The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-04-22


the territory Illuminated by the lone star,
and one or two suggested that he must be
an imposter. a ...
At length the dinner bell sounded, and
the Captain desc ended to the cabin, but he
found all the seats at the upper end of
the board occupied. and was turning to
retire. when the head waiter interfered,
and conducted him to the lowest part of
the table, where he discovered vacant
chair among the ladies. A brief and in
voluntary glance showed that ne was on
the verge of constellation of radiant
faces; but they all seemed to have socie
ty and protection in companions of the
strong gender, save only one.
She was girl some eighteen years of
age robed in deep mourning; and whether
it might be this circumstance, exciting
sympathy by calling to mind his own sor
row, or the peculiar charms of her person,
which facinated his soul, Captain Thomas
did not attempt. on the instant to deter
mine; but he felt an immediate and almost
magical interest in the sad visage shining
from the opposite seat
1t is true, he did not at first think her
beautiful. Her form and features though
exquisitely symmetrical, looked too small
and childlike for such poetical epithet;
for the term little might be applied to her
as whole apparently in every part. Her
face, bust, bosom, hands, feet, were all
little, save pair Of large almond, shaped
eyes, dark as night, and curtained by
lorg raven lashes, which gave them a soft
dreamy expression; while the rich black
hair aud golden warmth of Southern COM
| plexion furnished q striking resemblance
to the favorite portrait of the immortal
Titan
The Captain could not remove his
gaze from the unique visage before him.
Had he seen that face somewhere in his
wanderings in Italy or the sunny Orient?
He thought, but misty memory, revolving
the vague shadows of the past, could fix
on no definite time or place for identity,
and he dismissed the Illusion as the image
of dream.
Presently she raised her dark eyes, and
slightly starting, scrutinized his countc-
nance in her turn, with signs of strange
emotion, and then, family blushing. with
drew her glance, and soon returned 10 the
parlor But Captain Thomas sought in
vain to Danish from his mind tina one
lco'i, luminous as lightning which had
flashed tn. Ugh his brain when their eyes
mst. 1t appeared like both recognition
from the past and revelation of the fu-
ture, and yet he could not imagine what
was the charm that so wonderfully moved
him. 1t could not be love, or even admi.
ration, for he had often beheld more be au
tiful features without so much as an addi
tiona heart throb, but none had ever in
spired him with such deep interest and Sc
earnest desire for an introduction.
Led by his sudden and unaecountabl'
impulse he seated himself near the folding
doors at the entrance to the ladies' cabin
!. and covering his curiosity under the pre-
text of reading some books, he watched
the fair unknown with stealthy glances
He perceived that while others wer
laughing, chatting and making new ac
quaintances, she remained absorbed in re
lection. No one addressed her, and, a
: he thought, many eyes glanced at her witt
looks of undisguised scorn and contempt
Nor was he mistaken in this involuntar,
conjecture; for as she not only Travelled
; without an escort or companion, but ha'
come alone on board to start, the elite o
the female passengers had set her down a
once doubtful character to be studious
ly stunned, or insulted if she displayed tn
least presumption of claim to courtes
or equality. She observed the genera
state of offensive feeling, and it seemed t
; irritate as we'll as pain her. ;t.l.F
However, an opportunity soon presente
itself for an ample and most justifabl
revenge Several ladies in successio
took their places at the piano; but non
of them did much credit to themselves a
artists After they had all finished thei
!, grating discords, the dark eyed girl as
sumed the vacant seat, and played with
out an apparent effort, wild, bewitchins
! and very difficult air, with such consnn
, !, mate success as to astonish and enraptur
! every unprejudiced auditor. '','' ''5' :
e She then began another of greater sim
e plieity and the most tender pathos, and q
e the same time. sung the words-a toucl
n ing requiem for the dead-with such effet
r as to draw tears like rain drops from
,. score of eyes. Her voice, at once lout
e clear. and inexpressibly sweet, fingered 0
e the ear, and wandered at will through a
the flying notes in the scale of harmon!
as if nightingale had been imprisoned
n her silver throat, or viewless seraph ho'
e cred on her lipsl Politicians, merchant
;, and even whiskered gamblers, bounde
: from their chairs, and swarmed TOWARD
r the door of the drawing-room, entrance
e by the magical melody. t.s
d But the brows of the scornful femal
r around her only grew the blacker vii
IS envy and modification, and one of the
!, urged her lover to insult the girl by an iu
a pertinent question. Accordingly the get
n tleman, who boasted, besides his gauc
Il 4 L