Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-11-12
CHAPTER u

CHAPTER, II. 4
=, A few short months glide swiftly down
the tide of time, and we again introduce the
kind reader into the elegantly furnished
parlor of the accomplished and graceful
Mrs. Morton, whom we find engaged in an
animated and p'qaant conversation with
her newly married friend, the amiable and
lovely Mrs. Ashley, who during her honey
moon has been sojourning at fashionable
watering place, and is now calling upon her
acqualntances for the FIST time since her
return, to crafty their curiosity with
stereotyped narrative of her tou:, and to be
regaled herself with the delcctable moroccan
Of news which Dame Gossip has neglected
to communicate through the epistles of her
various correspondents.
"By the by, you must have the power
of vaticination or else you must have ex-
perEenced presentiment of coming events,
or else how is it that ou are at home Just
in the very nick of time to participate in
the festivities of that grand jubilee next
week" )"
That grand jubilee you astonish me
enlighten me, pray you, for am trem-
bling with anxiety"
"And am | to understand that you have
not heard of this which is setting all Ru.
ration agog? Is it possible that you have
slept in our midst and yet remained igno-
rant of that which for week has furnished
employment for every quidnunc and news
monger about town? Be it known then,
you precious ignoramus, that our incom-
parable little village is to be the theatre of
the most magnificent affair in the shape of
wedding that has ever transpired in all
our regions. And the parties-but guess
them if you cant
eff you pity me do not tanalize me with
such provoking delay. But let me see,-
There's Frank Jones and Lizzie Lee: say,
am right?'
"Half right and half wrong! Amend
your conjecture by striking out tie latter
clause aud substitute Lucy Winston in the
place thereof, and you will have hit the
mark. What think you Of that hey? 7"
"You deal in enigmas or are endeavor.
ing TO see to what extent you can task my
credulity. Why when left home Lizzie
Lee whom you know was my bride s-maid
as she has ever been my confidential friend
told me all about her engagement with
Frank, and advised me to hasten my return
if l would be present at their marriage
And although | somewhat expected from
the silence of her letters upon this subject
that it had been postponed for the present
yet was but lily prepared for such reve
lation as this. But you surely do not NEAR
that Frank Jones, whom the world has eve
recognized as the very pink of chivalry an (
the soul magnanimity, has turned up tha
"most contemplate of all contemptibl
animals, male firt?
"By no means I mean rather tha
your amiable friend, the immaculate Lizzi
Lee, with all her reputation for stability an
infexible tenacity to principle, has turne
up that equally contemplate creature,
female coquette. What think you of that !?
Why, if such be the fact, l am as COZ
fident as am of my existence, that she ha
not sacrificed any principle or sense of duty
But what says Dame Gossip? Of cours
she has not neglected to disclose the pal
ticulars."
"Why one version of the story rur
somewhat thus wise: The "gallant Lor'
thio," it seems, having been detected
= one of his gentlemany sprees, which it al
f pears was violation of one Of the prorist
f of their contract, and on obstinately refu
t ing to express penitcnce, be was polite
r informed blythe charming Dulcinea" tn;
3 all engagements heretofore existing
. tween them were in consequence there
e thereby irrevocably cancelled. Anoth
: story informs US on the contrary, that b
G "Juliet has found another Romeo in Il
: person of a young tailor whose "shinglt
r hangs just opposite, and whose enthusiast
= devotion and indomtable energy as Go
/. Water Recruit, in her estimation countt
;, balances all deficiency of rank Or fortun
e ApprOpOs, what thiLk you of the prospe
e of the belle of Ruralton becoming t
e blushing and bonnie bride Of an obscure n
n chanic T"
o 'It turns out precisely as | imagn
D, and instead of censuring applaud her
" her prompt decision. Such noble herois
te such self sacrificing devotion to prlncip
b, such fearless disregard for the sneers of
Of unappreciating world when in conflict W
a. the stern suggestions of duty, is worthy
the admiration, may imitation of every II
- woman. | would to God that every m
H. den in our land would conspire with her
- thus frowning down that ruinous custo
e which though innocent in itself is but
stepping stone to blasted fortunes, yithe
=, hopes, crushed affections and premat
30 30 graves; and when the love sick swain
- y pouring out his fond tale of love at
: - feet, that-she would significantly whis
20 into his ear "tetotaller or no husban
:, Yes, | heartily commend her, for visi,
40 =" this recreancy of her possessed inamol
with merited retributon and when
'o come to understand and appreciate he
" " well as do /, you will feel no surprise e
-, should that unwavering fidelity ant ch
~ nu full obedience to the dictates Of consci