Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-09-15
MISCELL hNEOUS.
A RICH OLD u N { L E
AND A BILIOUS FEVER.
BY our FAMILY PHYSICIAN.

Linda Ray was scarce seventeen. Beau
tiful as an houri. oil course, as all heroine,
are. But more than this Linda had mind
aud heart OF goodness, as we'll as person.
ally beautiful.
She was The brightest scholar OF Mrs.
-'s seminary, was the joy Of her
father, the pride OF her mother, and the
go-between and con6danl of score oil
little Rays--ber NOISY young brood OF
b. oihers-aud the friend aud consoler OF
all the poor and distressed who came ilh-
in her knowledge.
LINDA was engaged" to young Siocum,
an embryo lawyer OF fashion and Of some
talent, who had only the slender income OF
his profession 10 depend upon. but which,
added 10 the modest liule fortune Of Lin
ia, would enable The young couple TO live
quite comfortably"
Ii was now in The ftful month OF Apr.l.
The following June was 10 witness the
bridal Of LINDA aud her lawyer lover. upon
which event the happy pair were TO star,
for "ihe Springs"
Linda looked magniiicently Oh horse
back, and on this April morning, indulsins
in her iavorie exercise. she was sitting
like the queen Of beauty, growing with
Joy upon the back Of her malchlcss bay
The most knowing and graceful piece Of
horseilesh to be lighted or by fond and
ihdulgent parent.
Young Slocum was by her side, and was
descantirg upon the beauty ofthe 'morn-
i've and The beauty Of the "mo,ntng queen,
when suddenly the latter sped from his
sight ike the mornings breeze. Linda's
"bay" had taken fright, and was II, ing
through the air, scarce touching the paw
ing stones, at fearful speed. "She will
be thrown and killed land Slo~una 5
heart as he exclaimed lhus-o, the place
wnese his heart shoul1t have been--beat
with feeling akin 10 despair.
When, however Siornm arrived some
three or tour miles further, towards the
edge of the city, scene INST bis view tina
called up other emotions inan those OF
pleasure al the safety OF his beloved.
Linda WAS seated upon the turf, ,ecin.
ing against the trunk Of tree. A tall
handsome stranger was bending over her,
LAYING her brow with water and pouring
the magnetism Of his warm lie into her
fain,ing energies.
The look-the strange mysteriou, loak
that OF soul recognizing soul " hica pass.
ed between them when Linda opened heI
eyes full upon him, haunted Young Slo-
cum like a disagreeable nightmare ioi
months after.
The next day, the tall. handsome stIan'
ger called upon the the lovely girl he hat
rescued from certain death, 10 inqniie aiieI
he: health.
Some how or other It was full three
hours before the "cal"' was concluded -
Time had passed so pleasantly in that easy
flow Of thought and sentiment, where sou
met lis kindred that both we're suptistt
at its rapid flight.
Again and again they met, always talk
ing as though they had been friends iorey
er; so uDcontrained aud easy was the inter
change OF thought between them. 1t gen
orally happened too, by some strange
chance, that Slocum was either out on SOM
fishing excursion. or something OF the sort
whenever the tall. handsome stranger cal!
ed upon the brde-rleet.
The middle of May arrived. The wed
ding day was drawing more and more near
In maze OF bewildelment the Young be
trothed awakened as from suddeI
dream.
"Do love him well enough to become
lis wife 2" asked she Of her own heart.
Alas deeper depth had been sounded
in that heart. A deeper depth than thu
shallow line OF the groom-elect could hopt
to sound.
Blu, the spirit that had taught her-ht'
own heart--that had taught her the mean
ing ofthe word LovE-the tall and hand
some stranger-he had gone as he came
Business had called him 10 distant coun
Try and chime.
True, he had never spoken OF love, bu
when he was gone, Linda had found t,
her d smay thai he had taken her hear
with him, and that Siocum seemed TO hel
now nothing more than sort, Of atoma,ol
man, brsinless and heartless.