Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-04-11
Original Sturp

OrtgfMal oSt0rp.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
ArthuF.Bruce,
Or the Reward of Perseverance.
by RANDOM ESSAY
(coNrISUED.)
One morning aftera weeks absence, Ar
thur was again at his seat His counte-
nance was pale and care worn, and his eyes
swollen with weeping; but still be applied
himself with his usual ardor to his books.
. AZ play time, that day, he ventured to
FOLLOW the scholars to'the play ground, as
ne Perhaps, hoped, that his recent heavy
junction would cause the heart of his cruel
eOrmentor 20 relent; but in this he was
mlsssaken, for there was deep rooted envy
V.FgagEsv yissRy;, - llstc 4 se4As, pd4s1 pd4s
felt deeply, his own inferiority to Arthur,
and he wished to keep him down by abuse
and ridicule, as he was not able to do it 9th
erwise. On this day Arthur tried by every
means in his power to gain the good will of
Tom, and his efforts met strong second
in the person Of the artless but faithful He
len. But'as soon as the play commenced,
Tom, followed by other boys, who, over
awod by his size and wealth, rather than
by any respect for him, always followed
us humble satellites In his abusive train, be-
gan with Arty was your father drunk
when you left'Z' Isn't he the image of his
father-a little Topper in embryo This
was too much for the sensitive spirit of Ar
thur, his fair brow darkened for a moment
with suppressed rage-but this was of short
duration, the silent tear soon followed, and
he left the cheering sport to seek the silent
solitude!
Helen, who had fondly hoped for better
things, saw all; with eyes mourning in tears
she approached her cousin, and said in a
gentle but earnest voice, tom, have
liked you, but l almost dislike you, now,
you are so unkind. If your mother was
dead, how would you feel p
Even tho tender Helen seemed to be
swayed by momentary impulse of passion.
This was so unusual to her, that such an
expression on her part filled every heart
with awe-for oil loved Helen Even over
her cousin, she had great power. Oh
said he, after a short pause, You will not
like me, but you will like little Arty, the
'Drunkard's son. Strange things happen
he may be as great drunkard as his father
one Of these days p-and he tried to create
laugh at his expense. Helen was silent,
but the sad expression of her dreamy eye
showed that her young heart was inexpres
sibly full. She was soon absent from the
play ground-I heard one girl whisper tc
another, Helen has gone to get Arthur
to explain her lesson The ministerins
Angel was indeed gone we saw them sit
y ting-on tho grnan terrace. under the shad
Of the towering oaks.
From this time they were often together
Hand linked in hand they would wande
alone among the rough crags of the mour
tain-over the breezy hills-beside tn
flowing streamlets, and through the gree
mazes Of the shady grove.
II was said they loved each other, bl
however this might have been, it was plal
they were mutually benefited by their
sociation. Helen found Arthur alwa..
ready and willing to explain every dificu
ty that was in her lessons it was lab
Of love to him while on the other han
the magic of her presence dispelled t
cloud Of gloom that hung over him, al
from that time, the fair sunlight of no
beamed with brighter radiance from
countenance.'
Here the old man stopped for sh'
time, and gazed, with apparent transpo
upon tho magnifcence, the unsurpass
grandeur of the surrounding scenery I
sun was swiftly approaching the westC
horizon, while its parting beams play
among the tall peaks, and rough crags
the mountains-gilded with golden HI
the tall autumnal forests, and sported W
the little laughing brookets that lea
merrily down among the rocks-glanc
back mischievously upon the frown
mountain-and throwing kisses at the 81
ing orb, as mementoes of their affection
shall never forget continued the
man, arousing himself from deep revC
in an increasing seriousness of voice,
shall never forget an incident that fell
der my observation two years after
events | before narrated. Arthur was
advanced in his studies, but as this wa
be his last Term at school, he applied b
self with greater diligence than ever-w
the rest were at play he was under the sh
of some spreading tree poring over his bo
rarely stealing moment to spend in
lightful converse with the fair Helen.
1t was warm day about the midd
June, most Of us we're on the banks of
river, youder; (and he pointed to a
bluff on the French Broad, overhung
bushes and vines,) Arthur was alone
meath the shade Of this old beech p,
over his looks. Thomas Tyndal, wi
number Of the girls, were on the high
wreathing flowers into chaplets; |, and
eral others were sporting on the pei
shore at the ford below. l was sud-
startled by wild shrek, and looking
saw little girl, who had been gath
flowers from the hill near by, coming S
towards me.
'Ol David said she, pale, and a
breathless from frght-'run, run Hele
fallen into the dark hole at the bluff
or she will drown-Tom won't jump
ter her, and Arthur is too far of. l b
ed with all my might to the spot; a
the students stood near the bluff whe
fell, and among them Thomas Tyndal
seemed like statue of granite. So
was his alarm, yet he would not vent
plunge to the rescue Of the drownin!
Just then l saw Arthur with counte
gastly pale, approaching the bank, tn
instant he cleared the rough undero