Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-02-28
a 1ormS

Ms, but when adversely fr0Wns, see
ow they forsake US. Not one is left to offer
word Of sympathy."
Thus unused Lola, as she sat alone ponder
ng upon the past. Her fortune had indeed
for already the keen winds of pow
had touched her brow. Twas ct the
lose of a cold December day !; no bright fire.
tide cheered her-Only a few Goals glimmered
on the hearth-there she sat, while
sears of sorrow trickled down her youthful .
cheek soft as eiderdown, and lovely as the
morning cloud which meets the eye Of the
weary traveller who has ionrneyed the long,
lone night. By her side was seated q little
her only sister, who, had been left to
her guidance by a mother now laia low in
the grave. The child spoke not, but sat in
thoughtful mood. No lighfilled the apart
ment, save the rays of the Ba&h, which threy
its beams cempassionately into her lose
chamber. The snow hadfallen deep, msnt-
hing each hill, whileff1e stars reflected, q halo
of light upon its surface, giving st i more
beautiful aspey<.
Lola had never known sorrow until within
a short time. Fortune had ever smiled upon
her, but now proved a gay deceiyer. At
an carly age, death deprived her of a devoted
father, and she was left to the protection OF a
doting mother, to whom she was rendered
more dear after her death. just rs Lola was
verging on womanhood, her mother was taken
too. Now, all she had to love was a little
sister, to whom she devoted her utmost at
%tention.
WHY does Lola look so intentiy upon one
corner of the room? And why does she
sigh so sadly, and softly whisper, :" My
treasure ! Ny TREASURED! must thou go too ?
Nv mother now slumbers in the grave. and
ali friends have forsaken me ; and Oh, Heav-
ems! tits too much; you must be taken away.
Alas! what will serve to cheer the sad hours
of the 6ay-to chase away the gloom that
steals over my soul? Alas alas my moth
er loved it too. She bid me, on her dying
couch, ever to cling to it for her sake alone.
Il served to soothe her bed of pain at the gloom
of midnight. Ere she breathed her last, she
called me to her side and bid me part from ii
- never"
But of what is Lola speaking, and what
n4sSrs this Observation-Disclosures" IN unfecTfnie
aika cruel one has demanded il Of her for q
small debt; he, too, who once desired her
e hand and heart, but, since fortune had sc
changed, loved her no longer. Probably the
incidents relative to the harp will be Of inter
est to the reader: hence we will give its de-
; tails.
t After the death of Lola's mother, sher,
were HOG IuHuS enough TO Uo1rdY the exDSR
ses Of the funeral, and the only object of any
n value left was Lola's harp. Oh! she lo-sS
it fondly and when, in fits Of despondeNE
: she would play upon it, its very vibrations
II seemed to be an echo from her own heart
For awhile she would experience in magma
ton, by gone days" She often played tn
n air her mother so fondIy loved, and tear
would fill her lovely eyes. Lola felt as
U she could never part from it, and wouldmak
any sacrifice rather than give mp her harp
: She felt as though, if she could still retain il
" it would render her more happy, if it wer
merely because it were fulfilling the reques
of her departed mother.
One morning as she sat alone, refectin,
on the past, her attention was arrested bv.
loud knocking at the door. Who can it.k
thought she. On opening the door, VII
should she seeobut Clarence Lesion. Sh
N was perfectly Amazed, and 5odid aat Twin
why he came there For(though he ba
r loved her fondly once, he sfarcely recognize
Ill her now. He accosted her THUS
le :" am very sorry, Miss Wiidham. to in
q trude upon you; but demands are mad
I'd about the payment of your debt, and I cam
n to see what could be done."% Lola turne
pale, and her heart was too full for utteranc
re OF words. Lesion resumed speaking, 9Th
lg debt must be paid.n
IT. The werd mast echoed in kola's ear. LIE,
g, ton looked around the deselate appartmen
and his eye rested upon the harp. Lola 70
IS lowed his gaze; and, as she saw his eyt
he riveted there, she sighed. She we'll kne
SO that the person to whom she was speakin
lac had no compassion whatever, for he was
of heartless being, and his love for money woul
'r lead him to do anything for the ACOUSTIC
az of it. After a silence of q few minutes, LIE
ng ton told Lola that her harp would probabI
N defray the expense, and that It must be sci
he g the auction room ohTfhe followiag NOR
ir, ing.
p- "Ohl spare me'that.H said she. for ala,
y l have nothing else to love. tt was nav fat
er's gift in my brighter days, and you've
M you, have heard me touch its sweetestchord
and poured out fiattering words into my ca
at and now you are ready and willing to depri
ed me of the simple object which consnmtnat
D. all my happiness. Ny mother loved it. al
ls- p~erchance her spirit, even now, weeps f
ad the fate of her child"
en- Lesion possessed a heart of adamant. F
lst was not alive to any feelings of sympath,
he was avaricious, and allowed that passiC
I'D to rule him. Uncouth as avaricious, be a
nd swered Lola only by harsh words. He i
elf piled
en- at is useless. Miss WiiliAm, to pie,
it thus and pray what do yoh, 4ow SO poe
on want with a harp? Remember it ineurs e
est pense to keep it in order and, instead
contracting more debts, you should seek
settle those you o@e now. BuL / have n
nj time to parley longer all | desire is, tn
a you will denver the harp tomorrow to Il
c., servant whom | will send for it, He Ii
ed the house, and Lola sank into the chair.
nr- 1t was on the evening after this ~intervie
he with Lesion, that she s~oliloquised upon Il
by unfeeiing world sOh, my treasure, my la
in treasure! must | part from it? OH n
ng mother, look upon your child, and pity b
tn late. Lola lighted a taper, which gave su,
ks a faint glimmering light that she eou
Ter scarcely see 70 read by it. She thought
iFeaaing' to divert her mind; but obi b