Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-17
VOL. V.

from her features; but when she lifted It'll
to her sons, the motherly pride and afec-
ton that beamed from every lineament
made it very beautiful.
what a sweet face, Edward There is
something very touching in its sadness, too; !;
surely that young, delicate form was never
fashioned for such work : and Mrs Moul- |
ton touched the arm Of the son, and direc-
ted his attention to Margaret Hammond,
who, with downcast eyes and burning
cheeks, was conveying small waiter oftea
and coffee from one guest to another, for
these were now assembled in the dining
hall
The young orator started visibly, and an
expression of mingled perplexity and Won
der filed his deep, eloquent eyes, as they
followed the lits fruTc Of bIargarat - am !
-mond around the room. Surely, he had
seen that face before; it hadlooked on him
in his dreams; it had haunted his waking
hours in loneliness, in toll, and in the midst
Of crowds; and amid thunders of applause
it had beamed family upon him, but he
could not divine when or where he had first
At length Margaret Hammond's task
drew her near the place where Mr. Moulton
and his mother were standing. Just as she
approached the latter, her foot slipped over
small stool which had been inadvertently
left there, and she'would have fallen to the
floor had not Mrs. Moulton suddenly seized
her arm, and thus enabled her to gain her
equilibrium.
you are not hurt, my child 2 said the
lady, in her soft voice, and the young girl
raised her eyes at those gentle tones, while
tears of gratitude filled their dark lashes.-
With that glance, the truth flashed at once
across the mind of the orator. An hour In
the past came back to him. The wintry
day, the elegant mansion, the little girl with
her dark eyes and beautiful attire, the rag
ged starving boy, all passed before him.
Mr.. Moulton has requested to see you
= alone moment. Will you walk in here !?
said the young and graceful hostess, while
she led the wondering girl to private a.
partment.
FThey told me you wish to see me, Sir.
Is it a mistaken said Margaret, for the
gentleman had stood several moments ga.
zing intently in her face but when she at
, last lifted it to him, there was no look Of
boldness or freedom, such as she began tc
fear one occupying such social elevation
tmight bestow with impunity upon her.
No, it was not mistake, he said, II
: his rich, eloquent tones, Fand | have moi
time to explain now but do not remain
hers longer. Take these and return tC
your home : and he slipped some bank-note'
: into her hand. Do not refuse them +: they
are not gift, and only cancel part of 6
! great debt which l owe you : and before
she could reply, he was gone.
= A month had elapsed. In a pleasant
dwelling, located in retired portion of th
city, Margaret Hammond was seated on
! low stool, placed at the feet of her mother
d easy chair. She was looking very happy
;, and very beautiful, withal, as she sat there
Il her meek, loving eyes lifted to her mother
Is face, in whose pale cheeks the hue of re
r. turning health was slowly gathering.
n 'It is very strange, as you say, Mamm;
( who they can be. He stops me when a
lie tempt to thank him, by saying he owes n
y greater debt, and I don't think he evt
had any business with Papa. Hark ! an
P Margaret Hammond sprangup, overturnir
IN the stool in her haste, for her ear caugl
ry the sound of well-known knock, and
e. moment later, Mr.. and Mrs. Moulton e
tered the room.
1 So, after mutual inquiries and congrat
o. lations had been exchanged, and they we
ne all seated in the ruddy glow of the anthr
n cite fire, Mr.. Moulton spoke in his own rit
~ tones proposed you,' he said, bowiI
yes to the ladies, to reveal, at some future I
ID riod the nature of the debt which l owe
* you. Do you remember, Miss Harmon
'h- ten years ago this very day, a little, ragge
M beggar boy, who came to you, as you sto
tu- on the steps of your fathers dwelling, a
me asked you for penny, for he and his mo-
ion er were starving do you rememl
yer this p drawing a small red silk purse fri
- his pocket, and holding it before the e,
ny of the astonished girl, while her mott
IN looked at all three, and the lurking SIN
u' which pulled the corners of Mrs. Moulto
IKE mouth, betrayed that she was in the secr
'he Yes, | remember now: but howl
not did that red purse get into your possessi
od- Mr.. Moulton p at last faltered Maggie.
lar The young man did not reply, but
rose up, and taking her hand, gently lif
'as- her from the chair, and leading her to N
mes Hammond, he said:
her Madam, you see before you that Ii
ury beggar boy, and it is to your child that
wv and his mother owe their lives; and I
ow,- he offers to her that life she preserved
iicn Maggie, my sweet child-angel, will you
nan it? Mrs. Hammond will you give he
est me?
iced Amid happy, fast-fallng tears, Mas
Hammond bowed her head, and her mo-
placed her hand in Mr.. MoultoA's and n
hers INJURED in broken voice, She is yours
ugh Blessed be God, that the bread she cast
the on the waters has been found after m
olea days !
oth-
the WEARING JEWELRH llils IN the
had Journal, descants on the extravaganza of
a al female fashions. Rings hesays, from
Oble- to four on each fnger-ear-rings, large
nors showy-necklaces two or three in mum
do. with hearts and crosses dependent from
lo.s same-bracelets, many hung, casing
t0'' arms halfway to the elbow-a minute W
'slVe affixed to the waist, and moored to the
sad with a Golden cable. four times az long
weep thick as need be-a world of little kr
4 Il