Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-08
gaSts' Department.
Rritsn for the Spirit ofdhs Age Raleigh,
FRIENDSHIPS TRIUMPHS.
by LoRA.
tcoScLrDED PRoH Our LAsr,l
The AnaHer.

DHAR MARYs-t really had to read ysNr letter
over time aud again, before I could admit the fact
that II was my old friend who was thus deliberately
planning an elopcment frOm An only and a devoted
parent / thought over tho CONVEX atoms to which
vou allude-Ir reviewed all the scenes through which
We had passed tegether-I even recalled the last
night Of eur social intercourse and your fears then
expressed as 10 hnsty conduct-and then reeog-
ntzed moro forcibly than ever the full power Of that
mysterious affection which could, for a moment,
make you forget the suspicious you entertained Of
your strength and your consequent determination
70 keep a strict guard least they should be verified
by the acendancy Of passion and principle. 1 say,
for the moment, my dear girl for from the actual
commission Of such a sin / feel and know yea will
DO saved. AAd oh! how much that staple word
may onbraea Saved perhaps from acaakeTing re-
gtoL which would blast each green aRd beautiful
thing In your hearts brightest bower-sSved from
tho transgression Of one OF Gods positive laws
saved from the disbust which even yeur husband
In time might enteriaiH for so faithtess = daughter
or from tho rejection that you had hung yourself
as a clog GhoEt tho wihglets now beiEg plumed for
a flight te . high and honorable distinction. Oh
no, Mary my SWn dear friend; yea cannot, rfH
net de this thing. A charmed Voice was singing
its fatal ssRg in your ear then . deceitful syren
whe had no power 70 break the ferce Of the fall was
Turing you 10 the verge ola steep and frightful pre-
: cipice. Mrenthnd4 moses
Which chung 70 lis craggy outlines, bathed in the
brilliant glare ETA nsoRtt4o sun, yet none the less
surely o eThnnRthE q chGEm trnugnb win disaster
And rain aud woe Tree, y0u have claims which 1
cannot fail t. recogssze5 you have feelings into
which I canH0t but enter, for / too have plight0d
nay gidish troth where my hearts best affections are
concentrated; but yoar fathers demands are still
stronger and more Imperative than yours. His are
tho claims Of age, Of experience, Of affection sane
toned by that law, which commands without either
an expressed erSmplied condition, to Honor father
and mother The cloud must pass away the af-
lection he has manifested for your botrothed, the
.nwnutky ~ v~TpH trtth wwhsoh he lsgt.I -. .v~ nu-
words and repronches, all go to prove to my mind
that no gerry storm fOrbidding spirit stands to bar
tho door Of his heart against your entrance and his.
You are young, Mary, and long as the time may
seem to you now, whom years have gathered thick
aud fast about your brow, j can safely say you
would look back with no sensation Of regret to two
or three given even to a Fathers whims. / know
your loving heart too well, my dear girl, to suppose
any other affection, however engrossing, could
bring you perfect peace and thorough happiness if
obtained at tho sacrifice Of a parents love. You
would be perpctually dwelling on his long lonely
life, which had boen uncheered save by g deep and
abiding interest in the welfare Of his children and
tho fond anticipation oftheir happiness and love.
You would picture him sick and alone, signing for
yOur hand 10 battle his fcyored brow, to smooth his
ruled pillow, TO administer the refreshing draught,
and ali mere than all, IL he should pass away
from earth win an unrelenting heart on account Of
your disobedienoe, how you would charge yourself
with tho agonized thought, that your conduct had
puuEeu tue DMch uEOp IN uS Soul, thk0uEh WHICH
his lecks bad grown silvery white, his form bent,
his step feeble until he had sunk into a welcome
grave. Ills conduct is strange, I admit, very
strange and inexplicable bat he is your parent,
your only living one still, and has boon too devoted,
too exclusive in his affection, for you to forget the
past, in the fact that almost for tho first time in
your life he has interposed a barrier to your owl
arrangements,
As n child, do not resent this Interference becaust
you cannot fathom its origin, but let your love b.
deeper and more manifest than ever and oh
conjure you, do not leave him thus do net bias
him ia his old age With this iRgrRtitude do no
sere and Withcr his life's hopes by this dreadful act
Your lover may indeed rail Mt FIRST, and denoune
the love you bear him us of too secondary a char
Rcter but as passion declines and the calmer voic
and softer radiance of reason floats through HI
soul, ho will recognize the truth Of your plea aNdVal
ne more deeply than ever tho heart that moves dow
the tumultuOus stream Of time obedient to the han
of principe alone. Pause and ponder we'll, dea
dear Mary, that In after years you may not have
look back upon the ordeal through which you al
now passing with a sore heart and q gush Of bite
burning tears,
Your pledge ring is upon my finger, dearest, an
IL lights up and sparklos beneath the sun ray tn;
necks il, as II to assure me that my words shall n
fall on n needless ear. 1t has been of such serviC
20 me; [ have looked upon it when the clouds
doubt wore gathering DER ny sky, and It's associi
tons never fail to send mo to that source which ca
not be emptied, and that fountain Of strength whiC
can never dry up. Go to that Fountain head
humble sincerity, with your peculiar troubles, II
dear girl and may the God Of all truth aid al
direct you In this and every other step thr ugh lif
Is the earnest prayer Of your Song tried friend,
ATIcu CV ApB