The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-05-16
THE NIGHT OF LIFE.


who walked through pover,y's dark val,
ley, desolate and alone; not one OF those
sad souls who dwell face to face with care
and want, and misery, who despairingly
70 on through life, toiing. suffering. and
enduring; who by wi,hered hopes, and
bligh,ed joys. and crushing labor, lose all
faith; whose life is very WEAKNESS. and
who long, but long in va.n, to die. Wealth
had ever gladdened her pathway, and
smiles ever greeted her; and she had
grown in childhood's freshness TO the
deeper beauty Of maidenhood, the ad.
mired and lovely.
: Yet there was void in Linda's hear,
which wealth, with its gifts. could not FL;
. longing for love more deep. more beau.
siful. than she had ever known-a ycarn-
ing for a fount OF affection as yet undis.
covered, for words and accounts of en-
dsarment, which had never sounded in
her ears. She found no sympathy with
her cold. stern aunt. the only relative she
had ever known; none with the villagers
in their business and exci,ement; and with
yearing. passionate desire for some OBJ
iect to be loved, her life went slowly OH.
So she made friends with the quiet rivers
and mountain crags; and as OH the faces
stars: but no heart from them gave back
tho affection which she had banlshed; and
her soul was still uasaiisfied.
or the mother Of her childhood there
fingered no remembrance, save in quiet
twilight there would rise up before her a
sunnier and iairer land. where no cold
snow Tell, nor blighting frost, but the air
vas s,ill aud balmy. Tlfen as forgotten
dream would come lace surprisingly
lovely, with deep Italian eyes like her
own; and would seem to hear soft and
thrilling voice warble some simple strain.
and by her side young mistress gazing
musingly on the glorious face; and words
of love were min gled with the mothers
sang, as she lulIed her child to rest. and
al was blissfol and happy. Then proud,
and quick step. which blanched the beau
iiful cheek. and made the other clasp his
hand on his sword and seek TO lly. but i,
was unavailing. and there stood man in
the midst, with cold, calm eyes. wondrous
IL like those OF her aunt. There were
bitter words and passiona ate breaihngs.
and quick movements there, and the sharp
stiietto did double vengeance, and the
warm life blood flowed, and the child was
alone with the dead.
In her earlier life. this had been to Lin
da bur as dream: with her years it had
dsspened its impression. and she now
felt il as dark reality. Once. on calm
starry evening, she ventured to ask her
aunt Of her father aud mother, so long
gone, but she never repe ateh the question;
for q dark frown rested on Mrs. Clinton 5
lorehe ad. and her cold gray eyes were
fixed on Linda; and after silence thai
seemed the lapse Of wears. she said
..Speak Of them no more! The past is a
scaled up book! Know. child. there is
agony in that bitter past which ! would
close from you for ever!" And so Linda
dared to talk no more ofthat vision which
had interwoven itself into her own being
Of which she thought first at clear NOR
ming, and last at s,illy evening Bu'
.rfhought did its office all the more perfectly
-aow that the tongue was fettered. and i
.sneulded and fettered all her life. "Moth
ss, gentle mo,her," she murmured. Iva.
,,ky dark fate prophecy OF mineT'
- Il was one ofthose calm, balmy autumn
days, when deihroned summer seems Il
come back 10 regain her crown. that Lin
do wandered forth in the solitude OF he'
aunt's vide domains. The day went on
= and tho holy sunset came, and long shad
ows from the glarng tree.tops fell on the
,lsaf-strewn ground; bat still she fingered
|. ;waichine natures fading glory. "Green
!. green hills. and quiet woodlands. cannot
!. 70 SPEAK back TO met" said Linda. 81
am lonely. very lonely. and there is nough'
10. love me but mother Nature!' But q
sudd on sound Of rus,ling among the leaves
made the maiden s cheek grow pale; and
vbsu, raising .hoss deep 'snguid eyes