Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-07-19

september, WheE the sun sinks to slumher in
his gorgeous greatness. The whole arched
Isky swims in an ocean of light the heecy
clouds, piled on pile are bathed in his sun
beams forming cushions on which some an
gel may pillow-or by which some spirit
freed may be waited to the port of the spirit
land. The moon, GODDESS of night, stately
assumes her nocturnal throne, and the pale
stars twinkle an obeisance to her majesty
Earth clothes her form in mellow light and
wheels on her untiring way.
1t was on such an evening that Lee was
attending party in picturesque village Of
the west. The spacious hall was richly dec
GRATED and lighted with a brilliancy that
strangely conrasted with the outer world.
1t was to celebrate the eighteenth birth day
Of an only daughter, that Col. Grant had
collected this gay throng.
Wine flowed in rare profusion-tempting
goblels crowded the richly curved sideboard,
and each merry guest strove first to drink the
health of the beautiful Flora Lee had
stood aside to watch the happy group, but
refusing to participate until the graceful Flo
ra glided through the room, and with win
ming smile presented him the glass. He
hesilated-tboughts Of savage thirst once
conquered-home and its charms crowded
his mind but Flora gracefully placing the
glass in his hand said, drink once for my
sake" He yielded and drained its contents.
The conquest was gained and Lee rushed
infatuated through the crowd; and ere the
giddy throng dispersed he was carried to his
room drunk What a wreck Of manly beau
ty! What a prostration Of mind The
high spirited young man who before, scorned
the bubbling goblet, and haughlily curled
his proud lips at the mockings of the Wine
god, now a slave of this demon.
Flora had heen proad Of her conquest,
bat when she saw the swollen eye, the pale
haggard countenance, the unsteady step,
and convulsive start of the unfortunate Lee
she repented the rashness that caused his
fall. And well may she, to behold being
once the pride Of his circle, the stay of his
home-now how fallen!
But while his overpowerihg thirst plunges
him madly in the pathway Of wretehedness
!. let us visit the lonely Candace. Not a line
word of remembrance ever reached bel
from Lee after he started. Long, weary
months passed away and no tidings evel
came Of the loved one. True, it was whis
pered, that Lee had fallen. That proud
beautiful lady entced him to drink-that h,
was changed-his hopes blasted-his aspira
f .s,,sU-,eza4zS UOrindITIy
Candace. No. no, he was too good and wis
to fall. She spurued such an idea. HI
would yet return the same high minded Lee
Two years swifi-winged had sped by
Earth was the same beautiful planet whirl
ing in her yearly route, drinking the pur
dews Of heaven and smiling in the life beam
of the great Day-god. Bat many sad chan
ges marred its surface. Many Eearts ha
been saddened many homes desolated, an
among them, the home of Candace Counelle
Death had removed an idolized father
Sad long days passed away and she, wit
her widowed mother, lived more seclude
in their rural home. Sunbeams from th
western sky strayed TO their homes and pla,
ed in the flower plat. Soft moon-rays an
! pale stars stole glances in their night
. chambers the night bird chanted its lo
: melody near their windows, and the spir
: breeze kissed their pale cheeks and sighin;
,, sped away to its mountain home. Yet the
: only aweke sad thoughts Of happier day
and were crushed in their first existence.
: But brighter days were in store for the des
= late hearted The sun loomed from the ca
in all his grandeur trees and shrubs laught
- into beauty meath his SPELL and pende
> from many leaflets sparkled dew-diamon
= of night. Candace was admiring the seen
- when hurriedly up the avenue whirled
- carriage drawn by two foaming steeds. S
= turned, and was met at the door by her G
- lover, Lee Alliene What hours of angui
!. were lost in that moment of bliss! Ye;
y only could free the long peat sorrow.
a. a. g Forgive me- he exclaimed. 81 was tenn
~ ed Yielded fell; 6ut was sac
~ ;" Next to God thank the Sons of Temperal
';s s for my rescue"
- - Many many happy days passed over
IL IL two thus united Honor and love W
- - heaped upon their shrine but never ag
10 y did wine spoil this Eden. Never were
- poisonous sparkles suffered to swim iE TEN
of ing currents over the goblet's brim.
" Should any fair daughter of E,e cha
TO read these lines, let the fate of the '
Flora be her warning. She lived to s.
husband sink in death drunkard.
saw his last moments profaned By the Gu
of the wine demon that possessed hin
She felt the curse of the aUidoaUed aCife
ie an drunkard
Should ever the wine cup sparkle in
hand dash it to earth. Spurn it, as
ace would the adder lurking in the tall gra;
ON. your feet. Shun it, as you would the lii
the lava that rolls from Etna's crater, OF
She deadly simoom Of the desert.
lain Let no fallen youth say you lurec
and to ruin" Let no demon lurk around
midnight pillow, with his mocking laug
of your conquest over wavering brother.
his Let no cheek be blanched, no eye dim
the no heart crushed by your rashness.
- not the eye Of childhood watch the totte
ex steps, or the ear Of initiating youth Ii
she the curses of one ruined by your
i've, Veil not the hideous monster that co
live the brimming goblet, to strike deep his
own ly fangs in the life-fountains of the runs
ey- ELFRIDA IVES
iene ~.~-,
aniy A negro who was called on as WI
how in one of the North Carolina Courts, c