The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-04-14
THE BEAUTIFUL MANIAC.
(ERoM THE CHARLESTON couRIEK)
"'l'he fire that OH my bosom breys,

i ii Il u Il a U lIf y l. NJ a y Az.
(ERoM THE CHARLESTON couRIER)
"The fire that oil my bosom brevs,
j. lone rs some volcanic ilsc,
No torch is kindled at IFS blaze
a funeral pale!'
In the morning train from Petersburg,
there was n lady closely veied, in the same
ear with ourselves. She was dressed in the
purest white. wore gold bracelets, and ev.
IDENTITY belonged to the higher circles of soc.
ETY.. Her figure was delicate, though well
developed and exquisitely symmetrical; and
when she occasionally drew aside richly
embroidered veil, the glimpse of the features
which the bchodcr obtained, satisfied him of
her extreme loveliness. Beside her sat
gentleman in deep mourning, who watched
over her with unusual solicitude and several
times when she attempted to rise, he excited
the curiosity Of the passengers by OBTAINING
her in her seat.
Outside the cars all was Gonfusion passcn.
gers lookingto baggage, porters running, cab.
men cursing, and all the usual hurry and
hustle attending the departure of railroad
train One shrill warning whistle from the
engine and we movcd slowly away
At the first motion of the car, the lady in
white started to her feet with one heart-pier.
cling scream, and her bonnet falling off, dis
closed the most lovely features we ever con-
templated. der 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-what heavenly beauty,
had not so much of misery been stamped up.
on it. Alas! that one glance told n mclancho-
ly tale.
she was changed
As bv the sickness of q soul her mind
Had wandered from its dwelling, and her
eyes
I They had not their own lustrc but the look
Which is not of the earth she was become
The queen Of fantastic realm; her thoughts
Were combinations Of di>jointcd things,
And FORMS impal lpable and unpcrccivcl
OF Others sight, familiar We're to hers"
Her brother, the gentleman in black, was
unremiting in his efforts to soothc her spirit.
He led her back to her seat; but her hair was
still unbound, and her beauty unvcilcd.-
The ears ratified on, and the passengers in
groups resumed their conversation. Sudden
" wild melancholy sound arose; it was th,
beautiful maniac voice, rich, full and amiable
| Her hands were crossed on her hcaying bo
som. and she waved her body rs she sun,
witt! touching pathos-
"She is far from the land where the youn
hero sleeps,
! And lovers are around her signing.
But coliIy she turns from their gaze and weep
For her heart in his grave is lying
She sings the wild song, of her dear natiy
plains,
Every note which he loved awakinE--
All, little they think who delight in her strain
How the heart of the minstrel is breaking
Her brother was unnamed, and he wep
as only man can weep. The mir changed, an'
she continued
"IIas sorrow thy Young days shaded
As clouds Ger the morning fleet
Too fast have those Young days faded,
That even in sorrow Were sweet
If thus the unkind world wi'her
Each feeling that once was dear,
Come, child of misfortune, come hi'icr,
I'll weep with thee, tear for tear"
She then sung n fragment Of the beautiful
hymn,