The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-06-12
FOR THE INDEPENDENT rREss.1
Agnes Clayton.
BY "SALLIE.n


IsJuly, tornado was sweeping with fearful
,ravages- -leaving general devastation. Ihad
never heard with such awful solemnity, the
loud pealsof thunder the dark lurid clouds
were ever and anon in blaze Of frightful
splendor---a moment the elements seemed to
stop simultaneously to conjoins their, fury.
A dart of lightning succeeded by a crash of
Thunder, in which was the wrath of an Of
Tended God, deepening the stupor which had
stolen over mc-a moment after shrek
of agony awoke my slu,nbering senses !;
needless of tho warfibg winds, 1 braved the
storm, to. know from whence came that cry
of CONSERVATION. At short distance from
the gate stood an elegant carriage, with
richly ca: arisoned stceds standing with
impatiencc, to be detained, thought not
that its proud occupants might scorn the
aid of simple maiden, for distress break
the barriers, existing between the great and
lowly; as advanced, a gentleman unbarred
The gilded door. On his bosom lay a frail
being pale, beautiful, ,:lifeless.
Havc you ever gazed on death, dear read
or. Was it in halls of wealth where dimly
burning tapers threw soft gi'nmering light
on theform God had claimed. d.-Werc the
ceremonies over the dead SO os.entatious it
toolsaway all solemnity7 Or was the sleeper
in llovel of poverty, with no light save that
of Heaven; by its ray did it not reveal one
heart filled with sorrow, beside that bed of
straw? you have not, in either case bcheld
a scene so'appalIing as was my first view of
death. Sorrow was on every feature of
that marble face; with blighted heart and
bightcd hopes had not fled all of beauty.
AS stood transfixcd 1 marked not the fly
ing clouds, the ceasing storm until the set
ting sun lksup with resplcndcnt glory,
weeping nature. No other object had been
observed no words spoken until deep
toned voice aroused my Iethargy. Girl!
wouldst thou awaken pity. started and
met those mysterious eyes-their expires.
sion none could fathom. Is there one SO.
dead to humanity rs to behold, and still
not pity-was my involuntary exclamation.
+ Twill tell-but iteis¬ time for me TO
speak or you to listen, can you give US shell
ter for the night.
'Iwill ask my father, who lives inthe cot
tage yonder, he has never refused wander
erest, and Iran into the house, soon all
related in breyity. Ny father hesitated,
placing his hand on my head said, fear.
this strange occurrence bfools. nc, good to
my little Angc, however, they must he our
guests; even now they are ,at the gate.
Soon the fragile form was borne by the
gentleman into The cabin and laid on a snow
white couch, kpeeling his lips moved in
prayer, after impripting kiss on her lofty
brow, he arose and addressed me. This
a scene You would gladly uudeIstand aud
your Hospitality demand. il. l.,.5ss ssss
Wo@bad tstter attend, but tie.
stranger storpe me eieNo, Mary sleeps
ssalmls now; wait dntg gthr5pgh, tl,sp
adjust tic dead, :Res tiieps proceeded: Ny
aprnis wii not give but wealth anI honor
|slgepg to msf This beautifll creature
WHOM A,es htaiags pisrss;d so rspihlessly
was my ssyss iGssffar the i,itar, size vowed
to honor. 70 iovs but willie her lips pro-
kseunced the f.ti1g words, bef 5leart vas
FFsiyeni TO anotiler. / Knew nots Of this and
kaslt 81 her shrfhe foIeapl Of wealth, fame
and friends. But . alosEs aene more terrible
il,an the scene just past Asse.ter came
ffron q England written i'm asstranger's hand
addressed TO my wife. .A&she4 took it FROM
/ mo, Inoticed Les face iiSslf iier hand
lfemblsa as she antitaliy broke Tie seal.
One glanessa tile signaAass maIe her 70
garliess ORAL save Aer love for Marion
Pool q .G!ssping is Lscried .oL !! Ma.
tion, an G1s1 iiR sbafst eycry
bond That fslss,s 4, 10 .il,ee.n 'tiiI That Il
aelitencs 4nede III n ,naan.an,. II know NOT moi
low \ listened. Is nj 81 soi.e il bl1th
9lisps psfng 30, 90 ;;.it ma ters not where "a
/ place remote iloIs imam sl,ypecrisy,
:pce ,ilea ] iiase Sssdsrsl a6kno wing td
Stilshat hagen tIsae forest s,atilss would lead
yas q ajij III ,lspiis;s. tl.3
ading ellss lisys fI ~ ls silas snslt aaJ sns n
i 8rassd hsr ,foIiis ii d o,,,Iss1
Eaa & .Ill fs.
aos B st t 9s