Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-02-21


Mansfield, and but for Sir Walter Carlton
benevolence would have been the child
of bitter dependence and misfortune
The packet was directed to 'my son.
Earnest's trembling hand broke the seal,
but his voice was more tremulous, as he
commenced its perusal-
The eye that now glistens with the tear
of maternal fondness-the heart that now
yearns with an untold love, and the hand
that now bids the utterance Of that heart
deep emotions, will each be commingling
with their mother earth, when thine eye
shall peruse the sad history of thy mothers
short life. Oh my son, would that | had
the strength of ready writer, that might
now pour fourth u, =. my gushing
!: Il j: /: {: : !: ! ! !! /
feelings for the lsGining
the dreary was Ian
be brief. Would" the
same power of as the
light web~of light am hose
feelings, which she possess living
so insidiously; but with natures dissolu-
tion can such power be granted to us, who
SO eagerly desire it whilst toiling the rug
ged ascent of time I was the child of in
dull gence, though not descended from IT,
tied line. My father bore on his escutch-
cons the unpretending device of honesty
neither the blood of heroes nor princes swell
led in his veins-but his pride and boast
were an upright soul and untarnished hon.
or. His estate lay adjoining that of Sir
Walter Cartoons, whose principal posses
sion was titled name. Such was of count
less price to one of his proud nature, tho
it gave him not his greatest wish-it salts
fed not his ambition for that more solid
possession, wealth.
In fortune he was a bankrupt to his, as
he thought, most humble neig ghbor but,
nevertheless, friendly intimacy subsisted
between them. Sir Walter had an only son,
several years my elder, who was my earliest
companion. Our childish intimacy was
unbrokcn by the least separation, until the
period arrived for young Walter to COM
mence his collegiate education. Afterwards,
there were many intcrims afforded us for
the indu gence Of our souls mutual over
flow of sympathy. We loved, but our love
was unsanctioned by parental authority,
and when the acknowledgment of our en-
Gagement was made, the chilling blight of
the 0cadliesS ~Tr --:-:4=. 2
for Sir Walter had destined his son for
another. Irene Irwin, his rich ward, was
preferred to Eugenia Mansfield the daugh
ter of mere landholder But although
Walter inherited some of his fathers pride
of birth, and some few of his faults, the
love ofthe dazzling metal was then unknown
to one of his true nobility of soul His
honor was too dear to sacrifice the happi
ness of another to the heartless wish of hi
father and IN proportion to the opposition
manifested towards me, so were his low,
and rebellion increased. When Sir Waite
found all his admonitions and entreaties un
available, his violence resorted to a bas
persecution towards my father; insult fol
lowed insult the vemomous breath G
SANDER was breathed upon his hitherto ur
stained character, until finally the noble
mans influence proved greater than th
integrity of my father, who, although
man of great personal courage, had not th
moral nerve to survive the unmerited oil
loquy which became attached to his nam,
His spirit sunk under the prosecutions an
many losses attending the downfall of h
reputation; and, although my anguish W;
so terrible on beholding the gradual deca
of his bodily and mental strength, yet
never could be induced to accede to h
beseeching appeal to resign all claim
: Walters love. In vain did he urge me
promise never to be bis .wife-the selfs
ness of my heart ira led its fllial d
voton to have 81 she former
t the latter, woul 5 the blottil
a out of that ligh Try to existenc
hope-aud to struggle against its cons
s quent da kness required more philosopl
o than my uncontrolled nature possessed
Thus stood matters, when Sir Walter, as
n last resort, succeeded in persuading his S
: to accept an appointment in the army
e some distant station; and he, burning
d be freed from the CALLING shackles of pare
e tai tyranny at home, gladly embraced t
70 opportunity of thus being independel
g Then came the agony of parting. VIII
= we dwelt upon the long separation of yea
l. he so eloquently pleaded to be united
IS me clandestinely that yielded my conse
with proviso that my father should b
d witness. l had only one objection, VIII
lie was, the necessity of the ceremony be-
as performed by Mr.. Malcolm, our you
lg minister, who had professed the most
es voted attachment for me. grieved to
Id fict so great pang upon his noble hear
at but when did love, such as ours, heed
= injuuctions of the golden rule The ev
IL ing previous to bis departure, was fixed
of our union. 1t came-but so great was
ed poor fathers agitation, whose objecti
lst Lad been overruled by our earnest :
ch suasions,] he could not leave his bed
This did not shake our resolution; fear
vs. We stood at his bedside, with only one O
i'd witness present. Earnest Malcolm c
the menced the solemn ceremony-the
be word of which was scarcely uttered, v
ing the door was burst open, and the infuri
ng- Sir Walter stood before his pale but
nto dauRted son. What language can dt
,pi- that scene | saw the raging hand Of
of father lifted against that son. l hear,
ain deep-mouthed' curse then memory
ere voice whispered thou art the cause
her THEE will the curse fall heard no I
ath- and when | awoke to reason, found
ID Earnest Malcolm beside me-my
orth Walter was gone. soon learned the