Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-11-19
Original Sturp,
o-~~e~~~-~-0~-~o---~~~--~~--
Written for the Spirit of the Age.
A TEETOTALER Or MO HUSBAND
Oh
LIZZIE LEES CHOICE.
BY INVALID.
CONCLUDED FROM OUR LAsT.l
CHAPTER TIT
CONCLUDED FROM OUR LAsT.7

~ ~ 1"heioIlnatlon can few year
effect in the affairs of men-what
metamorPhosis in the appearance Of tn,
world Could wo lift aside the mystic vel
that conccals the future from our paze. w.
should be appalled, at the fearful array Of
temptations and trials, sunshines and sbor.I
cers, vicissitudes and changes which would
loom before US; and could our fathers,
who closed their eyes in the sleep of death,
ere yet we had stepped upon the stage Of
action, but be aroused from their loDg and
dreamless slumber and gaze upon The Forld
MS 1t now exists, they would fancy them-
selves the dupes of necromancy or some
delusive magic.
But little more than a haEa score of
years have been numbered Nitbth mighty
past since we last badc the raider adieu
huralton, then neat and tbrifty little
village, has steadily increased in size and
population till it has ATTAINED the proper
hons OF large and busy City-the CON-
merclal emporium of wide extent of ter
rltory-the focus from Fhich radiate, like
diverging radii from a conmon centre, un-
numbered thoroughf1Fefrom every point of
the compass. The Dodest little cottage
over which clambeud the ivy and the hon
eysuckle in wild exaberance, has been sup
planted by the magnificent mansion ornate
with all the elcRsace of architectural taste
and skill; and~mere stood the unpreten-
ding church where our fathers worshipped
in primitive simplicity, without bell or
steeple, the majestic temple now lifts its
gilded spire proudly to the Heavens The
shrill snort Of the iron horse with his heart
of fire and muscles of steel, is heard as he
rushcs on like demon infuriate from the
confines of despair, where the light hearted
farm boy then drove his faithful team along
the homeward path; and the hum of Ma
chinery and the chatter of a thousand
wheels, forever disturb the quiet stiffness
which then supremely reigned. Nor have
the devastations Of death been wanting, tC
aid in effecting this mighty revolution
the vestiges Of his bloody heel are seel
where'er we turn our eyes. But wher
fathers and mothers have been strickel
down from the stage of action, sons an
daughters have risen to fill their places an
perform their parts in the ever changin
drama. The bounding youth and th
blooming maiden, who had just then unite
their hearts with hymen's golden band, "
now recognize in the staid and sturd
sires and matronly danes, surrounded wit
Joyous groups Of prattling offspring.
Among this class are our old friends, ii
personagcs to whom we were introduce
in the preceding chapter, and whom we ca
scarcely recognize in the dignifed matron
whom we again greet enjoying soci
tetc tete in the cozy sitting room of Il
still graceful Mrs Ashly.
"Wcll, we'll, you certainly possess Il
least curiosity of any woman l ever 50
and take everything with a nonchalance al
sang frojd absolutely provoking. He
when every body is on the very tiptoe
excitement about that diStingue lookil
establishment that put up at the Welliu
ton House last night, and when ! have P
myself to the trouble to call upon the Lar
lady for information, and have canvass
the whole of one side of the square and
far up the other to distribute the into
gence, and here when l come to relieve y
Of your anxiety, you feign to be so unc'
cerned as not to introduce the subject.
But you sha'nt thwart me out of the sa
faction of Witnessing your surprise.
tell yoS l will"
'But stop, don't be quite 50 hasty 5
pose l were to tell you that | had just
ceived note from one of the inmates
that fine looking carriage, which infol
me that the writer being an old frienC
mine, will avail herself of the present
portunity torenew our acquaintance
by the way, am expecting her every
ment and am glad that you have calleC
so opportunely, as have no doubt Lila
Gray will be glad to sec any of her old
quaintances."
"Wcll, to be sure we live in an age
miracles and a world of wonders "
it was only last week that the newspa
announced the death of Frank Jones,
few years ago the rich and talented yc
lawyer, in drunken debauch, and appe
to the sympathies Of the benevolent il
half of his destitute wife and child !;
now they proclaim the arrival of the ]
Gen. Edward Gray, U. s. Senator,
deoant tailor and urgently call upon
citizens to welcome him to the home
boyhood. We need not be surprised
this to hear of anything !"