True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-09-03

there was no kind one to assist me and
encourage me when | wearied. Aunt
Mildred said had done we'll but, in lu.
ture, she should expect me to do much
better. |
After l had rected, she said to me,
"Zalaine your study hours will be from
len till Twelve and from two till four
after that you are at liberty TO run out OF
doors and play, if you wish; only be
careful and not fall off the rocks by the
seaside"
My heart gave wild bound of joy
when the old clock cbimed four: and,
throwing on my bonnet, | went out of
the great gloomy house into the clear sun.
shine. | ran ON, and on, never stopping
until the beating Of the surge on the
rough, rocky shore, arrested me. Twas
a wild, glorious sight Dark high rocks
fringed the bold shore, and climbing up.
on Lie very submits | sat down. My
soul was full OF the wild grandeur of the
of the scene. The white foam boiled
and seelhed around the frowning grey
rocks, and the hoarse groaning was like
exquisite harmony in my ears. sough;
out deep grotto on The highest peak, and
here carried the tips Of fir boughs, and
strewed the rough floor. A large stone
spit OFF from the main portion of the
rock, answered. for seat, and on my new
throne | was happier than OH the soft
cushions Of uncle Randolph's luxurious
JameuiiS.
My soul is one Of the wild and terri
BILE. From childhood, | have delighted
in the grand and awe-inspiriug. A Iem-
pest is my delight. | love il. The roar
ings and remblings of the whirlwind are
dear to my soul very fbres Here, on
these drcar rocks, resolved to pass my
leisure hours, for found a strange 10y
BUSINESS in listening 10 the deep, measured
roar of the ocean, and in gazing out on
the violet expause, unvaried as far as the
eye could reach, The gathering night
showers warned Tue 10 return, and, cas-
ting behind me regrelful glance, hur-
ried back TO Pinewood.
Why need linger on this portion of
my life ? ltwas the same from day to
day, and from year 10 year. The same
unvarying round of duties My study
hours were passed in the picture room,
before that picture, although | had never
yet asked single question regarding it.
How had it found place in the family
collection, knew nor, unless my un-
Gle had seen it somewhere, and, ad-
miring its extraordinary beauty, became
its purchaser. Be that as it might;
cared not. | loved it with all The wild
enthusiasm of my nature, and, before il,
offered up my prayers to the Great
Father; for fancied the deep, loving
eyes looked down upon me pi,yngly, and
the fancy made me happy.
Every afternoon, went to the "haunt-
ed rocks" as the wild headlands were
called by the neighhoring fishermen.
Many were the dark tales told of my fa-
vorile rocks-of weild voices breaking
out on the midnight air, and of pale forms
dancing fantastic measures on the beach,
but for all this, loved the dreaded local
ity better. They told me, in whispered
tones, of dreadful night when a gallant
ship went down with all her noble crew,
beneath the frenzied waves **
Time passed until | was sixteen years
of age. Matters stood the same at Pine
wood. My aunt was still beautiful and
stately, and my uncle submurged in busi-
ness. e5
There was much company at the house,
but no one noticed me. Sometimes, in
deed, young men, with mammoth dickies
and astonishing breadth of whiskers,
would stare at me with their sleepy-look-
ing eyes, but cared not for their scornful
glances: the animal was too inferior to
cause me any other emotion than con-
tempt.
Thus, unloving and unloved, passed
my childhood and youth that portion of
life which is, 10 that favored child, so full
oil happiness, was to me sandy desert,
with, here and thers, an oases of tears.
On, there were times when | so longed
for the enfolding Of loving arms, and the
music Of kindly voices, and all my utter
loneliness rushed like great avalanche
over me.
In the meantime. my studies had been
arduous, and had made rapid progress.
A cross old Bachelor OF Divinity was en-
Ployed to initiate me into the mysteries of
hic, hac, hoe, and the lighter literature of
la iangue FancaiS.
At sixteen, was better educated than
many maiden who has been all her life
d denizen fthe school room, and comes
forth with diploma. rich in staring capi.
tails. &
One dreadful night, when the storm
king had unbound his myriad fends, with
liberty to rage uncontrolled, threw on
my mantle and took my way to the cliffs.
Oh, the wild, exquisite grandeur of that
night The red lightning flashed ath-
wart the piichy hlackness, lighting upI
the boiling ocean until il seemed boun.
dless plain Of 6re. The winds howled
like unfurialed demons, and the loarse,
cracking thunder mingled its voice in the
elemental war. 's2ia