The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-08-07
NO. Is.

yet which the dtcadful silence seeitied to en-
dolse. ss.- 4s8s
AT last, released FROM my engagement, 1
took tho usual, and, in those days, the only
conveyance to Lancastcr-the stage. The
id!eness consequent upon travelling gave
time for con' uning thoughts, and my sus-
pense became painful 20 the last degree
and, unable to bear the slow pace Of nv
conveyance, | determined 10 anticipate the
usual time Of my journey, by making the
last miles on horseback. In CARRYING ott
this determination, amounted 1fieet steed:
but just as reached the suburbs of IN V native
place, the animal, from some unaccounfaLle
cause. sprahg from the road, threw me will,
force, breaking my arm and otherwise injur-
ing my person. Picked up by my friends,
was conveyed helpless and full of physical
and mental agony TO my home. Scarcely
had the surgeons pcrfot'ned tue necessary
duties, than one. whom esteemed friend,
announced TO me the gossip Of the village,
and, among other things, detailed the par
ticulars OF the courslip and engagement of
the young Lady in whom was so interested
with WILL known person of ncighboring
clty--a person whose claims TO regard mo-
one could dispute. These things, stated
with such apparcn. good faith, connected
with that feaiidl silence Of six long weeks,
had no other effect than to incrca.e niy any
iety to uurave the mystery; AMI IN the
following morning, concealing my wound.
Ell limb under n cloak, probably pale and
hagSard, presented myself at the mansion
of my mistress. | was received 10 the pres
encc of The mother. She confirmed my sus-
picions. The young lady stood by. the pic.
tnre of despair, yet silent as the grave
Desperate at what seemed tins bad faith, I
returned to my house, wrote hasty letter
demanding my correspondence, and return
ing at the same time, every once cherished
token of affection. | received all / sent for.
save, perhaps, some forgotten flower.
THAT night the young lady accompanied
10y female servant, left for PHILADELPHIA
Arriving at her unc'es house, she complain,
ed of being fltigued with her journey, and
retired 10 her room. Complaining of some
serious pain, only soothed by narcotics, she
sent her faithful but unsuspecting servant
and friend 10 a neighboring drug store for
laudanum, received it, expressed the wish to
he alone. and seemingly retired TO Sleep
The following morning, not making her ap.
| pearance, the family became alarmed broke
open the door, and found the young lady
dead-in her hand the little keepsake re-
tanned from my correspondence. The uncle,
as if comprehending the particulars which
led to this dreadful tragedy, had the body
encofiined, and with it returned to Lancas-
ter. Placing all that remained of this once
lovely being in the parlor, he brought the
mother forward and displayed, what he was
pleased to term, the result Of her work.
II was sent for, and arrived to witness the
eloquent agony Of that mothers heart
Over the cold remains of the daughter she
revealed the particulars that led TO the aw-
fui result. My letters and hers, by untiring
industry, the command of large resources,
and paid agents, had all been intercepted.-
Thercascn of my prolonged absence in Phiia-
delphia had been explained as the result Of
the fascinating charms of city bellies even
an engagement had been pronounced All
this while the victim hal been full Of hope.
She had heard of my arrival in Lancaster.
but not of my accident fer long weary hours
she sat in the parlor waiting my presence,
but doomed to disappointment. Here was
seeming Indifference, a confirmation of all
! that she hal heard. On the other side,
was made the dupe of the mothers arts, and
the fiend who had poisoned my ear was.
merely the agent 10 carry forward the great
wrong. The last interview have descri-
bed, which resulted in tbe return of cores
pondence, was enshrouded in the consequent
ces ofall these plans The result was death
10 ono party, and the burial Of the heart OF
the other in the same grave that closed
| over one who could not survive the wreck Of
her affections"
Many years have passed away since the
incidents detailed in the above sketch tram
spired many years since they were revived
by the accidental conversation in family
circle of Washington society but the coun.
try strangely becomes interested in the event,
from the fact that the White House may
possibly have a bachelor for its oec~pant :
but one, not so because indifference to weA
man, but really from the highest apprecia-.
lion Of one of the loveliest of the sex.
Coon HuMoR.--It 1t is the clear blue sky o
the soul, on which every star Of talent Wilt