Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-12-09
Written for the Spirit of Age.
LETTERS FROM THE HEARTHSIDE.
Inscribed to the Social Circle"
BY GERTRUDE PERRY.
CONTINUED FROM OUR LAST.
THE IDEAL, AND THE REAL.

BY GERTRUDE PERRY.
CoNTINUED FROM OUR LAST.
THE IDEAL AND THE REAL
You know, dear girls, that | am an only
child, and that my home is not far from Ger
ties, being on the western shore of the deep
blue Chesapeake: Great was the interest Ia.
ken by my parents in my early education.-
Ny mother saw that my temperament was
naturally enthusiastic and poetical. Judi
ciously she selected my reading, and she gave
into my hands, only the sweet, sad songs Of
Mrs. Hemans, and the pure and beautiful
productions of the pens of Grace Aquilen,
Mrs. Lee Hentz, Mrs. Gray, and others, whose
writinesA ARE equally Dut the very
spirit of those sweet, poetic fancies, were
breathed over my heart. | looked on life
through a rosy medium, nor dreamed that
earth contained so much of sin, and so very
much of falsehood. | expected to find in ev-
cry man a ".Guy Carlton" to be loved and
r%everenced with an enthusiasm equal to gen.
tie "Fleda's." AND | did not dream but that
earth held many Mrs. Hamiltons, and expect
ed to find the pure Herbert, and the honora-
BILE and chivalrous Percy in every man | en-
countered. Happy in my belief in the exalt-
ed character humankind generally, with aheart
as pure as sunny spring, with unclouded
ldlLl dIlu WIN, uOCp lONC VI all ILllI11S UeduLl-
full in life, | went forth upon my life path
Perilously fashioned indeed, to bear my part
in life's serious, and sometimes painful duties
l had not been home from school long, be-
, fore society invited with its thousand attrac-
tons to share and contribute to it's interest
and enjoyment. Many pleasant and delight
r full associations were formed, and | thought |
had realized many of my dreams. Yet far
t down in my heart was mirrored an ideal face,
r with brow of pensive grace, dark eyes, win
e ming smile, and its haunting presence was
), with me ever. Among those who came and
went to and from my pleasant home, were
two, destined to exert a powerful influence
over my life. Edwin Decosta, and William
Allison, names that have both become en-.
l. twined around my heart, though at different
t. times, and in widely dissimilar ways. Edwin
of Decosta was a tall, and elegant man of twen:
ty-seven or eight years of age, and a man Of
! the world in every sense of the word. In his
manners was that gentle, graceful deport
ment, so well calculated to impress a lady
re heart. His dark eyes were very beautiful il
no their soft and winning light, his smile wa
peculiarly sweet, and the tones of his voice
,e. low, rich and mellow. William Allison wa
nj in many things the direct antipode Of Edwi1
- Decosta. He was not so handsome, thougl
= tall and fine looking, with a person of slende
fe' and graceful elegance, and the gentleman t
Ier be seen in every movement. Upon his broa
est white forehead, sat the impress of a "mee
re- and quiet spirit" yet almost contradicted b
les the expression of the clear blue eyes tia
sparkled beneath. Unlike Edwin who wa
independent, William was the clerk of a coul
- try merchant, and though poor, yet loved ar
." respected by all who knew him, for his NOR
[ty, integrity, and social and religious worth
Un M 4-1 aoron ra0r1arl- - 49, L
zza home, and were there welcomed by my p
ON rents, who admired them both. At first,
the felt inclined to believe William Allison W
a. my favorite. Yet as time passed, Edwin gra
ually usurped his place, and alas for me, t
teu best place in my hitherto, free young hea,
DOT. did not long resist the spell Of those da
alta ewes, that had so often flashed their false Al
nee fatal light upon other hearts than mine.
tain Gradually | learned to expect the sure Co
ing step, whose light tread made music so
ten in my home. In company he was ey
AZ at my side, with those gentle and delicate
'ne ~tentions, so winning to the sensitive heart
q young girl. Unconsciously / learned
ain, love him. He was the embodiment of /
own girlish dream of the noble and the good, a
loved him with the pure, spiritual devoti,
the of a woman's first affection. How coul'
dow know that those same gente' winning 10
rood like attentions, nad Oeeh gwen Cme anu ag
to other hearts, and other shrines than mil
That to win my1ove was but the play,
rom pastime of his idle hours Months glided
ugh leaving sunbeams ofhappiness lingering TO,
nv heart. William divided my attent
en- more than any other, with Edwin Decosta
noise There were times when my heart saddle
who under the ought1 ana sorroWIul eye
William Allison. Yet with heart and N
come $500 I4,rned coldlv from the low hraat
TO see vows Of sincere affection to the false i
no. off dark and winning eve. How true tn