The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-06-06

the priest was ready-we stood before him
the ceremony was begun. Suddenly a
thought seized mel snstched the veil,
which doubted not, concealed the love-
hest the most angelic features, under the
sun } from her face, and oh! the. horror oi
that moment, it was black! Yes, as black
as the ace of spades. rushed from the
house, leaving the astonished comp any
too much surprised to follow, and in two
hours was ascending the Mississippiriver
as fast as steam could carry me. -Si5
% God! she cannot be an African; and
yet she is black! And | have loved thai
being to Distraction! deserve the whole
Of it-l might have known that thar eter-
nal black veil hid some distortion or de.
formity! But, to have been thas duped,
is enough to distract one possessing a
much reater proportion of patience than
* ever did. I'll forget it ell, and 60 home
and content myself y
Two years passed by; all Of which time
| had been at home, trying to take the
world easy. and TO do things as other peo.
pie did. This found TO be no easy task;
| for all my previous life had been spent in
a hurry. | had long since given up all
idea of binding myself in wedlock's holy
bonds. had become disguised with the
fair sex, since had been 30 completely
duped, ais thought had been.
o! memory! thou choicest blessing,
| When joined with hope, when still possessing.
But how much cursed by every lover,
When hope is fed, aud passions over.
Business called mo to New Orleans
0. how wildly did each object ,hs4 me,
my view. bring before my memory the
scenes | had Witnessed there, and the
part had acted in those seen es two years
before. lfelt unhappy, knew not why
Mary Wilson, to be sure, was presented
frequently to my imagin alton; but not as
loved object-rather as one to be hated
which had materially disturbed my peace
One evening was walking the street
attending to some business, when saw a
lady whom knew to be Mrs. Wilson
coming towards me. ! attempted to pass
unnoticed. but she recognized me.
Follow me, said she, mildly.
! followed mechanically: we walked on
in silence, until we reached a house
which l2knsw to be the one from which
rushed so precipitately, two years before
%! MIR. Arlington said she, as we en-
tered, how fortunate it is met you
There has been an awful mistaks; We &C.
quit you entirely Of all blame. 'Twa.
our folly caused it-but all shall be ex'
planned. Remain here until return
She left mel felt bewildered. coult
not imagine what was to pay. However
| resolved to await the result, and to be
patient for once. She returned, and ia
king me by the arm, conducted ms
through several rooms.
Softly said she, pointing oui to me I
door which was little sjar. 'Lsol
through there n<a
Hooked, and saw the loveliest woman
ever beheld. sitting in profile TO me. She
was deadly pale; and | thought detected
on her check the traces oftears. stoot
like one entranced. i moved not
scarcely breathed for fear Of disturbing
the lovely object Of my silent admiration
Mrs. Wilson took my arm, and led mt
away into another room.
/ The lady you saw in that room is
'The most lovely being / ever beheld,
said |, interrupting her. For mercy
sake, tell me the meaning OF this.' 5
/ 1t shall ell be explained in due lime
sir. The lady you just saw is Mary Viii
I son, (be silont till get through,) M
daughter. the lady whose life you saved
4 the one to whom you were so nearly link
ling your fate, and whom you supposed t.
be negrsss.
+ For heavens sake. madam, let m,
throw myself al her feet, and ask her for
givepess!'
Wait moment. sir. till get through
She has loved, and still loves you to dis
traction
4 The explaaation is sufficient; tell tn
rest at some other time. Let me see my
much injured Maryl'
! Mary heard the talking, and had. oom,
out to see what was the matter. She ar
rived at the door Of tho room in which W
we're just as made my last exclamation
recognized me. rushed forward, and iain,
ed in my arms.
1t seems that, few days before my see
ing her at the Cathedral, Mary Wilson
had, in whimsica al humor, vowed neve
, TO unveil her face before. or permit it Il
be seen by any man, until she had change,
her state from single to that of doabl
blessedness; and, in order that she Nigh
! the more strictly and guardedly keep he
vow. she had covered her face, hands an,
neck, in strong chemical solution; tn
consequence Of which was, the changin
her skin from a very fair complexion L
the sable Of tho African. She would fan
have reiracted her vow after becoming &C
quainted with me. but as a. Catholic sh
: held i, sacred; so she continued to appl
the nitrate of sitter until the day appoint
ed for our marriage. intending to reves
: the secret after the ceremony. ] rscollect
ed that she always wore gloves. and keF
her neck covered in my presence. 81
y
4 The fire was burning cheerfully on tn
, hearth. | had just finished perusing tn
last Courier. My wife was married
!. was engaged at nsedle.work, when sud
. denly ] though, of New Orleans, and, Q
!. consequence. the black veil.
= Mary said !. turning 10 my wife
3 where is lha. singular, impen etrabls blac
i veil yon used to wear?'
l. -. .ls 8 ~ q