Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-04-23
Written for the Spirit of the Age.
ABEL L EE,

Written for the Spirit of the Age.
MABEL LEE,
OR THE TWIN SISTERS.
DEDICATED TO THE YOUNG READERS OF THE AGE.
BY AN INVALID.
Come, gather around my bedside, my
dear young friends, and let me tch you the
stastrf9fwA ~ aha trial. Mabel Lee aud her
sister Lizzie were twins-and lovelier gems
never gladdened parents hearts. The chill
dren of affluent parents, aud nursed i'll the
lap of luxury and ease, they knew no want
that was not grati6ed and no pains were
spared to adorn their youthful minds
Idolized by fond and atfectionate family,
caressed and petted by admiring friends, it
was source of wonder that they were not
beguiled by the seductions of hattery into
affectedness and vanity. Not cloud be-
dimmed the horizon of the golden future,
aud their young hearts were thronged with
brilliant anticipations and hattering hopes.
But just as these sweet buds were bursting
into young womanhood the dark angel of
death entered their happy household and
snatched away their guardian and protec
tor. 1t was a sad day when their beloved
parent was stricken down by the cruel spoil
er's hand.
Mr.. Lee, prompted by the impulses of
his generous nature, had become the endor
ser for large amount for an old and high
ly valued friend This individual had
plunged deeply into wild schemes of specu-
! I ~ Al ~ go H.
his creditors demanded settlement, it was
found that he was insolvent to an extent
almost incredible. Not only was his own
estate swept away, but the bcreaved
widow and tender orphans were reduced to
indigence and dependence, and forced to
soil their fair hands in the stern struggle
for bread. Happily they were prepared TO
ri e superior to all emergencies and with
brave and unyielding hearts to buffet against
the heavy surges of adversely which now
beat over their defcnceless heads.
1t was determined that one of the twins
should accept of a situation as Assistant in
a Seminary, which friend of their mother
had rendered them in "a distant State j
There was a long contention as to which
should make the sacrifice, for though the
idea Of leaving the maternal root was
equally painful to both, yet each was too
unselGsh to allow the other to endure the
pang of separation. 1t was at length de-
cided by lot, and the choice fell upon Ma
bel.
1t must have wrung the stontest heart
to witness the separation of these lovely
creatures. Never before had they been
partcd-at homo and at school they had
been inseparable companions. Day after
day they had enjoyed the same innocent
amusemcnts, night after night their young
heads had slumbered upon the same pill
low. Il melancholy gloom aud a silent
sadness reigned in this hitherto joyous cir
Gle and when the trying hour came, it was
like the plant reed bvfore the whirlwind'
breath, that they bowed their heads in meek
submission to the stern decree.
Far away in the sunny South, where ev
cry breeze came laden with perfume frou
orange and magnolia groves, did Mabe
assume the duties of her untried vocation
Scarce more lovely was Eden in the earl,
morn of creation than her new home
scarce more happy was Eve, ere yet sh
yielded to the wlles Of the tempter, if Liz
zie had only been there. But, alas, sh
was insensible to all these charms aud beau
ties as they sprung up as If by magic il
her pathway. Despite all the endearment
of affectiunate friends and all their effort
: to make her happy and couten,ed, chang
: came over her gay and bIithesome spirits
and oft in the morning did the maid fin
her pillow bathed with briny tears. Days
0 weeks and months-spriDg, summer an
g autumn cast anchor upon the shore of etel
nifty, and as the winds of hoary winte
sang a requium to the expiring year. it wa
: plain that disease had claimed her for il
victim. But still her letters to her mott
! er and Lizzie were cheering and hopefu
t ere spring should deck the earth in 90
geous beauty. she would be sleeping b,
meath the sod so far away from home
t But at length she was compelled to desi.
; from her labors in the schoolroom, and he
friends wrote to her mother bidding be
t hasten to her daughter bedside if she woul
3 see her again on earth. Oh, the crushing
| the heart-rending blow to poor L zzie :
/ With piercing scream she sunk into
/ deathike swoon, and for days she was il
; sensible to all surrounding objects. Er
yet she had revived sufficiently to eay
| her room, intelligence had been receive
3 that dear Mabel was no more. Like on
7 :" who draws the drapery of his couc
: around him and lies down to pleasar
3 dreams" she had bid adieu to the scene
r OF earth, her eyes were gently closed
0 stranger hands. and in her latest breat
: she family whispered, Lizzie-Mother-
: home. Like tender foweret transplant
e ed in other soil or like the unfledge
D 6lrdllng torn from the parent nest, 81
: dropped and died
], For days it was thought that Lizzie
J spirit would burst its bonds of clay and soa
3 away to join her sister in her angel hom,
But 1T was willed otherwise, and she W.
, spared as prop to her mothers decliuin
+ age. For weeks however she was copfne
$ 20 her lonely chamber and often as sb
}, sat ln her bed propped up by pillow
I would she talk to her mother Of darliu
q MaDel-her seraph sister.