Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-01-10
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ROMANCE REAL LIFE.
In one of the largest8of our commercial
cities there lived, few years since, a rich
old merchant by the name Of Bremen. He
was considered good in mercantile phrase
for half million or So Now, he had not
acquired all this by any sudden and unac-
countable freaks of fortune, but by long
and persevering course Of industry. He
had attended closely to his business, had
practiced at the outset the most rigid econ
omy, had been punetual to his engagements,
had dealt honestly with buyers and sellers,
had entered into no hazardous speculations,
and though he had met with disappoint-
ments and reverses like many others, he
found himself at the sixty third year Of his
age in possession of an annual income OF
some thirty thousand dollars
. Our OLD friend was regarded by some as
: rather odd in his ways He generally talked
: but little, yet always to the point. He
j hated long stories with perfect hatred,
;, and was more than once known to interrupt
;. an agent in his rehearsal Of the wants of
= some benevolent society, by placing ten
: : or twenty dollar bill over his mouth, and
. then turning quietly around to his desk
: Nobody found fault with him for such things,
% It was Paul Breman's way, people said
;s every one has his peculiarities.'
- The house of Mr.. B. was rather mod
- est looking tenement considering his in
II come and the expectations of certain class
- of people called the world though it
- comprises in reality only very small por-
~ tion of mankind. 1t was large enough, ne
~ said, and good enough for himself and daugh-
bo ter, an only child, reader, and the only
m he tenant of his really fine dwelling, besides
- Ainsslf and servants, YssTs had passed
seed in good soil; and as the daug ghter
es- grew up into life, the fruits of christian
nd mothers care and prayers were seen in all
is their richness and beauty.
er- And now, after this general introduction,
he | must make you more particularly acquain-
tie ted with Annie Brennan. Of course you
in will want to know great many things
,ro- about her, and will do my best to afford
YER you satisfaction.
ice, cannot tell you whether her eyes were
our black, blue or grey; whether she was of
. dark or light complexion. People differ s.
much as to what and who may be beautiful
that [ shall not undertake to express an,
opinion in regard to this matter so far a
Annie is concerned. Those who knew he
best, said that she was beautiful, very beau
re- tiful but they may have been partia
lak- friends. OF one thing I am certain, sh
for was good and if beauty and goodness ar
un- synonomous terms (Which some viii deny
End. then she was beautiful. She was good
ded she was a sincere Christian, the highes
ON. form of goodness in this world Like he
- father, she was accounted something Of a
rood oddlty, but not by those who were well az
iyen quainted with her. That she should NOV
YOU in the sphere Of the millionaires and ha
ham millionaires, and yet manifest anything lik
evon asChrlstlan character, would by some
Our accounted sufficiently odd without anythin
lille. else to add to it. One who well knew b,
der man nature, once said, that they who hay
rore riches enter the kingdom Of God hardly
eed, But Annie had entered it, and thus fulflle
H. those other words which fell from the san
ami lips, that with God all things are possible
pro- Annie had arrived at the mature age
here (do not start reader, twenty-seyen, al
pur. was yet in state of single blessedness.
with Somehow or other she had not even fallt
IS of in love as yet. Had she no offers r.
ways What simple question: Did you ev
wide know half million of dollars to 90 a be
caus- ging? Offers Yes, scores of theta.
skin may be accounted as one of her odditie
the perhaps, but whenever the subject happen
Ill at to be touched upon by her father, Ann
iden- would say that she wanted some one VI
bris- could love her for herself, and she mu
lcity, have the assurance of this, and how cou
lined she in her present position? Thus matte
ems; stood, when Annie was led to form and
MT execute what will appear very strange
hips: solution; but she was resolute girl. Y
/ leg must now 60 back six years.
wide One dark, rainy morning in Novemb
ellow as our old friend was looking composed
nd a at the cheerful fire in the CRATE of his cou
varia ing room, and really indulging in some
,ribed rious reflections on the past and the futu
hand the far future, too, gentleman presen
ID in himself and inquired for Mr.. Brennan
lently The old man uttered not word, but me
cattle ly bowed There was that IN his loc
IS so which said am be-
The stranger might have been some tt
if we ty years or SO of age. He was dressed
uriant black, mourning weed was on his hat, ;
supply there was something, IN his appeara
Dts in which seemed to indicate that the fri,
as. in whose loss he deplored had recently dep
led by ed. The letter of introduction which
makes presented to Mr.. B. was quickly yet c.
lantity fully perused, and as it was somev
Old unique, I shall take the liberty of subj
otel in ting it to the inspection of the reader.
earned IL no., 18-
She FRrENn PAuT,-Tbis will introduc
remote thee friend Charles Copeland. He