Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-03-12

ne will easily fall, and crush your young on
in his fall. Many an innocent heart ne
has been won by j~ustsuch fattering words; nc
hearts hat when fairly in their power, p
have been cast aside with all their wealth ht
of affection, as useless toys b
Il will confess to you, Aunt, that al
sometimes have NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. b
of soul, when l reflect upon our engage a
mcnt and approaching marriage ; but the fl
die is cast my word is now pledged, and | d
shall unhesitatingly meet my lot; be itjoy "
or sorrow Y e
sBut if you regret your promise in the S
least, it is not too late to ~retract tell him j
frankly your reasons, and if he has one :
particle of honor, he will release you from j
the engagement 4
But you do not understand me, Aunt
I do not wish to be released. | love Al
wyn, and at all events shall be true to him,
and do not wish to be urged to the con-
trary.'
Her Aunt plainly saw it was useless to
say more, and with sad heart went about
her increasing cares, rendered more numer-
Gus by the preparations for her nlece's
marriage. The winter passed slowly away
with its cold wind and snow, aud joyous
spring returned with her balmy breath aaa
With It came the bridal of my friend. She
was dressed in a simple robe of white mus
lin, with orange flowers twined amid the
luxuriant braids of her hair. / had never
seen her look so beautiful. Her counte-
nance, which ever revealed the emotions of
her mind, now seemed radiant with peace
and JOY. Perhaps my fears are false
said |, mentally, at least | hope and pray
hat she may never shed bitter tears over
the dishonor of him to whose destiny her
own is now united for life
1t was during the bridal tour of my
friend that a pleasant home was provided
for me far, far away ; ; but occasional ex-
tracts from the letters received from Blanche
will give her history:
We are now happily situated in GU. new
home. Was it not kind in Alwyn to accede
to my wishes and settle in our native village,
where thrust my days shall peacefully pass
amid the haunts Of my childhood? We have
purchased the Bower surrounded, you
know, by beautiful shaded trees and fragrant
flowers. The birds are sweetly singing
upon the trees near the window where /
write, aud my heart is in union with their
warblings. A consciousness of loving and
being loved, fills my whole heart with
peace and joy. Alwyn seems to study
my wishes and taste in every thing, and i
shall be the aim of my life to make him
happy. Our rooms are furnished neatly
almost elegantly. A new, fine toned piano
adorns the p%arlor, where our evenings ar,
chiefly spent ; and when we have no com
pany [ sing or play for him, or he reads II
me. We have a choice library. [ an
5 grateful that my husband has a l~iterar,
taste, for fancy that with such an ARA,
: of gifted authors about US, we cannot groy
; lonely or unhappy. Aunt often comes t
see US, and is getting to like Alwyn bette
$ as they become better acquainted
X X i X
6 More than q year has elapsed since
last wrote you. Happiness and peace ar
I still ours. And every new joy wish t
communicate to you, who have ever share
= the thoughts of my heart even, my earlies
friend i x Very far from me sti
seems the sorrow of which you once warnc
= me- \ X X X
i now write you from another and a
humber home. Alwyn's business affair
r. became involved, and the pretty cottae
where | anticipated spending all my day
- has passed into the hands of unrelentin
"A creditors. But we have rented a lit
home where [ endeavor to make everythiu
: neat and comfortable. My piano and
II part of my library too have gone, yet l a
still happy, still grateful to God for Il
80 love of my husband. Our change of CT
sumstances renders it duty to dispense vii
~ servants, | must henceforth toll with n
70 own hands; yet toiling for him I love
he dearly, will make the burden light and tt
=. dHty pleasant. Believe me, l am still co
bc tented and happy = : = tOnly
few months have past, and my dear Au
No is in heaven. She was ever all q moth
could have been and how | miss her! 81
met her summons with joy. You can il
bv agine my grief when l knew she must g
&c Yet / look upward with an eye of fait
N and know that there are many ties st
mine in heaven. Alwyn seems to fore
.od his " sorrow (for he had learned to 10
cir herr to comfort me, and leaning on hisal
| can say from my heart, 1t is weU! x
IN. l will write only this once more, fo
nv feel that my days are numbered and tina
am passing rapidly to the grave. I
II hopes and aspirations of my heart are
10 the dust-all save the hope of heaven.
. !. feel that the bitter cup is presented to
nee. lips, and its poisoned dregs rankle in
ver heart, like no other sorrow. Must |
you, that in our peaceful little villag
low, filthy '~grogshop' has been establish
he and some of our most influential men
ptle sort there to spend their evening hou
Many a heart is beginning to ache, m,
on5 a tear to flow. Husbands who till 1
for have been kind and leving, are cross
eve. neglectful, spending their time and mo
Rn at this sink of ~iniquity. And need 1
ama Alwyn too has fallen-a victim to a
.bev sustained traffic IN human blood W
the feelings of my heart were when | k
dav. my idol had fallen, you can't imagine, t
only know who have with sorrow cxperier
n 70 them. Patiently l endured the evil
poverty, and did not shrink from tot
4 in Hopefully have I seen those dear to
now laid in the cold grave, knowing I sht
"A I meet them in a better future. But tn
who more than my weak heart can bear y
here have never reproached him. No taun
word shall ever pass my lips. | plead
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