Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-01-24
gaSits' RECRUITMENT.
,%HR SOCIAL CIRCLE.
FOR II SPIRIT OF THE AGE
of Girlhood.
by INEz IRVING.

by INEz IRVING.
It was the hour of twilight-beautiful,
hushed, and shadowy. / sat upon the little
vine-wreathed porch, watching the creeping
shadows rs they waved aud mingled among
the elms.
No arrowy-moonbeam, fraught with silvery
light disturbed the brief reign Of pensive twi-
light; no starjewel rested its quivering ra-
dance upon her dark yet beautiful brow.
All, nonei Softly, silently, calmly, with her
glow-tinted shades, and sweet musings, held
she gentle sway over her mortal habitations.
Unthiukingly, my soul went out through
the dream-loving twilight, and opened n
pathway to the well-beloved plains of the
Past, that be MISUNDERSTANDING of the heart,
peop!sd with early loves and dreams, dim,
distant, yet cherished for ever-the lost Par
adise Of life. In those sunny, silver days, l
attended the beautiful and rural seminary of
L., with many young and lovely COM
panions. There are among schoolgirls, gen.
orally three particular Graces, without which
- deities the temple of instruction
- ssa6iRaE
could boast IL all three, NAMELY ;AHN1hty, a
wit, and o blue, all equally indispensable at
thor respective affairs.
Mabel L0riner, a stately, graceful Venus,
WIS W uGskAh1g hlA oAp 1850 -
favored appellation. She was a dark, fash
ing, magnificent creature, endowed with a
rich, glowing complexion, jetty hair and
eyes, and q certain half-pleasing, halt-proud
air. very winning TO us.
Fannie Travers was our blue a quiet,
gentle girl, who studied her lessons sufficient
ly to reoite for a halEdozen delinsuents, and
who always pursued the even tenor of her
way
But Nell -, saucy, wild Nell, she, the
merry, laughter-loving hoyden, was the most
Llithcsome, witty, little creature that ever
was, enclosed within the walls ola seminary.
She was our wit the plensure-b builder and
%fayorite Of all the school no teacher could
withstand her merry sallies or mock-coax-
ings no head or heart was proof against her
well-pOinted shafts Of wit and sarcasm.
We loved them all three, each so different
in her own sphere-Nell, with her willful,
capricious mirth Fannie so apt to win acer-
tain reserved corner in the heart and Ma
bel. so stately, proud, yet incomparably beau
tiful.
One lovely afternoon in summer, just be
fore the vacation was to commence, Nell,
Fannie, Mabel and / sat chatting together
idly beneath the trees in the park, our books
lying unopened beside us. For once we had
succeeded in drawing Fannie from her books
anu ION W. tkb GOANGIEinS bOHCthOA NAAtC
awaiting our hour for recitation. We spoke
Of our parting, and q shadow seemed tc
droop into NelPs flashing eyes and stealtheii
smiles away. A thought seemed to strike
her suddenly, and picking up one of hel
books, she asked me for my pencil.
Now, young ladies' said she, solemnly
with something Of her usual mock-gravity
Il nm going to mark down in this boon TIL
time Of the month and year, and | propos
that each one of us shall write underneath j
their dearest wish-provided they have any
We oil applauded this singular freak, an
each one appeared to obey.
Mabel Lorimer took the pencil first, an
thought for n moment, biting her coral III
Then she wrote, In q firm, smooth hand, til
words, "A queen to command writing M
name in full beneath it.
srf ASt4 q NJ Il. 6 5d 59y sir1 s1 nns1s, laugh laugh as :.
be- n Zenobia among thousands 7
Mabel answered the glance and the laul
with her proud smile, and bowed her he's
gracefully. So beautiful she looked, the
that we could not blame her in our hearts {
wishing thus.
Noll took the book with q grave air, yet
slight blush suffused her face as she wroI
There she cried, throwing back her he
and tossing her bright ringlets, 'tha
wish worth penning.' a heart were t
words traced upon the page, and the
witching little authoress laughed as heart
as If her spirit were free from the malice
such u wish-a school.g cir wish, truly
/ wrote mine beneath it, and would ha
avoided the scrutiny of Nelps dark eyes
it were possible; but her quick glance caue
the words, a name,' and, with a conf
expression, she bent towards me, whisperil
All! thou shouldst not deceive thy NJ
like department and deyout face, my DEM
maiden
The gentle Fannie took the book next
softenod shadow suffused her sweet face, 8
q pensive expression rested in her b
eyes then she wrote beneath ours, A hon
As each one read this wish, q certain
rowful feeling disturbed our gaiety. It SEE
cd so like a gentle reproof to our idle wish
for Fannie was an orphan, homeless
loveless-alone in the world. Two bri
crystal tears trembled upon NelPs sill
lashes, and rolled down her crimson chez
then dashing away, halfsurprised with
self, half-ashamed, she strove to regain
former brilliancy.
Closing the book, she handed it to me,
ing earnestly-'Here, take this book, and
member me sometimes and in after y
open il and read these wishes-then tur
the reality, and seeifthey have been fulfill
lhaye that book yet. have kept itsac
lyeyer since the day we parted from l.
Seminary. Yesterday, in looking
some old papers in my e%scritoir, / c
across this little memento offriendship.
emotion, sweet, yet mingled with pain,
tered my spirit, as | gazed upon those '
known names and beloved handwriting
Mabel Lorimerl Thou earnest before
in thy pride of youth and loveliness.
wish has been fulfilled, but how strang
In her youthful beauty she bestowed
hand and proud heart upon a young mi
lowly birth and fortune. Soon after
marriage he fed with her Jewels and me
leaving her forsaken. And now she n
in her humble sphere-beautiful, but il
depths Of poverty, a queen among the 10
o fZenobia among thousands
And Nell, capricious, laughter-loving
she has realized her youthful dreams
heart, kind, loving. sympathizing, &C
panies hers through life and the wild, 4
girl, now q sober matron, dwells conten
in her cottagc-home-happy in the 10
one true heart, and the caresses of her
ones.
Bot Fannie thou Of the sensitive
and mild countenance, hast thou realize
early dreams? All yesl n beautiful,
homo has been given thea stately
where are flowers and fragrance and
words. A crown of jewels also enc
those golden t~resses, and q white rob
been given 10 thee. such as only the hol