Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-03-21
gaSies' .asgmtmant.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AoH.
LIFE IN GLIMPSES.
Mabel May.

Mabel was loved by tnoSe VINO knew her.
In the home of a rich aud doting father
she grew up from a sweet little child, with
blue eyes and rosy cheeks, to the noble and
generous woman. Well do those remem-
Der her gestle manners and sweet voice,
who studied botany, and chemistry, and
philosophy, and arithmetic with her in the
cherished Academy under the hill. And
they have not forgotten the games they all
played together on the green lawn that ran
meadow. Back over a long lapse of years
come those cherished scenes to those who
knew Mabel whenshe was young and happy,
and they were all happy together within
the walls of that cherished Academy, but
arc now scattered over our common country,
some in the North, some in the South,
some where the western rivers lave the
green shores, and some in Heaven! Bright
days were they, brighter by far than any
that have since gilded the pathway of Time.
MabelS heart was a wCnafs heart, and
being that, it was q heart to be won. A
young Banker from a ~neighboring city saw
her and was captivated by her charms
He was rich aud handsome, and these re-
quisiies too often ensnare the affections of
the young without properly weighing char
aeter aud disposition. Herbert Stanhope,
the young banker, was handsome to look
upon, and his manners were polished and
winning. A few interviews were sufficient
TO win tho love and confidence of Mabel
MAY. They were married and the bless
ings Of an old father rested upon his chill
dren bound together by the most holy tie.
A few weeks after the marriage, MabePs
father was called away from earth, and he
was laid in the grave, at the side of a fond
wife and mother that had slept there with
the white web Of many winters and the flow
cry web Of many summers upon her l~istless
breast.
Mabel was an orphan. Her only coun-
seller and friend was her husband. TIC
him she looked vita that calm and trusting
confidence that none but a wife can know,
and she felt that she was secure. His love
was the ark that, like the tired dove, she
few to, when the storms of life threatened
Herbert removed with his wife to a rich
ly furnished mansion in a fashionable par
Of the city. Gold and silver were invoked
toincreaseth happiness Of the young couple
The days were bright and fed on swift
wings. The grief incident to the death 0
a doting parent was soon lost In the wbir
Of pleasure and gayetJ. Balls and partie
we're attended and the fair Mabel from tn
mountains was introduced to fashionabl
society. She soou became a star Ia til
rich galaxy Of fashion in the gay metrop'
lis. Her society was courted and fatterel
1.uual "a - .,.no,lv al~,no IIarba,E ~,
at first proud Of the homage shown b
wife but, ere he was aware of it, jealou:
had found q place 10 his breast aud its pc
son cmbittered his very soul He nurs,
the base passion in secret until it burnt
his bosom like a glowing furnace and stul
like a deadly serpent. Mabel saw that
change was fast coming over her HUSBAND
but in the innocence and purity of her q
ture, she knew not the cause.
Memory, ever busy, carried her back
the bright and blessed days of her childhoo
and the pleasant years she spent with tho
who loved hcr within the walls of the G
Academy. She pressed the grief to b
bosom, as the wounded bird clasps t
deadly arrow, trembling in its side, with
W wing. Herbert did not smile up
her when he came to his home in the e-
ming, as in days of yore. He was cross a
grabbed ia his manners, which each d
added fresh pangs 10 her sorrow. WI
had she done ? What great error had 6
committed that had so estranged her OF
fond husband from herr She knew n
She knew that she was innocent of a
criminal offence, and no entreaty was S
fcient TO move her husband to reveal
torturing passions that were guawing
his own bosom. He had nursed that T
sion until ii was the haunting demon of
days aud the torturing spirit of his n
night dreams.
The splendid mansion, once the haven
rest, was now a gaudy hell to both 2
Mabel, she wept that she was misera
and that she had no friend to fly to
pour out from her soul the food of sor
that was drowning each sweet and b
hope of her young being. And Herl
fretted himself with his jealousy and
meditated revenge.
A year passed and a rosebud bloomeC
that desert home. An innocent being '
a soul to live forever Mabels eye
Mabers brow She loved her babe
as she gazed upon it, hope told a fatter
tale that Herbert would again love he
But, alas in this she was disappointed
If possible he became more than eve
tranged. ShO could bear it no longer
heart was so full that it overlooked and
confronted him.
ooh HERBERT said she, this il
very cruel in you to keep me in this h
bic suspense. What have | doncl A
the cause of this dark cloud that has
hung your brow so many weeks? If
tell me and let me atone for it will
tears. l stand before you, Herbert, n
a culprit; for every vow | made to yot
fore the man Of God at the Altar, il
broken in letter or in spirit. The pie
Of love / gave you when we wandere
gether along the meadow brook among
flowers in brighter, brighter days, yet
my heart with pure and holy bonds.
HERBERT and she laid her little hand
his shoulder, wrong me not in thong
The strong man hesitated and was N
by her appeal. A struggle was at "
his bosom. A struggle between his b
nature and his ruling passion. He rel
bered, Oh he remembered the me
brook and the daisies that glinted its g
banks, and the happy wanderings
young Mabel there. He almost rep'
Of his harshness, but the evil spirit il