Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-10-18
2aNits' Department.
WTidea for The Spirit cfhe Raleigh
FRIENDSHIPS TRIUMPHS.
ny LoRA.
CHAPTER I.

by LORA.
CHAPTER /.
Perhaps there is no class Of feelings
more u%uiustly ridiculed by the world, than
those which come under the head of school
girl friendships. 1 do not pretend by this
assertion to deny the fact, that the waver-
ing parLialities Of the lightest and most
trivial characters are falsely dignifed by the
appellation. Neither do | assert that the
joys and influences pertaining to this desc
Grated name, arc not neglected and forgot
ten 50 soon as time or distance has flung
their magic veil athwart its by-gone plea
SAINT scenes. And yet, in the very face
Of this concession, / do contend that with
very many others the friendship Of early
years has softened down the rough angles
Of temper-modulated youths wilder fan
cies, and by the harmonious blending Of
kindness with frmness, example with pre-.
cept, it has acquired a power felt if not seen
over the heart they came most directly in
contact with, which has been excmplifed
thrqaghaut al future life. u is 10. our
early years that te Foundation is LAID for
that symmetrical or u%ngainly structure
which afterwards looms up therefrom.-
And not only the sage advice of teachers
and the arduous duties Of the study-hours,
but even the bright hours of pastime, the
lighter words at random spoken, and the
sentiments of her who Of all that happy
band has twined the richest wreaths of love
about the pillars Of the hearts deep home,
help in no immaterial manner toward
strengthening and deepening that founda-
ton. Youth is admitted to be the grand
season Of susceptibility, and though in light
hearted glee many may fling off to-day
what they most warmly cherished yester-
day, or ridiculc tomorrow what constitutes
their chief pleasure to-day, still there are
other minds which are not subject to this
ever varying propensity to change, but in
stead, lay up from among the imperfections
Of their early years firm and abiding prin-
ciplcs which fash out like beacon lights
across life's stormiest sea. Do not smile
then so scornfully, wise brother, when thy
sisters weekly letter goes on its message Of
love TO her girlhood's friend. True the
beaux' may figure there, aud the light tale
of scandal creep therein, yet room is still
left for beautiful aud holy lessons Of en-
~couragemcnt in lifc's sterner duties, willis
comprehensive views Of love to God anC
charity for man may not be all excluded
Fair nature wears q wearisOme face for all
and her admiration, enthusiastic and high
wrought though it seem to your calm
cooler mood, may extend far beyond tn
verdant forest and the blushing flower, tn
gurgling waters or the warbling birds; ave
even up TO natures wondrous God. An
who will dare to judge how much With
her girlish heart she feels
ellis glory who could make a world,
Yet IN tho lost depths ofthe wilderness
Leave not n flower unfinished"
We are apt in ~weightiest terms to ccnsul
the vagrant fancies of our youth, and e.
S SEer th SR GaaarE Rf Eg8E sll sHsz cR ABRa
that l had been WISER But does not
sigh minglc with the dim wish ere it
formed within, and do not tears more fl
quently than laughter accompany the ce
sure, even though we deem it just? Al
still farther is the pang which attends
knowledge that the past can never more
turn, productive of all those purer sen
ments aud actions in the contemplation
which We would suppose that u%navaili,
wish originated Are we wiser now
rather, are VIC better now-for since life
progressive school, the reward to viii
will be extended hereafter, every pursuit
either valuable or insignificant in proporti
as it approximates to or recedes from
seripturul delineatiou of its bearings up
that future life. Then are we better n
than when We robed our very existence
a gala garb of unstained brightnessAwh
faces decked in smiles were all they seen
to be-and hearts by loves witching
gers tuned gave to the ear no sound s.
that Of melody alone? Are we bet
now than whom we felt the force and trl
of every generous deed, without a do
from whence it sprang-when we met W
no dark thrill Of fear each one that Dor
christian name, aud when we pitied fl
our very hearts the callous misanthr
who could not see the beauty and the tr
which draped the world with gladness
Against the vagaries of our early days
enter many Il little protest, and yet it i
be questioned whether our perceptions v
not often mere true, our conclusions II
just, than they have proved to be benz
the heavy hand which worldly wisdom
imposed upon them. And methinks I
are happiest who can still throw to s
extent this warpiug hand aside, and C
within their breasts some g~limpses of
purer and more beautiful life which bri
ly glowed upon the vision ere it bee
vitiated by scenes Of falsehood thro
which man dooms his fellow-man to I
I was ever a 'dull moralizer, dear res
but craving your pardon l will hasteI
with the slight sketch, which possesses
little claim upon your notice beyond
fact, that in its principal incident Their
more truth than fiction.
CHAPTER III.
rnhn lhrnn dnus and ninhts Which