Georgetown weekly news., 1855-03-08
A few lines from n Romaee.

Poor Sybil," said her mother when she
had left the room, "she has chosen hard
portion. | fear those spirits are forced
She hopes to support mine, by feigning that
her own are light"
Il think not, answered Il think she is
really lighter of heart and happier now than
she has been for some time. She feels that
she is doing right, following the path of du-
ty; and, to such mind as hers, that rehec-
tion is sufficient to brighten and fate
Il believe it, | do believe it," replied
Mrs. Nivyan with emphasis; "but sad as our
lot has been, it has fallen peculiarly hard on
Sybil How true it is that adversely is the
real touchstOne Of character. Never, until
sorrow came upon her. had any idea of the
firmness and courage latent in her DISPOSE
tiOn. Upon Blanche | always relied, for
she was ever calm and brave; but Sybil has
been so petted, so idolsed, so sheltered from
even childish ills, that my heart trembled
for her when fortune first, and then he in
whom she had garnered her whole heart fail
ed her; yet see how she has risen, not mere
ly to meet the storm but to overcome it
Who could have imagined"
Stay, my dear madam, stay" | exclaim-
ed hastily; you are, fear, proceeding in
error, supposing that | have been honored
with more Of your daughters confidence
than she has thought 1T to bestow; Miss
Sybil has never mentioned the past to me,
nor any matter personal to herself"
Indeed then, indeed | thank you for
checking me. [ had fancied it impossible
for so young girl, and one, too, so COM
,lloto n IN tho cohOO1 Of L.
avoid speaking to so kind friend as your
SELF of grief of which | know her heart is
full. But it seems that / know not all her
self conquest and control yet"
No; nor do ] think she herself is fully
consiouS of them. Within her mind lie the
elements of a great and noble character
which adverse circumstances will develop,
but of which at present she is ignorant"
"Then, oh if the knowledge can only be
obtained through suffering, may GOD grant
her to remain in ignorance"
"Oh, surely not, dear madam" cried
earnestly; "all that is great and holy is puri-
fed by the keen fire of afliction, and surely
no price is too large or hard to pay, for
closer likeness to HIM whose name we bear.
All if had still a child, if it had pleased
GoD to spare even one, my tenderest and
best beloved, would rather have chosen for
her that sharp lot out Of which, like silver
from the re6ner'S furnace, pure things are
fashioned, than that quiet, easy, velvet path
which sluggards love, and in which great
natures perish"
fright, Mrs. Norman" exclaimed Sybil,
who had entered unseen as | spoke, and now
stood before us, her bright eyes klndling,
and her figure dilating with the energy of
her speech; death in the harness, death in
the breach, rather ten million times, than
that ingloriouS sloth in which the lives of
one half Of GoD's people. born with souls to
save or lose, are wasted shamefully. Oh,
these glorious lines of Longfellow those
earnest, human lines how my heart bounds
to them, like the Swiss to their battle-cry."
And with the mellowest, sweetest tones
of voice whose music ] never heard equal
led, she repeated the following verses from
that exquisite little poem, the author OF
which, even if he had never written another
line, would have been immortal,
Upon the lines | have italicsed. her voice
fingered fondly, as if indeed her ear loved
duU ueT Q6HFI pcuUbu UllC NOTuS.-
Life is reaU life is earnest,
And the grave is not it's goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment and not sorrow
Is our destined end or way;
But to act; that each tomorrow
Finds us further than to-day.
In the worlds broad field of battle
In the bivouac of life,
Be not like dumb driven cattle;
Be a hero IN the slrife.