The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-03-16
81 Clasair Irgrnh.
! he aU afficf's Bfi0e.
BY. JOHN s. ADAMS.
CHAPTER |.

ROME was enjoying the blessings ofpeace :;
and SO little employment attended the sol
dier's everyday life, that the words "as idle
as soldier" became proverb indicative Of
the most listless inactivity.
The people gave themselves up to iov and
gladness. The sound of music was heard
from all parts of the city, and perfumed
breezes went up rs an incense from the halls
of beauty and mirth.
1t was, indeed, Il blessed time for the city
of the seven hills and its people reioiced as
they had not for many long year--ay, for
n century. -s-. . .-. . -.
peace, sweet peace, a thousand blessings
attend thy glad reign. See you how quiet
ly the peasants tiocks Craze on our eternal
hills ! The tinkhng bell is a sweeter sound
than the trumpet's blast; and the curling
smoke, arising from the hearth-stones of con,
tented villagers, is a truer index, of a nations
power than the sulphurous cloud from the
field of battle. What say you, Alett-is it
not 7"
Thus spake q youth of noble mien, as he
stood with one arm encircling the waist of
n lady, of whose beauty it were useless to at
tempt description. There are some phases
Of beauty which pen cannot describe, nor
pencil portray-a beauty which seems to
hover around the form, words, and motions
OF those whose special recipients it is sort of
ethereal loneliness, concentrating the tints of
the rainbow, the suns golden rays, and so
acting upon the minds eve of the observer
as almost to convince him that yisitant
from sphere of perfection is in his pres.
ence. .. .-.... ~. g
Such was that of Alott. She was the OH
ly daughter of distinguished general, whose
name was the terror Of all the foes. and th.
confidence Of all the friends, of Ittly--his
eldest daughter; and with love approaching
idolatry he cherished her. She was his con-
fidant. In the privacy of her faithful heart
he treasured all his plans and purposes. OF
late, the peaceful security in. which the ma.
tion dwelt gave him the Opportunity of re-
manning at home, where, in the colnpauion-
ship ofa wife he fondly loved, children he
almost idolizcd, and friends whose friendship
was not fictitious, he found that Joy and
comfort which the camp could never iinpart.
s AIett was ever in the presence of her faith.
er, and the young man whose apostrophe TO
peace we iIave just given. ~ {.
Rubineau was not the descendant of a no.
bic family, i'll the worldly acception of tie
term. 1t was noble, indeed, but not in deetls
Of war or martial proves. It's nobleness
consisted in the steady perseverance, in we'll
doing, and strict attachment TO what con-
science dictated as right opinions. The gen
cral loved bin for the Inheritance he posses
sed in such traits of character, and the love
which existed between his daughter and the
son of ~ plebeian was countenanced under
such considerations, with Que proviso which
was, that. being presented With comnis-
sion, he should accept it, and hold himself
III readiness to leave home and friends when
duty. should call him to the field Of battle,
We have introduced the two standing on
a beautiful esninence, in the rear ofthe gem
erals sumptuous mansion. +
The sun was about gong down, and its
long, golden rays streamed over hill and dale,
palace and cot, clothing all in volnptuous
glow Of rich light. -.
They bad stoed for ecyeral moments in ST.
lenee, gazing at ttbeq quie. and heau,ifu. scene
before.them, when the InusieaI voice of!Ru-
binean broke forth in exclamslions ofdeliph,
at the blessings of peace.
gAlett was not long in answering ID was a
themeou which She dcighteJ 10 dwell. Turn.
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