Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-03-19
LADIES DEPARTMENT..
For the Spirit Of the Age.
Tho Broken Link.

The Broken Link.
In the sunlight Of childhood ! once met in
The same bright existence a beautiful and
gentle huing, whose temperament resembled
n LAKE, the tranquility Of which is only dis
turbcd by the gentle zepbyrs that dimple its
bright bosom. Mine was a nature wild and
ardent. AMI my feelings gushed forth like q
sweeping torrent, while hor's flowed in light
murmuiing streamlets and rs the spark
ling dewdrops in their diamond like radi-
ance enhance the freshness and beauty Of
the noweret whose delicate petals are en-
shrined in Il thorny calyx, so her every tear
Of sym 2athy, and word Of love, called into
greater yiyacity and energy those fine feel
ings peculiar to the feminine heart, no matter
how rough the easkot that encase the bright
gems. Naturally there existed between us
hut little eongeniality of taste or sentiment,
but Nv frequent associations and strong nd
mirations for each others opportunities, each
adopted the others customs, and both learn
ed to lavish upon the same objects our praise
or blame and thus sprang up q unity Of
spirit which united our souls more closely
day by day and it seemed as though fate
had poured from the same cup the destiny
Of each; another firm link in the chain OF
circumstances that bound us to each other
The effort Of my lifo was to gain the sim
cere and abiding affections of one true heart
/ deemed the priceless treasure mine, and
immagined that one kindred spirit had
wreathed around mine tho garland Of un
changing love, whose blossoms when wither
cd here by the breath Of the destroying ange
should bloom in Paradise with greater fresh
ness and beauty.
But at length dawned the day of decIinin,
friendship, and / realized what / never an
ticipate1- Uarequited fondneSs. She VIII
had been tho friend Of my earlier and ripe
years, tho participation Of my joys and sor
rows, had learned to love mo less. I ncve
dreamed that aught on earth could thu
change her i never thought that the lamp
OF her love burned with so little brilliancy
and could be so readily ~extinguished by pros
porous hreczes or that any event howeve
glorious could tempt her thus to cast ava
affections holy trust" and close forever tn
hOodgu.e Of memory to the tide Of fond rel
elections, causing il TO flow back and ming
with Lethc's dark waters.
Other hearts are now the receptacles
which are reposcd her confidence and esteem
and of all those treasured memories of II
happy past so dear to me, there appears I
trace upon Memory's tablet. | sometim,
feel Us though no pulse Of love throbbed
unison with mine, and rs wave after wa,
beats up on the Sea Of Remembrance, eaC
bearing upon its bosom some wreck of fc
mer bright anticipations, and n distrust
all things earthly would Ell my mind
hear in e0ftest tones: Thou twin'st aft
TONS teudrils too irmlyaround those, who
presence can only lend %enchantment to Il
life, robbing thy God Of that deyotedncss d
Him, and in so doing desroiling myself of
inheritance among the redeemed. Tn
must dwell low down in the valley Of sorrt
and humility and though all around
times he gloomy, remember the Sun
righteousness Hill arise, shedding bisrays
life and light about thy feet, and dispel
darkness that may overshadow thee.
Then Hopes soft and soothing whisp
fall sveetly on my car, saying-Iho sill
cord has not yet lost all its lustre some
its threads still retain their brightness; ii
hast yet much to live for thy God and
fellow beings. Thou hast thy work to
complish.
Lift thy head above the pillows Of desI
and let tho eye Of faith penetrate the biz
est cloud that floats over the horizon Of
existence, across which, soon the bow
promise will stretch itself, whispering he
Of SUMMER days. VIOLA