Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-05-20
o %nEpARTMRNT.
Written fOr the Spirit Of the Ag
R L v E N G b;
THE LOST CHILD.
BY cHAs. 3. W b B

Reader, the following short sketch, is
in its main features, true the incidents
coming under the writer's observation.
Twas in q darkened room; the curtains
closely drawn as if to exclude the penetra.
ting gaze Of the god of day. Upon the
low couch ip the corner lay an emaciated
form, almost worn out, her thread of life
almost severed her spirit waiting to be
freed from its earthly tenement, and to
soar upwards to those fair regions where all
j. Joy, and peace, and love.
Mabel Walton was dying. Hers had
been short and checkered life first sad
and lonely, and then her young heart had
: been made happy, and a season, short in
deed, ofunalloyed bliss had been her por-
ton. Father, mother and friends had
passed from her sight, and gone to that
''bourne from whence no traveller returns"
and at each trial her tender heart-strings
had almost been sundered with grief. A
brother only remained a fine, handsome
boy of some ten summars-A-I upou him
hor ua~eotiUushad become deeply ceurered,
but her time Of sorrowing had not ended.
Sh" experienced a heavy, and, to her, al
most an insupportable grief.
Little Harry died. Long, long, did her
sad and liberated heart refuse to be com
fortcd. But time, the great renovator,
again placed the smile in her ~lustrous black
eyes, and the r~ose-tint upon her check,
and her acquaintance said Mabel was her.
self again.
But how this change in Mabel? Had
she forgotten her angel brother? Oh
no; but her affections had found another
resting place; her hearts love had been
sought and won by Robert Walton, and
she became his bride. Robert was an off,
Ger in the United States Navy. The first
twelve months Of their marriage passed in
sunshine, without a cloud to obscure their
happiness, but now twas blighted. Rob
crit was to leave on a voyage of two years
absence. How reluctant was he to leave
his young, loving and beautiful bride, and
how 10th was Mabel to be separated from
him, on whose manly breast she could con-
fdingly lean, knowing his love was all her
own. BUTT must be done. He departed,
and hao been gone some six months when
our story opens.
"Marion, Marion" spoke the dying wo-
man, "protoct my babc-my darling Mary;
keep her for her father and deliver her TO
him. Tell him his Mabel died, praying
God to bless him, and has child, for whom
l now yield my life. Tell him | wished
not to leave him, but God thought it best
and | bow to his divine will. [ die hap
py-" her voice failed and her eyes alone
finished the sentence, as her blest spirit
fed to swell the angelic choir above. She
had gone to battle forever in the waters of
the river of eternal life, which emanates
from out of the great white throne of the
liking Of kings, and Lord of lords" hap-
py IN the approving smiles Of a virtue re-
warding God.
arms aud Kissed its cheek. x smile fitted
across the face Of the little one as it held
its tiny arms up to her.
eyes, | will protect and shelter the e..
sweet babe, for Mabeps sake, and | will
do 1t alone. Oh ! revenge, revenge, how
sweet to the human heart" and the ewes
Of the proud, naughty and, withal, beau
titul Marion Coleman flashed, as these
words passed her lips. Her thoughts had
wandered back into the dreamy past, and
IN era in her life passed through her mind,
and she now fondly, and alas too suye7y
dreamed ofrevenge for her fancied wrongs
Oh! cursed spirit of revenge. How it
desolatcs the affections and DESTROYS everv
feeling of love and mercy from the human
heart. How many poor pilgrims through
lie has 1t made a burden to live, and living
monuments of misery. How often has +
sent the cold steel to the un~suspecting heart
OF some unwary mortals. 1t nerves the
assassin's ~blade-breeds discontent-and
plunges into woe and misery many who
might otherwise be happy and useful men,
bers OF society. And for what? 1t does
not produce happiness, for, like the SER
pent's poisoned fangs, it infuses it's deadly
venom in the soul, and leaves it despond.
ing; dying.
"Robert Walton, once l loved thee"
again spoke the indignant woman, "once
sooner would l have died than caused tbee
pain, and | thought that you loved me
but, vain thought, l found, when alas too
late, that you loved another, and one 7 also
loved my schoOlmate-my companion
dearest, best friend. l love her vet T
cherish her memory, and for her sake, |
will protect her offspring. But, Robert
Walton, thee / can never, no never FORGIVE
My curse be with thee and follow thee al.
ways" continued she, vehemently resolv-
ing to avenge her o n
But what were those wrongs? Mabel
Walton and Marion Coleman were early
friends, They had been reared together
aud had shared each in the others sorrom,
and troubles, occasioned by death and sen,
%aration. When they were about seventeen
years ofage, the young and handsome Rob
Grt Walton appeared in their neighborhood.
lie was IN their society much, and was
equally attentive to each. Marion loved
him as fondly, as sincerely as her nature
could love any one, and she fondly dream.
ed that one day she should be his bride.
bat he loved the mild, meek and modest
Mabel, In preference to the wild, fashion.
able and naughty Marion. Those woro
happy days to them. Joy had banisbed
sorrow from the sad heart of Mabel and
the time passed pleasantly and serepelv
away into eternity. The result of this CON.
tlnped association we have already seen
1t is strange that Marion, with her disno-
sition of jealousy, should continue in bor
affections to Mabel-that she sbonld st;Il
fondly love her school day friend. Their
hearts seemed linked together in an indis-
soluble tie. Nothing could estrango bcr
love from her dead friend.
Marion vented out all her revenoe nm