The Santa Fe weekly gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.T. [i.e. N.M.]) 1851-1854, 1854-02-04
NUMBER "a

of these knew, and was a stranger.
! 1t was June eyening-a beautiful, bright,
fragrant June evening, when laid down my lit
tie pack in the village inn. The birds were co.
rolling forth their happy yesner songs the cow
boys merry whistle echoed among the pine clad
hills and yerdant plains; the herds and Aocks
were grazing in the green meadows, when |
wended my solitary way to th@rillage cemetery.
When lett my home, years ago, but few
mounds were scattered here and there over tho
beautiful retreat Of the dead; bot few monu-
ments reared their snowy crests above The fo-
liage Of the shrubbcry that surrounded them
But what change This spacious yard was
now all filed up with the narrow pnucs of those
who wore once filed with life and animation.
did not wander far before came to tee grave
Of one whom | had enderly loved in youth,
plain marble slab, with an appropriate ms
cription, marked the resting place Of the once
beautiful maiden. 1t was too much for me; my
soul could bear to 80 no farther. That maiden
was once my playmate; she WAS my companion
in all my childish sports, and loped her. Her
image had ever been present with me in all my
wNnderings; her idolized form. her face, radiant
with sweetness, had been ever distinctly reinem
bcred, and to gaae upon them once more was
tho reason Of my returning TO my home again.
Nothing but this dcsire--a whish that had ever
haunted me-could have induced me to return
to that spot where no friends now remained to
welcome the wanderer back. Fool that was for
ever returning
Immediately repaired to The inn, and there,
from the lips Of an aged gentleman, learned the
sad history Of her whom had SO long and ten
derly loved. The story ran in this wise;
:'Loyey and beautiful was that sNinted maid
en-, George, and many were those who bowed
the knee Of alteration before her queeuly form.
She ecIipsed in beauty and grace all other maid
ems,
"As the sun rising doth obscure STAR"
and she was tcnderly beloved by all. Non,
could help loving her, for she was friend to
everybody; her presence dsyelled the cares and
gloom from the hoyel Of want, rs the morning
misti fly before the rising SUM- she stood by
the sick couch and and the bed Of death, cheer
ing and animating the sufferers with hope snd
resignation; in short, George, she was our good
angel, and more worshppcd by the poor yiN-
ges than the God who made us, but upon all
she smiled a smile of friendship, md nothing
more she accepted none. Thus was Caro Lee,
and thus passed the pleasant days Of hcr youth,
"When she was about seventeen years Of age,
her father. wealthy merchant in our village,
took into lis service, as clerk, young man, .
few years Carols senior, Of very pleasing ad
dress, and remarkable personal bealty. Henry
Leland possessed every charm to win the conf.
dence and love Of young and Ccnfding maiden,
lie had spent several years in the city, ia which
time his manners had received q polish and
grace very pleasing to those who look for fair
exterior before looking the real mort, il any,
which is to be found beneath. Henry had not
been long in the employ Of Mr.. Lee, whom he be-
came acquainted with his beautiful daughter,
Caro-, and desire at their first meeting, II We
may believe his own words, entered his breast
to win the fair jewel.
"Mr. Lee, was business man in the strictcst
sense Of the word, and paid much more attcn-
tion to his doy.books and egcrs than to the aI,
fairs Of his family. lie was sociabe old fell
low, and as perfectly confding to those IN his
emp ploy, as to those who stood upon a level with
him; thus his clerks and aborers were MS often
invited to his house, and as politely treated,
when there; as the man Of millions Henry WIS
not slow to accept the invitation Of Mr.. Lee,
nor was he backward in improving the freedom
thus granted him. With lis handsome person
and oily tongue, his bewitchng smile and gra.
ccfnl bearing, he was not long in making fn-
vorable impr ession upon the tender soul of Caro-.
Every art Of which he was master was praetieod
by him to win the esteem and love Of the pure
hearted girl, and at last hew successful. The
tender cord was touched, the well-spring Of her
affections he found; he possessed the key TO fu--
ture wealth and happiness.
81 need not to 60 through, George, with all
the particulars of their days Of wooing; Of tho
oposition of Caro's mother to their union; tho
Interruptions in loves passage, and all this, for
it would be, to you, uninlerestlng. Suffice it TO
say that they loved each other tenderly and we'll.
Mr.. Lee thought Henry very paragon of per.
fection, and he gave his consent readily and will
lngly to the union. All obstacles were now re.
moved from between them and perfect bliss,
and the young and hopeful lovers were happy.
Now all was hustle in the house of Mr.. Lee
cooks and dress makers, and servant girls were
as busy as their respective duties as though cach
and all were to be married too, and everything
progressed finely. Mr.. Lee gave to Henry Il few
weeks in which to make due preparations for
his part in the interesting performance. 1t was.
duly improved by him, and all went as merry
as marriage bells. The day at length arrived,
and Henry Leland and Caro- Lee were made "one,
flesh" That night the rich mansion of Mr. Lee
resounded to sweet music, to gay laughter and
happy merry-making. 1t was a bright aud ja~
yous scene, and many were the silent prayers
sent up to tho throne of grace for the future
happiness of the beautiful bride.
A splendid house was purchased for theyoung
coupe-that's is the houseyonder, George, bid
in those stately clms-ond Henry became the
junior partner, in the firm Of "Loo & Leland.
merchants" Let us pass over just one short
year, George, and again take up our story. In
that mansion the one to which havo,iust
pointed, is heard the auctoueer's hammer, and
his rapid call of "who bids higher. lie is
selling the rich furniture that once belonge to
his numerous creditors Afcw months after tho
daughters marriage Mr.. Lee became bankrupt,
having engaged in the ruinous speculation of
land, in which so many lost their all. Poverty
ho could not endure, and in less than one short