Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-17
LADIES' DEPARTMENT..
Written for the Spirit Of the Age.
CAROLINE LESLIE;
oh
TRIAL AND CONQUEST.
BY LYDIA \. NORTON.
CHAPTER ].

via AIA
Twas a lovely June morning Ia l83-.
The sun, Just peeping above the wood crown
cd heights Of the green mountains, was tint
ing the brown walls of widow Belford's cot
teee, and the forest which stretched beyond
TO the base Of the mvuntains, and the fields
Of waving grain in front, with a rich golden
hue. The cottage was old and weather
beaten, but its deformity was at present en-
tirely hidden by the snowy blossoms of the
rose bush which clambercd over its W U.s.
In front Of the cottage door ran a low porch,
on which stood the widow Bedford with one
hand she grasped the folds ofthe blue.checked
apron which she had thrown over her head,
the other was placed above her eyes, to screen
them from the rays Of the sun. Her quick
restless eyes were scanning the garden in
front, and the field in the rear of the cottage,
atlength clearing her throat, she seemed re-
solved TO try the effect OF her voice, " Caro-
line" she called in quick impatient tones,
but the monotonous tinkle Of the COW bell, or
the carol Of some merry robin, was all the
reply that met her cars. After q prying
search behind the shrubbery, on the hay
NOW, and up the cherry tree, which proved
as f~ruitless as her calling, she entered the
cottage. "Was there ecer such q trying
Young one" soliloquized she, rs she vigo-
rously commenced setting things to rights
in the kitchen.
In the meantime, quietly sitting in one OF
the shadiest glens of the mountain forest, was
the little truant, Caroline. She had thrown
of her pasteboard sun bonnet, and her brown
hair, which the Widows skilful hand had
plated so smoothly IN hour before, now lay
IN tangled, wayy disorder over her neck and
shoulders; she was not beautiful, her tra
lures were too irregular to style her thus,
but there was n glorious fash in her clear
hazel eyes, and a proud, almost defiant toss
Of the head, that marked her from oil other
children. But Notwithstanding the wlii"l
flashing Of those eyes, the voice OF Affection
would instantly bring the love-light To their
depths; but alas for the little one, it was
very seldom that she was greeted in tunes Ut
love. for she was an orphan, and the Widow
Be! d, to whose carcshe was intrusted, be-
il g hear relative, was II firm believer in the
theory, that the only way to make children
mind is to whip them. From this manage
ment Caroline's wilful heartrcbclled, andeact
succeeding day Widow Beltord, whose in
%tentions to tho Orphan were really kind
found more and more ground for complain
and the culprit disdaiuing to listen to TIT
charges brought against her, would absen
herself for hours from the cottage, emploYip;
her time by running races with Carlo, n larS
New Foundland dog " almost or quite, til
only thing the child loved" the widow de
clurrd or sometimes she would i%earlesSl
climb the lofty forest trees, in search .
squirrels nests, or regardless Of the Widow
orders to " stop" would chase some unfortt
nate chicken about the farm yard, till sh
had captured it. Bat she was lot always !
\ romping mood, sometimes when III I'll
,leep forest, u dreamy look would gather
err brown eyes, and she would lie on Il
isoss for hours looking up Mt the sky like OF
!tscinatcd, till n burst of tears would relic
l~~, and while she sobbed herself quict, 81
I'D form many resolutions " to he goa1
tut the first fretful word that her guardii
" red, dissipated all the dawning good.
80 ON this lovely morning, she was in y
w her widest moods, she had raced WI
, 10 til 1s bad st2pBsJ. ddEo@ae sheer dtaJtllSsY
L.r little bare feet half hidden in his shay
coat she had initiated the robins song t
he had almost hushed his own melody to
ten, and now she was weaving n wreath
honcysuckle to adorn the crown of her 81
bonnet, in the meantime talking to Carlo
a language which he seemed to undcrstal
for his intelligent eyes were earnestly fix
upon her face. liza, Carlo" laughed 81
"tired are you 2 and | not out OF breath
bit; ! told you you needn't try to beat, |
you would do it. Wonder what Auntie's
ing now, hunting ns, / guess, ha, hal
Caroline's laugh was quickly checked,
she heard the well known step of her Al
behind her. She was OH her feet in an insti
and flying with the s~wiftness Of a SOUR
through the forest, but ere she had fled
two strong arms held her in spite of
angry struggles, and II strange though pie
ant voice greeted her ear.
"Well, my little Ledy, SO I've captu
you Mt last, but I'll own you have the adv
tage, for my breath is almost gone, and
are as fresh as a rose"
Caroline looked up and encountered
gaze Of two roguish black eyes, whose gla
was 80 altogether pleasant that she half
got her anger"
"Come, little one," continued her cap
"sit down here on the grass beside me-,
talk to me some, or | shall incline to I'll
you area fairy, after leading me such a v
goose chase. just now, the Widow joi
them painting and fatigued with her ]
walk. Caroline started to run, but soc
her guardian too tired to chastise or 81
her, she stood with downcast eyes, cas-
furtive glances from under her long lashe
the stranger.
IS you good-for-nothing little runav
/ got you at last" said the widow, as s
as she had recovered breath enough to vi
and here's Herbert Grahame, your
mothers cousin, that you heardme tell o
much, come all the way from Virginia 10
you, and find you in such a plight. Loo
that apron, cleanthis morning, and your
like n brush heap, and I'll answer for it
your bonnet's lost"
Caroline, before this, had always b.
her Aunt's scolding indifferently, but ne
painful flush mounted to her cheek, and
tears came in her eyes, but she tossed
head dehantly and pouted her rosy lips.
Excuse her this time Auntie," %interp,
the young man gaily, " well promise I
more careful when we roam the woods
time, Won't we little cousin ?" he drew
upon his knee as he spoke, and began sno
ing her tumbled locks. The kind words,
pleasant smile almost bewildered the
child she looked in his face with ouive
lips, then in spite Of all her efforts burst
tears.