Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-08-02

prove good, and attentive listener, | will
there tale unfold"
"Aiter my departure from here, in the
spring Of '54, Travelled westward, and final.
iy halted in the beautiful county o. p, in the
western part Of Illinois. went into busi-
ness, and boarded with a family, with whom
was residing at the time, lady-a pure,
bright, joyous, beautiful being--such as one
Sc dom sees, in n life time. When introduc-
ed to me, she addressed me with that easy
dignity and grace, which instantly fixes the
attention, wins admiration, and produces those
undefinable sensations and feelags, which
cannot be described:
| "Oh! there are looks and tones that dart"
| An instant sunshine through the heart;
| as II the soul that moment caught
| 'Somc treasure it through life mad sought"
| Such, were the sensations, that flashed
through my mind, as |, for the first time, gaz-
ed upon that faultess form, and iair face; g.
looked into the depths of those mild, culm
blue eyes.
was q stranger, in land of stra gers; g.
need not tell you. that my heart yearned Tor
the dear cumpanionship Of friends Those,
who have left the homes of their childhood,
and taken Up their abode, far, far away from
all who are near and dear, alone can tel. what
a sers, of utter loneliness comes over the soul
as we reflect, that not one OF all those FIRMS
arc md us, have we ever seen before; and
perhaps, not one would stoop to wipe the
death-damp from the Strangers brow, or brush
away tear.
We were much together fond Of each
others society--and il is no. to be wondered
at, that as we sauntered through the green
fields, and howery wales, whispering words Of
| encouragement and hope, or culing Natures
choicest flowers; an intimacy sprang up b.
tween us, which amounted to something more
than mere friendship.
! As many one has been before, too, wos
in love-had unsuspectingly given my heart
away-and was but too happy. because had
every assurance that pure, bright being, who
was everything to me, and without which.
life seemed useless, and existence, blank :"
"In her society, weeks flew as minutes;
vows of love, from both, sealed by the fond
embrace, and tender kiss--had been poured
again and again, into each others ears-bind-
! ing our hearts together
by that golden veilasing chain,"
and main.
My cup of happiness was almost comp lete,
| and was looking forward with bright at
,icipations, and high hopes, to the time, when
| might press her to my almost bursting heart
and call her by that holy, fond, and endear-
ing ppellation-wIrE; when 10 was start.
ed by the announcement from her own sweet
| lips that had SO oft been pressed to mine
| that she "mlSt see me no naOre!"
l stood aghast-amazed; scarcely believ-
ing the evidence of my own senses. felt,
as if cast out OF Paradise, aud consigned to
| the hlackest regions ut Eternal Despair 70
be thus suddenly prtclptnted fir, IN the highest
pinnacle OF earthly felicity, and plunged into
| the darkest aUys, ol wu, to sec every long
cherished mop every bright, high, and holy
untlci "a ion, every M ,tierrlon, prusr rated
Ia ear'h; aud the dearest, purest, hottest ties
o. hfe and lore lr"mplrd in the dus' made
| th4 warm, red currents of liie curJ'e about
! the heart, and set the brain on ti~e. Tne
! heart, grew sex an iainr. the head throhbed
! aud rreicd a, If bursting. aud time and again
| ] thought reason about to BE- d-throned.
tried TO ask our Heavenly Parent that this
last calamity LiIght be avoided; and He,. in
! His goodness and mercy, heard that poJr i'm
perfect prayer. But oh! my frieRi NJ one
but Him, who reads the heart, aud marks our
sighs aud tears, can know, how much have
! suffered "
Here he ceased, apparently overcome by
intense excitement. Could you not, sid l.
learn anything of the cause that prompted
! l. 4 o. -,
81 endeavpred," he replied, "to ascertain
what had led her TO this--to mc--iutal d ter
mination and after much persuasion ant
entreaty, she informed me that her folks were
dissatisfied, and would undoubtedly make
fuss, unless my attentions to her, should cease
Poor. delnded girl! She took the very hes
way she possibly could, for bringing abou
that which she most dreaded"
81 told her would leave the settlement
, desire, said she, you should not; remain, a
least, few months longer, or until spring
, you may wait on me as heretofore, but mus
not keep my private company" /, of cours
Q rejected this proposal, but remained in til
\ vicinity as she requested. finally made he
y an offer CT my hand and heart, in marriage
/, These overtures were rejected; with passion
2 a.e fondness, she threw her arms abou
e my neck, pressed her heart and lips to mint
then laying her head on my bosom, she wep,
Y at the same time declaring she would soone
' die than disobey
Here was dilemma; and what was to
= done! To try to persuade her to run off wit
me--after the honorable proposal had ju!
s maGe--was thought beneath the dignity
an honorable man. In the anguish OF m
c spirit, inwardIy cursed the miserable author
e Of what thought-our mutual unhappines
|. | think, if there is one place in the regior
;. of Eternal Despair, where 'the worm die,
ID not, and the fire is not quenched,' backe
n hotter, and more Intensely terrible than al
q. other-it must be reserved for those, WI
A. would thus sepa-ate-without a shadow
es reason--lhose, who are thus bound togethe
&c by the strongest, purest, and holiest OF huns
!" ties-turning our cup of happiness to gall
Mt severing The cords of life, ,buryng the warme
II. dearest affections in living grave, and pro
is trating all our highest hopes, and holiest a