The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-08-25
Faith and EEOpe.
BY ELLA MOORE.

J | asked myself II IL we're not dream. My spirit
answered no. And when awake, | again asked
if 1t were not all dream. My guardian angel
answered no!
| before me a lovely landscape rich in ev.
cry hue and dye. The setting sun had tinged the
clouds with gold and silver fringns, while here aud
Tho re fitted er the vault light fleecv clouds
| OF vapor which seemed like the goSsamer wings
of angels lowering DER the destiny Of man.
! Far, far off in the background lay the ocean,
calm sleeping infant, with many 4 white sail
resting upon lis bosom. 1t had caught the fam
ing hues Of heaven and was refpcting them in it's
own bright mirror, until il was hard to tell where
sky and water met Then came the rude and
craggy shore which set up It's mighty walls Of de-
! liancc, saying, $50 far shalt thou go, and no
farther"
Beautiful mountains, with their rich yerdure,
s0rod away 10 smiling wales; on the hill side
grazed the loving herds, and in the meadows
skipped the sPortive lamb.
There one bright spot in the foreground,
from which a crystal fount was sending up its
pure refreshing waters, which made lis way dash
ing, ioaming and IenPing over every obstacle
until it had hid itself in the bosom Of its parent
ocean.
Beside this fountain sat youthful maiden,
minging her tears with the stream. The weep
ing boughs OF graceful willow famed her pale
checks and the gentle breezcs which nestled
echo.
Two fair, bright sisters stood beside her, who,
plying her sorrow, begged she would confde IN
them, and they would be to her friends
She looked wistfuIIy upon them; then placing
her fore-fnger upon her lips, she pointed to the
opposite side Of the tree, here stood the cause
of all her grief
& Hee1 him not, Dearest" said The gavest of
the two, &" heed him not; he dare not Interrupt,
you while We Only tell US your sor
rows; We have balm for every wound"
With trembling accents, slow and irregular,
now hesitaling, now doubling, she began to tell
| her trials.
| Il was born" said she in the lap Of luxury,
| reared 10 the palaces Of nobles caressed bv
| friends, admired and courted by the world was
never satisfied with happiness, but like the bee,
roamod from flower 10 flower, slipping only lis
sweets. Yet my restless spirit was the
wing. Each new JOY only created desire for
SOM thing moro, something better.
IL was suddenly stopped in my light career hy
an admirer He caught my ear by sweet and
gentle words. He said he had loved me long aud
tondcrly, he had sent many an offer of mar
riage, but would not hear Them and now he had
come himself. He said his father was great
king, and lived in far distant country; that he
owned vast empires, and would give them all 10
him that he had many, very many su! Jrcts, who
all held him in great esteem, but | must be his
bride. He had surmounted innum"rabe obs'a-
ciCs to come TO me, and a! he wished was my
/ heart.
C For long time / hesrated, and cndeavorcd
10 Danish him from me, but he was too faithful to
be thus easily discouraged, and By slow degrees
he won that heart which was at tirst much Cp
pc to him. And, oh with what rapture he
held me 10 his bosom, and asked me thousand
times il | loved him and if | would prove true
and as often did renew my VOWS.
"IIe then said lie must leave for while,
and 90 to his father TO report the glad tdngs, and
make ready ;hc marriage supper He said need
give myself 10 tro3he 10 prepare a wardrobe,
my garments would all await me hc would have
spacious MANSION prepared for me. and a crown
Of great value and at the appointed time | should
come 10 him, and would be welcomed by an in
nuncrablc host.
"He moreover told me the way was rugged,
and would probably have many difficulties 10
encounter, bui he would send me escort in
Whom | must have entire confidence.
"My beloved had no gone than another
lover presented himself at my feet. lie told me
he knew my former suiior we'll; that he would de-
cciye me; was too easy lnvelged by his arliuI
nsinuayions his tale all a fabrication to win
t" himself; his views were entirely selfish; +;
thai he had no such immense possessions as he
boased-and even il lie had it poor proof
OF his affection to leave and send an escort to
Love needed not so much preparation. No !!
B Iinvc me, dearest, YOU sec in me one who will
never leave nor forsake You. am truly in pos
session of princPnlirics and powers; my influence
extends 10 the ends of the earth, and | will give
You cf the good things of life until you fully
satisfied. Come, be mine, loved one, and see i
my assertions are not all true. | Will Sc nd you
20 escort. but will be at your side ready to
crafty your every wish. Hesitate no longer !;
give me bu! your hand, and will win your heart.
You shall not fly from me; | will pursue you TO
the ends of The Garth ere my hated rival shall
possess you
Thus YOU see him at my side. Fly whithcr-
soevcr will, be- true 10 his word, pursucs me and
torlureS me with his love. He sometimes makes
me- doubt ana feel willing 10 give up him who has
left me to contend with such devoted rival, yet
nv heart seems only to live for him, even il be
should prove false. Each morn and eve think
will bring the escort and bear away 10 bm :;
but each rising sun only awakes me to sorrow,
and his setting tells me another day has gone and
yet remain alone. | say alone-for oh no"
" illing would fo!sake father, mother, property
and friends could but feel sure OF his love, and
not torture my self with the suspicious created ty
his hated rival"
The sisters had given attentive audience to all
she said and now that she could no longer sFeak
for tears, they gently stepped forward, and each
taking hand, they kindly raised her from the
earth imprinted a kiss upon her forehead, and