The American patriot., 1855-07-07
THE AMERICANPAT
For the American Patriot,
Tho Students Vow.
HY "ALLA."
( Concluded.1

BIZ " ALA.
- mr. t'-.".
Concluded.l
In strangers land, where the turbid waters
the Mississippi rush to join the foam mounted steed
Of the Gulf-wherc the proud Magnolia wears its
crown Of imperial blossoms, and the Orange and
Pomegrante mingle their boughs-where the SUM-
ny sky bends lovingly over the undying summer,
and nature triumphs in her uxurance--we have
met again the heroine of our tale.
Three years have plumed their wings for the re-
gions of the past, and the self-exiled Eta is on
the eve of departure for the shrine Of her girl
hoods years.
1t is the sombre hour when memories Of the
past throng the swimming brain, clothing it with
light or darkness, when the bright ideal dreams
our childhood imaged, reappear in the gallery Of
the mind-not in their original lovelncss, but de-
faced by engthcning shadows, and blotted by the
crasing hand Of earths unseen yet ever present
Chronicler. The amaranthine bowers, resoundng
to the voice of mirth and merriment, tadeless now
sparkling with the pearl dew-drops of early morn,
and the rosy atmosphere envelopng and subduing
with its genial influence every object and pursuit
Of lfc's golden play.hours - these no longer
breathe from the canvass as in "byc-gonc days"
Alas that we should cling with such tenacity to
world in which changes like these can dwell
Bitter emotions pervaded the heart of Eta, as
she contemplated leaving the congcnial associations
that clustered around her adopted home in the
Sunny South" Here had she woven full many
chosen wreath Of happiness, but sterncr duties
badc her hence What if hers had been the mr.
duous task Of leading young mind along the stream
Of science. What if she had taught the knowledge
cleaner that progressive intellect must take broad
creation for the subject Of its investigations, must
search the deep caves and subterranean passages
Of earth, and had stimulated and aided the ambi
tious student in his laborss What if she had
taught aspiring talents to scale Parnnssus lofty
heights, or gather gtterng gems from the ocean
Of TRUTH Had it detracted from her pleasures or
caused the hours to wear wearily away Not SO.
While imparting knowledgelto others, she had been
collecting materials of rare value to herself 10
strengthen her along the pilgrimage Of life.
"You are sad tonight my dear Miss Etta,"
said the fair Berta, the friend and pupil of the
young teacher, as she passed an arm gently round
her waist, and proposed promenade down the
broad Catnlpn-shaded avenue. 1--WE shall miss
you so much; no one can supply your place. and
shall be so lonely! No one ever understood me
as you have done, or sympathzed in the deep, fer
vent longngs Of my soul like yourself. Together
we have watched the stars as they have hung their
lamps one by one, in heavens blue dome, and
gazed upon them shrouded in their silent wtchcry,
as they seemed whispering of their far OF homes.
We have sighed together while viewing the Or
phan moon, as she retired to weep over the graves
of her buried dead, and exulted when she reap.
pcared weaving the stars at random round her
brow We have viewed the whitecapped thun.
der-clouds; heard the rumbling jar of their fire.
shod coursers bounding over the ETHEREAL plains,
and listened to the raging tempest, roaring on It's
track; we have heard the matn song which ma
lures ten thousand voices sing in her awakening,
and listened to the vesper hymn which she chants
when closing the portals Of light. Indeed I'VE
have been friends together When my inspira.
ton is withdrawn, life will wear away without my
finding (as you say) any niche worth seeking for.
But no! such must not be the result of your la.
bors. You have taught me nober aims for life,
and since your memory is enshrncd n sacred keep.
ing shall ever have present some incentive to
good plich constitutes ROMANS claim to greatness
You will not forget, Miss Eta, our proposed tour
to Rome--that we are to wander among its ruins,
trace its works Of art, and worship together be.
meath the dome Of St. Peters,
| You will yet be convinced of the purity of our
religion, for will pray to the Mother of Mercy
for you; her intercessons never fall"
eyes, Berta, we shall meet again." said Eta,
yet the vague thought of meeting does not de-
tract from the pain Of parting. When ! see you
again, the circumstances of each will be materially
altered J. at least, shall be changed, for nature
like mine finds no medium. A few weeks will de-
termine if the extreme Of sorrow or of Joy is to be
my lot. "Yet one thing, Berta, can never be
Catholic" The more see of Popcry, the closer
cling to Professionalism there are errors in every
church; but ! now perceive by contrast how sc.
verey pure is my own"
Untringly have labored to reconcile its rigid
restrictions, but all in vain! Why should endorse
that which casts mildcw over all the bright prom.
ises of my lfe9
| "'Twas but moment Ger her soul
Winters OF memory seemed to roll,
Congcaling AZ they flowed"
Yet, Berta, "see that can smile," and raising
her lashes, heavy with the "dew of purer thought"
she continued, 81 have told you OF my early :te--
of my sad orphanage, and OF the golden cup flied
with heavenly nectar that the Gods permitted me
to taste ere it was rudely dashed from my lips"
81 fear you dwell too much among the shadows,