Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-01
gabirs' Department.
W,itien for the Spirit cfMe Age Raleigh
FRIENDSHIPS TRIUMPHs.
BY LORA.
lCoxrISugD FROM OUR LAsr.1
p Nv.

liberty Of calling the young lady to whom
Mary s next visit was made, really enter
tanned views somewhat similar to those
which Mary advocated, but she was unfor-
t~unately of that meek, submissive character
which prevented her asserting them with
the decision they deserved. In their wise
discussions on the subject, she had always
said that she could not for the life of her
see why Mary Alton could not 60 with
whom she pleased, without giving offence
TO them. And if they liked her, it was
enough, without their compelling themselves
to love all those that she did. This always
brought up tho conclusive retort- But
look at the principle, Jane-the breaking
down all our long established barriers be-
tween birth, education, refinement aud ig-
n~orance, poverty and crime; besides, it
was arrogance in her, a young girl just out,
to presume to dictate to them and to think
10 bend them to her wishes.
Jane was sileneed but not convinced
so when Mary herself introduced the sub
Jeet, she was surprised to find her indiher-
ent upon those points for which the others
had so warmly contended.
Let every one act 10 such matters as
pleases them best was her ever ready and
liberal concession; but Mary could get her
no farther-could stimulate her to no zeal
in the case before them-could awake no
responsive feeling to her earnest defence of
Emma Gale.
eff you like it, visit aud love her, l shall
not care the less for you but l have never
done so, and have no desire to do it now.
But think how painful must be her po-
%sition, to be thus treated in a small place
like this, by the young of her own sex,
when she is really as we'll adapted for So
cial intercourse as any of US, and is only
excluded by poverty and through the course
which her father is now struggling to alter!
Il dare say it is very dreadful returned
the hopeful young lady, but | can't help
it, you see.'
'You could visit her you could treat
her as your equal, or at least as a human
being richly deserving sympathy and res
pect.'
ooh! no, no ; l never did l have no
wish to do 50. You can go if you like, but
/ don't know Miss Gale, and l have so
many other things to take up my time
And all Mary's eloquence and earnest
zeal could produce nothing farther, SO that
there was really as much at the conclusion
Of her visit to Miss 0dell to bring back her
former dependency as to the other ladies.
Perhaps even more; for her first concession
had awakened the hope that she could in.
duce her to view Emma's position in the
light she did, and that she would treat hel
in a manner correspoudingly kind. Mary
Atoms mornings work had considerably
.-..ANIa1 Al. ...n,..l, 80 L.. n.,l g.
as / have said before, she was anxious fo
appreciation and love moreover, under al
her apparent firmness she had had to d.
battle with her own naturally variable feel
ings, for tho question would force itscl
sometimes { why am l doing SO much in
cause that is not of personal interest to me
Why should | consider myself called upo
to oppose those who are older and perhap
wiser than myself-incur their censure an
d~islke-banish myself from their intimacy
and all for a poor girl whom almost ever
one would decide possessed claims far bC
meath theirs, and with whom my acquair
lance is limited TO a few brief interviews
It is just such vacillating thoughts, wit
their subsequent conclusions and conduc
that so often subvert individual efforts I
uO HOQu-luobo ANh hAOIdl dpdbuJ buhb Nu
ses the world with its continuation of inju
tice and crime. Happily, Mary's bette
spirit came to herald, and under its strength
ening influence she again retorted-' we
I am responsible for every neglected OF
pOrtunity Of acting right-responsible
God and to society for the adoption, whetl
err actively or passively, Of every c%onclusiC
that is wrong Youth, and energy, ar
mental powers are given me that | mc
work, aud if ! may not conquer a worl
or subdue q host, or even modify the vieN
Of q few proud girls, | must still press (
in that path which is marked out for N
feet to tread. 1t is my duty and privileI
as well to labor for the cause of truth wit
out stopping to enquire how far God W
bless the end mine to make the SINGER
truthful effort, leaving the effect in t
hand of Supreme wisdom and love.
Under these reflections her mind gr
calmer, but still another trial awaited h
for her father, who of course could not knt
how tired and overstrained her mind had
come, from the long contemplation of so
citing a subject, insisted upon a detail of
morning visits. Mary glanced lightly o.
all that was unpleasant, but he still cauE
enough TO donounce in no measured ter
their heartlessness and folly until she beca
more thoroughly wearied than ever. 1t v
with sensations of relief then, that she hei
him state at the tea table that Ned had q
out of town and would spend the night, 4
that he was compelled to attend to some
siness matters with a gentleman who left
village at an early hour in the morning.
expressibly rejoiced at the prospect of be
alone, Mary had scarcely drawn her chair
the centre table and arranged the lamp
that she might read, if so inclined, bel
there was q ring at the door and Mr.. L
renee was announced. She arose at his
trance, greeted him with cordial politen
and glided more easily into conversation t
o few moments before she had thought p
ible with any one, when she was az
brought back to the old theme by his
mark-"I think ] saw you out visiting
morning, Miss Alton p
Yes, the whole morning was thus
plOyed.'
Pleasantly, / hope?'
1t is generally considered one of our ri
ATTEST recreations, l believe
Was that evasion intended as q rebuk
my inquisitive propensities p
Not e~xactly-but you certainly could
have expected me to enter into q detail O
that was pleasant or unpleasant in my m
ing callsf'
Unpleasant / could never have lii
that word with such society as Miss Fensl
Miss Wilson. Miss Jennin0 Or Nj ~ a.