True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-04-22
Steubenville, Ohio,
April IL, 1857.
SfGstellaneons.
[From the Central Organ.
a TRUE TALE OF RAPIDES.
BY A. II. NJ.

The sun was setting gently behind the
sombre ridge of pine which skirts The
North Of Alexandria, when | halted a an
humble cot to inquire "if protection
could be afforded a traveller p On ap
preaching the door, discovered that the
house was unoccupied. but upon the
hearth was pine fire brightly blazing
an unmislakable indication of inhabitants.
Concluding that urgent business deman-
ded their attention, l took possession, and
endeavored to make my situation agreea-
Bile as possible under the circumstan.
ces.
The cracking fire was beset with Gull.
nary utensils, and delightful SAVIOR diff
fused itself through the apartment.
had not SAT long solus before my cogita.
tions were interrupted by the presence of
the proprietress, and on making my re-
quest, she responded in the aft tive
She was accompanied by three children
two boys and girl, each The possessor
of handsome face, radiant in smiles.
My hostess was apparently not older than
twenty seven or eight-probably thirty,
with remarkably fine features, and head
of hair that princess might be proud of
black as the sloe, and falling in glossy
waves over her beautifully rounded fore
head. Her complexion had not entirely
lost its maiden freshness, for amidst the
lines produced by early care, distinct
ly perceived vesliges Of former refine
ment. In stature she was over the aver.
age height of females, which gave her a
dignity not often possessed by individuals
in her station Of lile.-
Everything around me indicated pov.
erty-even her dress which fitted neatly
a faultess figure, was Of coarse mater.
ial
This good woman busted herself with
preparations for supper, and soon the ta-
BILE was covered with very inferior cloth
but white as the driven snow on Siber-
las waste. The neat simplicity of this
evenings repast contrasted beautifully
with the luxurious display of abundance
so often exhibited at the tables of the
rich.
Happiness is not the possession of the
sffluent but rather of the INDECENT, for
never before saw contentment more
perfect. The children eat with aviiity--
and each possessed heart felt happiness,
ifthe merry twinkling of their dark blue
eyes was the exponent Of their emotions.
Our frugal meal was soon dispatched,
and when sitting around cheering fire,
which lighted up the rafters with its lur.
id flames, and when the silent blaze mir
rored its own versatility on the shingles
overhead in fantastic waves dancing away
III sportive glee into The surrounding gloom
! carelessly asked the question: F." How
did you manage to survive the hard win
Ter which has just taken it's leave p
"Oh, sir the detail requires a more
eloquent tongue than mine. | should
fail to convey to you one half of our suf-
ferings, were to attempt it,"
Yet you must remember, madam.
that by recital of our hardships the ear
Of sympathy is ehchained, and the Golfers
of the generous are unlocked. l am iul.
y convinced that your present circum-
stances are the product Of blasted hope,
and that you were reared in an almos.
phere more genial TO your nature"
My words evidently had the desired ef-
feet, for tear that trembled. for an in
slant only, in her coal black eyes show.
ing to advantage the coruscant effulgence
Of that deep expression, rolled its pellucid
globules down her flushed face.
"Since your words have drawn from
the obscure recess Of memory, many in
felicitous events, will endeavor to relate
the grander facts eliminated during the
last ten years Of my existence"