Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-05-08


ssTo muse over the prominent incidents OF our
early life, and those of our young friends, to
whom we were afTectionately allied, attracts no
inconsiderable portion of thought, through the
sterner years of manhood and age" said gen
tlemen who was relating the "reminiscences ofhis
early youth. 'sMemory," continued he, ''treas-
ures up early recorlections of home and friends;
and those Of the good and gentle nature are the
more firmly engraven on her tableau."
About the year 1880, circumstances peculiar
to the orphan state, caused me to leave home,
hood for a strange people. Iparted with every
dear objeat with regret, and longed for my old
home again. Among all my young friends,
George Whitehill was the star of my affections.
we were born in the same village, and were
pEaymates and friends in childhood and youth.
Scarcely day passed that we were not in each
others company Wherever his merry ringing
voice was heard, there was to answer. One had
no sunshine, no shade, no joy, no hope, without
the other sharedit Wewere friends linked to-
gether-pledged friends forever.
After an absence of four years, received a
pressing invitation from George to visithis home,
had become greatly attached anxiouslylook-
ed forward to the first of December, the time APP
pointed, and, with many bright prospects in
view, set out to meet him When reached
hismothers cottage, George was waiting to re-
ceiye me. can never forget the warm pressure
of his hand, nor the kind words and looks that
greeted me. But something strange was in his
manner that startled me. 1t is true he had
grown in form, with face beautiful, and bluer
and brighter eyes never met mine. His words
were pure, but full of laughing eloqucuce. But
then saw at glance, that change had swept
over him, and it panied me to believe, that he
was slipping poison and death from the recling
and blighting cup. knew his nature so well
that at once opened the subject; and he frank
LIZ owned his fault, and promised that after we
had finished the deer chase, he would then for
ever relinquish appetite that had caused him
and his friends much regret and misery. said
nomore, but thanked him fOF the blessed hope
he gave me. Never shall forget the glad smile
and kind looks his fond mother and atfectionatc
sister gave me, when they heard George promise
me to forsake his incorporate habits that were
gradually gaining strength. His mother was one
of those dear old ladies who are soperfectly neat
and plain, with cOuntenance of so much good
ness, that the appellatiOn of mother rose to the
lips of every one by whom she was addressed;
and his sister was gentle delicate girl, of such
fragile beauty that she was petted and tenderly
cared for by those who surrounded her. Her
brother was the pride Of her heart, and she had
pleaded with all the fearful eloquence that be-
longs to the gentler sex, until hope died within
her heart Bowling her head upon my hand, she
r1ur1auIed, nezert your kindly influence over
ia7 bTother," but ere she could speak another
word, George exclaimed:
ICONS, cheer up, Nelly, and don't look so
heart bsoIrsn,s then pressing her head between
bis hands, be Imprinted kiss on her check
Look, SeFiy,T bs continued, you have bsthed
M lar,d of cur friend with tearz, but never
5asss, Jon staI not have eause 10 shed any more,
fri fstssd % u - temPersts "a future a. the
stsses f1t eiss ne dea., add thea you will be
rrsf4 - -. 4s5as y5a Mfr ard 70 sill vou.