Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-10-29
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She had grown into perfect womanhood-f
/ won't describe her. Look at that pic
|ture
's0ur intimacy ripened from that day
Some how or other my horse always had
knack of coming back by old man BIS
whenever went to see patient | had
an extensive practice, DR. P. having thrown
it just into my hands Young man, need |
tell you that I enjoyed life. The bright
| sideWas before me, and could not look at
the dark I forgot to mention that while |
In Philadelphia, going down Chestnut St.
one day, I happened to see in picture
dealers window that picture there above
the mantel it struck me as being a per-
feet likeness of Annie B. Incontinentiy I
walked in and purchased it. And one day
mentioned to Annie that had her pic
Eture Oh! where did you get it !? I've
never aus--- ssestrait y gave her
the history of it. !" Keep it, said she,
g for my sake-to recollect me-" Upon
which [ was entering into a rhapsody about
not needing anything tangible to keep WV
id and IN everlasting remembrance her i'm
lage-engraven with pen of adamant on the
tablet of memory, &C., &c. In fact | was
making my declaration. I had not inten-
ded to do so when | went there, but | was
forced into it and there was no retreat I
recollect that | bad proceeded as far as
tablet of memory" very smoothly and
was bungling along then trying to find a
suitable phrase wherewith to clothe the
{ all important question-when, she looked
up into my red excited face, and broke in
with, {" What on the face of the earth do
you mean, DR.. Brown, don't you know that
I've been engaged, these twelyemonths or
more, to Lieutenant n of the Navy" |
) collapsed g tout coup"-seized my hat,
{ and, without waiting to hear what she was
saying about g friends" left +" instanter."
Young man, you know how man
, feels when he feels mean. There l had
, been lavishing all the treasures of my heart
on somebody else's wife, and didn't know
it, | came home, here, cast veil over
that picture and it stayed so ten years be-
! fore | would lift it, and then it was +" more
T in sorrow than in anger" The picture is
mine-no earthly power can take it from
:, !, me. I would fight Lieutenant N with
broadswords for it.
The old gentleman re-lit his pipe and
smoked with redoubled violence.
"Where is Lieutenant n now," ven
: tured to ask. " In England-he went out
= as Diplomatic agent of the T. S., after
: being promoted to Captaincy-his wife
went with him. Long may they wave, sir
, long may they wave"
J 'sWhen did you quit practicing medi
J cine, Sir, if | may be so bold.' " Soor
). after Annie became SO friendly towards me
An Uncle left me a large legacy-my faith
, er and family moved to Texas-I remained
: here at the old homestead, and enjoy my
a self "A ~ isszh peculiar way, with pipe an(
= gun. My dog there is my only compan,
' except my books. [ am literally doin:
= nothing-nothing to benefit a human sou
= except myself-am perfect drone in tn
: busy hive of men. Young man, 60 home
:. get married-if you can-let no woman b
), friend to you, keep them at distance
T work for the good of yourself and fello1
&c men, and you will be happy, not else
u u Your room is ready, sir, if you wish to re
! tire. [ retired.
% The next morning by sunrise, was up
partook of an excellent breakfast with m
- - host-and was soon vending my way alon
90 90 the cool highway.
~ y I often think of my curious host-an
~ whenever [ think of him, think Of Ben
! Picture.
~ hereby dedicate this rambling sketch
one who once asked me about nly picture
~ Coy NJ. E D.
= Home Place, Oct. 7th, 1856.