Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-04-25
0rigintI storp.
Arthur Bruce,
Or tne Reward Of Perseverance.
BY, RAEboM ESSAY.

(coSrNuED.)
The reader must now be introduced to /
the Quaker's Home.
q. Ii was a neat cottage, made with view
70 comfort rather than elegance; it was finely
painted, aud the deep dark green foliage Of
/. the e,eedars that clustered thickly near, con-
trasted richly with its snowy whiteness.
From the commanding eminence on which
il was built, could be seen wide scope Of
country--felds and woodlands hills ard
yellies "a the river rolling 2saE 'l 10 = &c
distanJt. It was mountain 'sHothes' atisi
waters dashing down from the sleeps and
craCs could be heard-and the tall dark
cliffs rising one above another in the dim
distance, could be seen. 1t was place
where the sublime grandeur of nature,
stretching away beyond the reach of vision,
impresses the heart of man with the omnipO-
tenco Of his Creator.
Around the gravel pathway that led to
the house we're profusion of gay flowers,
those sure evidences ola happy home, where
love and friendship reign supreme. A
verbcna vine in full bloom hung invitingly
from the portico, waving to and froin the
soft breczes as if sporting with the flowers
that looked smilngly up from below.
Upon entering the plain, but neat and
we'll furnished apartment, | was made ac
auainted with his wife aud daughter; the
former kind and matronly lady of Il very
cheerful and agreeable disposition, and the
latter a most beautiful girl of sweet six
teen, her form was Of exquisite mould
what a poet would call 0ngrLic. There wa!
soft dreamy brightness in her expressive
blue eye, that went with irresistible force
to the heart. Her ringlets of deep auburn
waved with true natural grace down he
rosy cheeks-and fell in silken folds upol
her bosom Of snowy whiteness. She wa
indeed lovcly-artless and winning in he
manners, gay and affectionate in her TEN
permanent, and soon found that her intel
lectual beauties were unsurpassed even b.
her great personal charms.
After supper, while | was engaged i
conversation with her mother, she approach
ed her father and seated herself by his side
and supporting her gentle head upon hi
aged bosom said in low voice:
Father, am 50 glad you have returned
YOU were 81 late we almost feared you ha
lost your way among the mountains
No, my dear Helen, said he, takin
her hand in his, was not lost, but sper
the day among the play grounds of m
childhood, where memories dear to m
heart, and vivid as the scenes of to-day, sti
cling
But was it not very lonely father; wi
did you not take me | would have be-
some company to you !?
'You could not, my dear, have well Dor
the fatigue of the journey and besides
wished to spend one day alone among t
proudest temples of nature, where | mig
in silence glance back into the teeming pa
and forward, rs far as human vision C
peuetrate, into the uncertain future
The young stranger, father, was he !
with you 2 aud Helen cast glance towal
me.
'Not till evening, and then we met !
der the shade Of the old beech at the sch
house on the mountain side, where
time was pleasantly spent in relating
history of Arthur Bruce-of your MAJ
sake, and' here [ noticed blush play
a moment on the blooming maiden's che
And of Edwin, said she, interrupt
her father, while her eyes were turned v
an enquiring look upon him.
'No, my dear, but why should | not
and he throw back her clustering ringl
and laid his wrukled hand affectiona
on her smooth forehead.
'Only because said Helen somev
embarrassed, and evidently desirous
changing the subject, - But, father,
going to preach at our church on next
bath, and she arose to feed her lin
which were singing in their cage near
Why the lovely Helen should be affe
at the mention of Arthur Bruce's nan
know not, but such at least plainly
to be the case.
The old man aud myself sought tn
azza where having seated ourselves in
pleasant moonshine, he drew his chair
me and commenced:
For a few days after Arthur had S
the life Of Helen, his praises were upo
tongues, but alas for poor human na
how unstable is mans gratitude and ;
tiou
The school examination was to con
in few weeks after this, and as there
a medal offered for the best compos
all became equally anxious to secur
prize. Tom, who for week after the
above narrated, had treated Arthur
the greatest respect, became more and
.disrcspectfui to him as the time drew
a. he was we'll aware that his prospec
gaining the prize were far inferior t
dhur's. This created GOODNESS q
part that finally led him to forget his
Use.
He one day approached Arthur W
.provocation aud said with the utmo:
tempt, Little Arty, did Your drur
write your composition yet? Arty'll
won he. aEd he sent glance of m
irony aud contempt aroundelmong th
pluy.
Ny very soui seemed on fire wit
at this ungenereus expression, but
not express my feelings, for l was
boy and Tom was almost grown.
largest boy, he was regarded as a
king, aud as his father was rich, n
the boys would act, though cont
conscience-as he acted. So many
boys with Tom at their head set up
cry Df little Arty' drunkard