Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-08-22
&eautifltl Sto1,p,;
LIGHT AND SHADE.
OR, CoNTENTMENTTH THE FRUIT OF RESIG-
NATION.
PART FIRST.


full, in high health, energetic, and ue.hear-
ted. "a lovely sight, indeed! handsome
couple" whispered one and another in the
gaping crowd that, on such occasions, gen.
orally fills the house Of ceremony and they
were not meaningless remarks. :.
As. the two appeared at church, on the
next Sabbath; she with her kirtle of pure
white, and her sweet, innocent face just
glimmering through her snowy veil, and he
with his brown home.spun (which his moth
er, good woman, had made with her own
hands) fitting his tall and really elegant
figure everybody wished them long life
of happiness.
Not one of Caspar's rivals hated him ;
none of them.but forgave Lucia in his heart
for pre(erring one obviously superior in all
respects. although each would bave run a
gauntlet $50 they said, at least for the prize
: of that fair hand, which, though tine fingers
were hoopcd neither with jewels nor gold,
was as pretty a hand as one would wish
to- see.
Both, then, were happy, and, what is bet
ter, both were resolved, come what would;
to keep happy. To be sure, each had faults
of which the other was aware time and petty
trials would discover.
Here, then, was the secret of their depen.
dence:. on happiness for" all future time.
They had estimated each others faults and
virtues, and cooly concluded that. neither
was an angel; that they were yet mortals,
not even defed by the rhapsodies of love,
and prone, consequently, to all the liabilities
OF this mortal state.
So, when Casparstroked, the rich golden
hair Of his young bride, land calmly blessed
her. as his wife, she felt that name to be a
holier one. than all the fancy. titles which
humanity in general-married humanity, in
particulars prone to bestow on its objects
of affection. Behold them, then, in a new
settlement, where Caspar had determined to
nmake his fortune. Their cottage was situa-
LIED back on q pleasant road sacirclgds sbXs
gfacsfut trses a very aiadlse arohhd tip i!
sgsFdafe, a very gem 81 sneasneas within;
very Eden where the angels of love aud
harmony held its inmates in their holy keep
ing.
Caspar prospered even more than his heart
had desired. He began to increase in wealth
his lands were fruitful, he was honored with
titles; and the villagers dofed their hands
as they met him, and paid him the true no.
mage which the great by nature always
command. But it brought no change to
him, save that, if possible, he was more de.
voted to his Creator, kinder, and yet more
gentle, to his family, as, one by one, new
ties bound him to earth.
"-Caspar," said his mother, when he left
her to tread an untried path, "whatever you
do, whatever you become, bear lowly
heart, my son; for they in whose souls,
spring the violet humility are always blessed.
Remember, Caspar, these are your mothers
parting words: be lowly in spirit"
= Caspar's wealth rapidly increased, and he
lived now in the 'squire's mansion, a large
handsome frame building, situated on
beautiful knoll, and commanding glorious
prospect of mountain, vale, and river. Fur
.nished with taste and elegance, it was
rare retreat for choice spirits; for those
- whose souls were kindled at the altar of geni-
Us, Attached to this was fine conserva-
tory filled with brilliant plants and flowers,
about whose mingled hues sang hooking
. bird and the golden-breasted canary; and
the wee humming. bird fitted among the
flowers, revelling in sweets congregated
: from the four quarters of the globe.
Lucia moved among her servants their
superior, yet equal, if | may use terms so
contradictory. They venerated her as a
E mistress, while they loved her with touch
ine love, as if she had been sister. Lucia.
indeed, governed well. Guided by her per.
feet will, all things took the shape and sound
Of harmony. Her household might be liken
ed 10 sweet and golden harp, on which
she was the rare and always faultless per-
former. No harsh notes, no jarriug discord,
>discomposed the order of her governing sys.
tenn. Gentleness was her wand of love,
eentleness her rod of correction. Smiles in
the sunshine of her presence seemed playing
over even inanimate things, and the good.
ness and purity of her lovely spirit bound all
together as with mystic chain. Even the
!" stranger within their gates was drawn
into the charming circle, and left it loving
and wondering.
Oh! the beautiful order in families where
hearts are truly united, and "pure religion
and undefiled before the Father" cements
/: the bond of union. Stay thy ruthless hand,
fierce reforn,er! Pause before scene like
this. where angels in human form, linked to
Heaven by virtues stronger than adamant,
make efhome the ark of safety, the abiding
place Of love. All may be thus, if they will
but listen to the dictates of conscience, and
cultivate,Swith assiduous care, the tenant OF
this frail tabernacle,the soul. So may we
make our Heaven and wo to us, thoug it
is in our;power, if We create for ourselves
condemnation.
Certainly some were enyious. Is it not
always the casea Some, who by badthrifts,
and minds unequal to cope with those adver-
sites that prove men, as fire purifes gold,
said it was no wonder they were so happy,
loving, good, and all that "But let the
'sduire come down. they croaked; "let
hin, be pinched with poverty, or lose, even,
the eleeancies of life to which he has been
accustomed, then where will be his constant
happiness; his serenity of mind, which, he