Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-05-02
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY,,

beautiful in nature and art was SO richly dis
played. She said that her flowers were the
companions of her lonely hours-that when
sorrow and gloom eosershadowed her mind,
she always found aresdy balm and sweet
solace in the gay and cheerful presence Of
their friendly society. Well might spirit
SO loving and gentle as hers, hold commu-
Mon and find cornpanionship with the fair
objects of her ROSY bower! We had just re-
turned to the piazza, when, casting my eye
down the long avenue of cedars that ex-
tended from the house door to ,he outer en-
closure of the yafd, j observed stranger
drive up and dis.nsnnt at the gate. A
young gentleHisss be with Us directly, :
miss, hasten, or your aowers will not he ar
ranged, said ! sportisely. as turned to
the fair Helen, who was busily engaged in
preparing bouquet.
But am through frst-it is finished
now!' said she looking up with smile
Seeing the young man approaching, her eye
sparkIed with JOY and she exclaimed in a
! voice of ecstasy. 1t is Edwin! n,y Edwin =
and lightly as air she sped to meet HMM
a moment they were locked in each others
embrace. Blame her not, ye devoted de-
cipIes of band -box-formality! Wonder
not at the warm outgushings Of pure devo-
ted hearts! It was the happy meeting. af-
ter long separation of true lovers, whose
hearts were early plighted.
When they entered the house, | was in
trocuced to Edwin Bruce-for such Helen's
Edwin proved to be.
| i Of IL
manners-frank, manly and open hearted in
: disposition, and in every sense, richly de-
serving the old mans highest laudations.-
He was richly, but not extravagantly dress.
ed-of tall commanding figure, possessing
, a high smooth forehead and a bright BEAM
ing eve-every lineament of his countenance
o bespoke the native goodness of bis heart,
and the superior powers Of intellect which
he possessed.
The history of Arthur Bruce had already
! prepoSsessed me somewhat in his favor {;
n but short interview was sufficient to prove
. that he was worthy scion Of noble
house.
!. When, at last, my urgent business madeit
|. necessary for me to travel on, experience
% ed a feeling akin to reluctance at the thought
r of leaving his happy mountain home, where
every social virtue was SO pleasantly blended
q and where the spring time Of the heart las
70 ted all the year; and the fair sunlight o
# peace, quiet, friendship and love ceased rol
70 to shine.
or was urged to remain for few weeks ir
n that bl;ssful retreat and the old man in
formed me that Edwin and Helen were in a
10 fe~ days TO be married, stating that I shonle
III at least be guest on that occasion.
in What! thought |, could mar the happi
% ness Of such couple-naught but the hanc
ID of death could uproot the bliss of such devo
49, ted hearts!
90 After bidding the family an afectionat
70 farewell. l continued on my journey. Otter
~ since then have reflected upon the trial
y and hsrdrhips and ultimate triunphs of th
"a 'Drunkard's son'-whose life so fully ex
fa empiihed the power Of RESOLVE. He WA
no ignorant-it led him to knowledge hi
N, family Eame was degraded and himself rid
Itb culed-by it the stains were washed away
in and he was led to honor; he was poor an
,cb almost friendless, but by resolve and perse
me verance, he became rich, learned, great, re
,os spec:ed and beloved
Often, too, in my lonely moments have
nth recalled to mind the Qnaker's lovely daugl
IN ter; SO artless, so gentle and winning in he
his manners-so cheerful and con6ding in he
80 ,,S disposition:
~ And then her face
So lovely yet so arch-so full of mirth,
m The overfowings of an innocent heart;
ink see it still, though many years have fed
- Like some wild melody !"
md Normal College, N. c.