Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-09-06

W. Ad1 y 1UI
Written .Jor ne Spirit Of he Age
ED G AR LEMAY.
BY A, l. HICKS
For oh there'sno signing or yearning,
Beneath the green carpeung there
And here we are constantly learning,
That life Is o'erburthened With care -
AT the early age Of ten years, Edgar
Lemay was called to follow tie remains Of
his beloved parents to the silent grave. =
1t was beausifuiP evening in the lovely
lQanth of May, onAghieh PIC funeral Of
paEelAe-s s5oLs lSasSs S9-ssS Etss1 ~sSe7.
sinking behind the westernihills J; the tiny
songsters of the waving forest, the signing
of the wind among the silver-l lined leaves,
the soft ripping Of the little brook mean
dering by, and the deep tolling of the old
church bell, rendered the scene solemn and
impressive beyond description. Then came
the solemn voice Of the old clergyman; in
beautiful language he spoke of the short
ness Of Time, and of the length of Eter-
nity-of the uncertainty of life, and of the
certainty Of death-of mortality and Of
Immortality, and Of future reward and
punishment. Then followed the impress
siye hymn and eloquent prayer-the harsh
grating of the coffin as it was deposited in
the narrow vault, and the deep, hollow
rumbling of the damp earth upon its lid,
told that thelastsad rites were peCformed.
With slow and saddened steps the con-
course returned to the village. However,
one returned mott was Edgar Lemay.-
He threw himself upon the new made
grave and wept-passionately wept. What
was he to do? the lone orphan boy -
What could he do without the aid of some
benevolent hand Where was he to 90
for home and friends he had not Who
would guide his youthful feet amid the
temptations and devices thrown out to al
lure the young and unwary, and who would
save him from the follies and vanities of
the present age2 Who would be his coun-
sellor, and who his protector? He was
emphatically, an orphan boy among stran-
gers, and far from the land Of his nativity.
Edgar's father was once fourishing
merchant in one of our Northern cities, but
owing to injudicious speculations and bad
investments he failed in business, and like
many others before him, was compelled,
with his idolized wife and little son, to seek
home among strangers. He settled in
Chester, beautiful Southern village, far
from the scene of his former prosperity
Then began the mighty battle for life
for two yeersg poverty, want and sickness
besieged his Threshold, whilst Consump-
ok 10 II oor
About this time a contagious disease in
vaded the village of Chester, and among
It's early victims, were Mr.. Lemay and his
wife. The only legacy left to Edgar by
his parents, was an honorable name and
an unsullied character!
Twilight was yelling the face of Nature
and the little twinkling stars were begin
ming to appear. The lonely Whip.poor
will took up its mournful threnody anC
made sad and dreary" the close of day
But Edgar noticed not any of these things
Young as he was, he felt the utter isolation
of his position homeless, friendless OF
phan boy. His father, after his misfol
tunes, became stern and morose, conse
duently, he made but few friends, if any
during his residence in Chester. Man
sympathized with the little boy, but offere
him nothing more. Poor Edgar Oar
indeed was his future He raised h
heart in prayer to the Father Of the fathe
less and committed himself to His car
Surely his prayer was heard, for soon a so
sweet voice fell upon his ear, and lookir
up, he beheld gentleman and little gi
standing near him.
why do you not 60 home, my lit
boy ? kindly asked the gentleman.
Edgar raised bis fearful eyes to those
the speaker and mournfully answered.
hare no home, SIR ..
But you surely have friends continu,
the man 'why not 60 to them?'
Il have neither home nor friends.
and Ma are dead, and do not know whe
to CO. was Edgar's sad reply.
What is your nameP asked the lit
girl
'Edgar-Edgar Lemay,' was the answt
ooh! what a pretty name! exclaim
the fairy-like being. Pa she continu
in pleading tone, will you. not take +
gar home with us He has no friends
but | will be his friend Say, Pas
how he is crying-may he 60 home wi
us?
Yes, my little daughter, answered \
Vernon, for that was the gentleman s NAT
Il will give him home, provided
wants it, @
Come, Edgar said the little advOca
como with us; Pa says he will G
you home, and | will call you brot
Edgar
With grateful heart Edgar accep
the kind offer, and was conducted to a
mausion-such an one as once belong
to his father. Mr.. Vernon was man
vast wealth, and was loved by all '
knew him. His generous disposition c.
bined with benevolent heart, rende
him a favorite with all classes Of people
His family consisted of an only daugh
and a niece, the daughter of his wi
sister. Mary Vernon was beautiful G
about ten years of age. She was lo'
beiup-rraceful as a wild Gazelle, yet
cile as a bending flower; she was full
warm impulses, and possessed gentle
aAectionate disposition. Lizzie Ash
also was one of earth's fairest daught
beautiful form-sdark glossy ring
falling around faultless neck-dark
sparkling with JOY and mischief-teeth
ivory--a saucy, pouting mouth-ch
;vaiIin0 the delicate tint of the rose,