Of thousands would
not row add one CLEAN to her smile-one
glance alone can light it with unwonted
brightness. No skiIlful physiognomist need
falter a moment in reading the countenance
Of true-hearted woman. Amid all the
lights and shadows, there is one pure soft
ened ray, which nothing else can kindle in
the eye Of the betrothed Not less pure,
but moro brilliant, is that of the welded
wife, but with none of the sparkling flashes
of the coquette
Never was this more perceptible than in
Amelia. Hers had never been feeting
heart, nor spirit disturbed by every pass
ing breeze. If any censure had been spoken
concerning her, it would have been that she
had not sufficient animation, and many would
have seen in her few attractions.
1t was in her home and at the freside that
she must be seen, to be appreciated. She
was not one Of the ornaments of society; for
she mingled not with the world, and her
great reserve and extreme sensibility deferred
her from active interest in others. 1t was
. OOl, Ill;
tEer cEaFRUtefy J4eT'ors''ti1ng e1enent
was sweetness and [ did not know her
= with the intimacy of sweet communion, till
! grief had entered her bosom, and was per-
: forming with fJelity the silent work Of the
; destroyer.
5 Day by day, saw her happy, and I
knew what all the world knew then, shat
+ she was engaged to Robert s.; and al
: who knew him said he was a noble high min
del man, worthy of Amelia. He had rot
. wealth, but the ambition and energy which
S insure the attainment of it. He was intel
}, lectual, intelligent, and fascinating; and many
, and warm were the congratulations they re-
+ cei,cd, as the bright prospect opened before
j. them.
: How often have l found her reading a
e letter, and from whom can it be 2" would
: whisper archly but had only that BEAM
il ing smile for answer, as she would lift the
o lid Of beautiful papier mache box-his gift
:, and there were a dozen, among which this
n would be deposited, and then she quickly
= turned the key, lest they should be desecra-
r ted by even look from Indifferent eyes.
l. She had a Bible which he gave her, too
il and it was always lying on the little table
/ by her bedside, to read the last thing before
t she shut her eyes to dream of him, and the
y first to meet them in the morning.
1T How she loved TO talk of their home, and
N how happy she was with her needle prepar
or ing for domestic comfort and planning house
le hold arrangements. How proudly she ex
lie hibited the chest of linen and the patch
lg work in quilts, which were nostitches bu
es those by her owN fingers.
i'll For year her happiness lasted, and ther
n he left her for distant cline. As the,
W. talked over the "days of absence" she woul,
ms sometimes say, And what if you shoul,
he change, Robert? But this she did withou
IT. thought that it could ever happen; and h
in would as soon have thought of suicide a
iet change.
he In year he would be back again, AM
a. then they would part no more forever Ev
,el cry pleasant haunt was visited and ever
Ter fond VOW repeated. Her cup of happines
was full; and for many weeks, aye, months
=, no doubt or fear disturbed it.
lis His letters were, at first, the gushin
! y springs from the overfowing fountain; bl
h., loc.r,or ,bo,, booor,o ooIJ opl
ow Every expression of affection seemed force
the and she felt the contrast, before her niu
the could decide in what it existed.
We 1t was an effort now to be cheerful; "
dly she child herself for distrust. She locke
art within her own bosom, and said, 1t is in
hit possible the heart can change Again 81
-er, wandered by the brook and in the grove,
a rekindle the memory of those solemn pledge
ere to revive the look, the tone, so dear to he
nay and then would hope spring up again, al
i she would feel sure that time would info
rim the mystery, and all would be rght-th
is, as her heart wished.
Shall we follow him to those sunny DO
ers? 1t is possible for US, though impossil
: Cat for her. l heard it from his lips, and ther
fore it must be true.
He is not alone; there is one who tai
ew- and walks and reads with him, and wi
ma whom he thinks it no harm to talk, to wa
ac- and read for she only wishes for intellectr
orts companionshp. Her weeds, which are We
m becoming, contrast strikingly with her Dc
TIL, cate complexion; but he has not learned
tam read those dark eyes, or he would see son
nce' thing more than intellect in their unhallow
the gances. She knows he has left his he
with far away in northern CLINE, and talks
'clal him freely Of his beloved one, and also of
Ially own desola,ion-her heart is in the grave
Vhat All, man is not alone the seducer-,
ents, man is not alone the victim
aced He has fallen; but her family are amc
ana the proud and istocratic-disgrace IN
lrlst' not fall on them. He has sinned and wrong
soma and must make the only reparation now
tam to redeem the daughter of the house from
nap fanny!
up For Amelia, there was no longer the
many tence of affection; the letters ceased,
aeier without explanation; and at length h
'slng' died; but love could only cease with life
ram No censure passed her lips, and no murr
nner' was heard from her sinking spirit.
put Day by day the bloom faded from
from cheeks, and sorrow was written upon
Zee brow. | knew she would die for her n
was not one that could be diverted by am
A. ment, or find employment by concentra