Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-10-29
For the Spirit of the Age.

Politely Inscribed p tic " Social Ctrch,"
Lutparheulary to Mss Gertrude Perry.
You seem, Miss Gertrude, to be enter
ing a sad complaint against the members of
the "Circle'' for not inquiring after you
during tho past summer. But as | have
not the honor of belonging to that mystic
band, ] cannot take any part of the COM
plant to myself. But with all due defer
cnec, allow me to inform you Miss Gertie,
That | hailed your appearancein the cage"
with delight, and greedily devoured with
bachelor selashuess your 4" ireside Mus
ings.' Perhaps it weuld be better for
ne, before going farther, to give some ac-
count Of myself, aud make an apology to
y2H and the Circle generally, for this un-
called for Intrusion. ! am a young man
Of twenty-five, FIVE feet, ten inches in
height, black hair, eyes and whiskers, and
/ suppose g tolcrably Gnc form. ! am the
ONLY So. underwood mother and cunsc-
qucutIy a pit, which will in some measure
account tor many Of my eccentricities. |
have generally had my o,ca cdy in such
matters MS particularly concerned myself,
such as having my own room, and it fur
nished to suit my taste (Which by the way
is rather plain.) My room is my " Sane
tum." In It have my wardrobe, trunk,
bureau and desk, inside of which | allow
no eyes but mine to look. My books,
horse, dog aud gun are my principal COM
]panions, yet do not think me a woman ha-
ter, for I aD the very reverse, though it is
true ] have bat few female acquaintance.
Like you, " Hiss Gertrude, in my " bach
elor rcyeries' seated in my hig. backed
oil fashioned chair, watching the curling
perfume OF my Havana and the Pickering
fame Of my hickory FIRE, | often feel an
"aching void within" and think that some
whore upon this beautiful green earth, is
Warlaud's "s2cond self"-a ~congenial
spirit that can sympathize with mine, and
one that would be willing to share with
motho retired beauties of -" Willow Grove"
/ cannot, like you, name over u half doz-
en- dark aud blue-eyed bellies, with wavy
t~rcsscs, graceful forms and winning smiles,
to whom | have played the agreeable, that
would il they could, possess the +" golden
key to unlock the secret fountains of my
heart. DO not take up the idea that we
have no bellies or beauties in rural and re.
tired districts, for ,re hare, and some who
can rival in beauty the far famed bellies Of
your " Monumental City," and whoselove.
illness might call an Angel down.
/ am seated in my comfortable old chair
my feet upon the beck of another, and my
faithful dogs beside me. Memory, cvel
true to her nature, with her 'thousanC
witcheries carries me back to the long COLI
evenings Of last winter-when | sat il
this room devouring with avidity you
"hearthside Musings" aud drawing fan
ciful comparisons Of the coy comforts @
your hearthside and mine, aud 1ondcrin
what kind of a person was the gifted Gel
trude Perry, and wondered if she did nc
possess the qualities necessary to enchai
d. The heart that has never yet bowed to th
witchery of woman.
Oft when Morpheus has shaken h
"Lethean' branch over me, and my spir
wandering the shady groves of /" dream
land" have / met with the ideal Of m
fancy, Gertrude Perry.
Would that in my waking momen
when +" Richard is himself" that l couI
experience that pleasure. Like you an
the poet Of the Sunny South" we ha,
never met" and " never may" but IL
ideal likeness of Gertrude Perry, will ev,
remain iudellibly stamped upon the mem
ry Of MARYLAND.
"Willow Grove, Va"