Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-31

He was person of dignifed and stri-
king aspect, with a pale, lofty forehead,
large dark eyes, and thrown over all, a
sweet shadow of melancholy, that early
aff1iction SO purely stamps on the brow of
purity and truth; for although lovely
young creature had once called him hus-
band, and two happy children now looked
TO him as a father, yet the much loved
minister Of Christ had scarcely numbered
thirty summers.
MY dear Mrs. Davis, what can possibly
have happened to trouble you thus p he
kindly inquired, taking her prohered hand ),
cit grieyes me deeply to see you SO dis
tressed what can do for you ?
Alas, alas sobbed the widow, the
cares and perplexities of this sinful earth !!
the wickedness Of mankind in general i
There are exceptions know. o, yes, my
dear sir, there are those who can pity and
sympathize with the afflicted; and the
relict of the late Hezekiah raised her green
eyes to the face of the listener, with a look
of inexpressibly affectionate timidity, that
would have done honor to any graduate
from fashionable boarding school
1t is truly world of SIM replied he,
but may there not be also much of hap
piness here? God has surely given us
too beautiful world to be all darkness,
but my dear madam, there must be seme
immediate cause for these tears p
There is indeed, Mr. Russell answered
the widow, "a cause which [ trust is in
your power to remove. My darling Su-
sannah, my poor fatherless child O! my
dear sir, you will understand my feelings
on this subject has been openly in
suited before all her school mates, look
ing glass held up before her face, that she
might be laughed at by every boy and girl
far and near; and all too, by that impu-
dent hussy of school marin, who just
now told me, in reply to my inquiries
about the matter, that she always intended
to govern her school herself, without no
body's interference
The good ladys indignation had evi-
IDENTIFY gained the ascendancy over her
| discretion for she discovered in the pale
face of the person she addressed, a look OF
pain and anxiety. Seeing her mistake,
| she solicitously endeavored to banish from
his mind, remembrance of her vulgarity
/ by meekly remarking that, 10 be sure il
could never be expected that young, in
expeI fenced girl like. Miss Wilson shoulc
! understand such a sensitive nature as Su
sannah unfortunately possessed
- But what was your daughter offence
Mrs. Davis ? inquired the minister, 'ther
must surely have been some reason for al
this Miss Wilson could never have sub
jected her to this disgrace, but as merit
ed punishment
All, it is your own goodness of heart
! Mr.. Russell calculated the widow, as he
tears gushed forth anew, that prompt
you to judge so mildly of others but yo
T have no idea of the deceitfulness and al
of that girl. There was no cause [ assur
you, for the unjust treatment of my dal
ling. Susannah was always as mild as
dove, if she could only have her own wa,
) l have heard her poor, dear father remar
repeatedly that she inherited all her mott
, ers sweetness of disposition. O! what a
+ awful responsibility to be left in this wicl
ed world with the care Of daughter lik
! my Sasannah, to say nothing Of the estat
of twenty thousand dollars, which my des
6 departed husband requested to me entirel
o for the remainder of my natural life ,
! Here the perfumed handkerchief onc
: more found it's way to her overfowing eyes
n not that she'was in the least degree dissa
isfed with Hezekiah's will, but she kne
4 that she was dealing with the possessor
r tender heart, and she imagined Il
r readiest path. to it lay in a profusion
e tears.
( Il am truly sorry that this troub
e should have occurred between yourself al
y your daughters teacher; I will certain
speak with Miss Wilson on the subjec
" and sincerely hope we shall hear no mo
! of it, was Mr.. RussePs gentle reply, as
o bade the lady good evening"
e With one of her most gracious smile
,r and very many injunctions to take ca
of his precious health for his dear ch
at dren's S sake the widow reluctantly depal
- ed perfectly satisfied in her own mind, th
n she should at no very distant day take
,eI her abode at the parsonage, as It's mistre!
h and the wife of it's owner.
10 At the garden gate she met Charl
inst returned from school, and glanci
slyly over her shoulder, to assure hers
!. that the boys father remained, as she h
-. le1G ulnl, aU UHe uOOr, sic 1OItuW1Gn CO
& menced loading him with series of cal
:, :, and endearments, from which the CHI
:, - shrank with an instructive adherence.
- - 1t was all in vain, be would not be coaxe
% . and the whole artillery of sugar plum
: :. brought to bear upon him from the widoy
a1 ae pocket, could only extort the sage rema
= that he had given all his kisses to NJ
L Wilson,
y y Never mind,' thought the widow
ls ho she walked away, wait till | am "
no mother-in-law, master Charlie, and tt
y see how soon your Miss Wilson shall bud
~ bag and baggage
=, ~ The red sunlight faded into twilight, {
10 twilight into the deeper darkness of event
The moon came mounting up from its oc'
las bed, decorating the borders of the few st
ect clouds yet lingering in the east with fri
,or of silver brightness higher and higher
Ok air she sailed, tinging with portion of
"A own glory, hilltop and valley, lofty spire
nu lowly dwelling, and Wrapping the wi
Il world, as it were, in the broad mantle of pc
1ld and beauty.
Still stood the pastor at his cottage
,er- pondering, ruminating, his sthoughts enti
ketl withdrawn from the world without, and b