The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-08-30
- From Sharpe's London Magazine
NTHE ALTERED PICTURE.


eTHE ALTERED PICTURE.
Among the many pleasures Of my youth
ful days, there was none greater or NOR.
eagerly looked forward to than an occa
<ional visit, on some Of the finest summe
diys, 10 an old mansion some ten mile.
distant, from our bone. Hill and valley
wood and water. With the broad sea CLEAN.
ing bright in the distance, combined to
forsn one Of the fairest scenes in the south
pfsEngl gland; bue. though | loved we'll to
ratilble among those thick woods. or walk
more soberly in the stately old fashioned
garden, my greatestt treat was to steal away
20 thez6id housekeeper, with whom I was
an especial favorite. and listen to the his
tories of The fair DANES and gallant caval,
!, iers whose portraits covered the walls. and
wha ~ assumed, in my youthful brain
The of heroes and heroines OF ro-
meqE 6iong abese pictures, one was
s55 pam Mir iavofite; II was never weary
~ okinR al it, and OF hearing the legend
belonging to it. 1t was the portrait Of a
maritime officer. young, handsome, richly
dressed in the costume Of the early part
sof the last century. In his hand he held
the miniature Of beautiful girl, but her
{dce was sad-O, how sad and pslei-the
) large soft eYes were shadowed with grief,
and the COT @st of The rich dark hair rem
defed the fa3t cheek still paler. In the
background was ship. half.wreaihed in
smoke, through which .'the meteor flag OF
England svas partially seen. An atten.
: tive obsery6f might see that the picture had
been altered, and by no very skiful hand;
the miniature was evidently added after
Tho picture had been painted some time.
the hand that held it having rested origi-
nally upon chart. lying on . marble ta-
BILE. Well has that legend remained i'm.
pressedaupon my memory; and1I hope it
may not even now be without some inter-
eat for others.
Only once more. sweet Alice!"
But why must il be even this once
hofe7 Why viii YOU be so determined
uptn This las: voyage? Laugh at me if
you &iil, dear Edward. but own TO you
Heel dread cannot conquer at wishing
you farewell this time
Nay. this Is nonsense. Alice; year
eiter yearsl have brought back something
fioher am rarer to lay at the feet OF my
laif ludy. Il will be a serious loss 10 me
IL 60 not this once more. Besides" he
added, in a livelisr tone, chow else should
wear away the dreary months till you
tfe Of age-,ill may call you mine?"
II is scarcely more than year, Ed
ward; think your patience might last till
then; and. as to money, you know we shall
have enough. =
Poor Alice glanced ,imidly at her lover
: ~ sbs entreated him 10 give up, for her
3eak4 ior lib sake Of an ominious fore.
boding which she could scarcely justify
GyC1h 10 herself-the voyage upon which he
% so determined. But shade, which
5efquick eye alone could have marked,
359eaed over his handsome features as she
slW IL was hopeless to induce him to. give
arewell, then, my own Alice! If 1
ofn p6tswithin a year,sor at all events.
ztSfQre tho day you are Of age-our we'd
ding day. Alice!--then you are free; for
: ast mo Il you will, butsnot ill them.
laaxs you my picturs, to remind you oi
{ ~ Wben am far away. Till then you
= mine my own affianced bride.'
6rget yoW Edwardl forget you! you
k9tN well could never do that. But you
Il m ankind--yoqkar are not like yourself to.
~ Oh! why will you go? ! never be.
~ felt At parting with you ass do now
s bAmelessdread seems TO .overwhelm me-
s|fiSRle as will, l canno, free my spin
!. rom he weight that oppresses it,"
xss ear mo- Alicel You Know l,have
j9pd your mother. that when we are