The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-03-29
The Beautiful Maniac.

''The fire that on my bosom preys,
Is lone some volcanic isle,
No torch is kindled a, its blaze
funeral pale!"
In the morning train from Petersburg,
there was lady closely yelled, in the same
car with ourselves. She was dressed in the
purest white, wore gold bracelets, and evl-
den,ly belonged to the higher circles of
society. Her figure was delicate, but we'll
developed, and exquisitely symmetrical;
and when she occasionally drew aside her
richly embroidered veil. the glimpse Of the
features which the behoder obtained, sat
isfed him Of her extreme loveliness. Be-
side her sat gentleman in deep mourn
ing, who watched over her with unusual
solcitude. and several times when she at,
tempted to rise. he excited the curiosity Of
ali the passengers by OBTAINING her in her
seat.
Outside the cars all was confusion. pas
sengers looking to baggage. porters run
ming, cabmen cursing. and all the usual
hurry and hustle attending the departure
of train. One shrill warning whistle
from the huge engine, and we moved slow
y away.
At the first motion Of the car, the lady
in white started 10 her feet with one heart
rending scream. and her bonnet falling off,
disclosed the most lovely features we ever
contemplated. Her raven tresses fell over
her shoulders in graceful. disorder, and
clasping her hands in prayer, she turned
her dark eyes to heaven! What agony
was in that look! What beauty. too, wha,
heavenly beauty. had not so much of mis-.
cry been stamped upon it. Alas! that one
glance told melancholy tale.
..--she was changed
As by the sickness of a soul; her mind
Had wandered from its dwelling, and her eyes
They had not their own lustre, but the look
Which is not of the earth, she was become
The queen of a fantastic realm; her. thoughts, q
Were combinations of disjointed things.
And forms. impalpable and unperceived I:
OF Others sight, familiar were to her."
Her brother, the gentleman in black,
was unremitting in his efforts to soothe her
spirit He led her back to her seat; bu.
her hair was still unbound, and her beauty
unveiled. The oars ratified on, and the
passengers in groups resumed the conver-
sation. Suddenly wild melody arose;
it was the beautiful maniac's voice, rich.
full, and imi,able. Her hands were eros
sed on her bosom, and she waved her body
as she sung with touching pathos-
She is far from the land where her young hero
sleeps,
And lovers are'aroupd her signing.
But coldly She turns from their gaze and weeps,
For her heart in his giave is lying. .s.as y
"She sings the wild songs of her dear native
plains,
Every note which he loved awaking-
Ah little they think, Who delight in her strains
How the heart of the'minstrel is breaking!
Her brother was unnamed, and he wepi
as only man can weep. The air changed
and She continued
elias sorrow thy younger days shaded
AS clouds o'er the morning fleet!
Too fast have those young days faded,
That even in sorrow were sweet!
| II thus the unkind world wither
Each feeling that once was dear;
Come child of misfortune! come hither,
| I'll weep with thee, tear for tear
She then sung fragment Of the beauti.
iul hymn,
| ''Jesus, lover of my soul.
Let me to thy bosom fly :"
Another attempt 10 rise up was prevent.
ed, aud she threw herself on her knees
beside her brother. and gave him such q
mournlul. entreating look, with plaintive
"Save me, my brother? save your sisterI
that scarcely a passenger could refrain
from weeping. Wesay scarcely, for there
was one man (was he many who called
! on the conductor to "put her out Of the
car" He received the open scorn OF the
company. His insensibility 10 such 6
scene OF distress almost defies belief; and
yet this Is, in every particular. an "o'el
true tale" Should he ever read these
lines, may his marble heart be softened by
the recollection Of his brutality!
Again the poor benightened beauty rails
ed her bewitching voice to one Of the mos
solemn, sacred airs:
''Oh where shall rest be found,
Rest for the weary soul:"
And continued her melancholy chant unit
we reached the steamer Mount Vernon, or
board of which we descended the magnif
cent James river. the unhappy brother ant
sister occupying the ''ladies cabin" Hi;
was sorrow too profound for ordinary
consolation; and no one dare intrude sc
far upon his grief as to satisfy his curios
Iity.
We were standing on the promenade
deck. admiring the beautiful scenery OF the
river. when at one OF the landings, the
small boat pulled away 10 the shore
with the unhappy pair, en- route for the
asylum at--. She was standing erec
in the stern of the boat, her head still un
covered, and her white dress and raver
tresses fluttering in the breeze. The boa
returned, and the steamer moved on fol
Norfolk. They were gone! that brothe,
with his broken heart, that sister with hel
melancholy union of beauty and madness
- Charleston Courier.
The New State House.
By the annual report OF the State House
Commissioners. for the year 1858, which
has been laid upon our table, we learn tina
the total amount of appropriations nm tt