Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-08-11


! During the prosecution of his studies here.
his society was much sought after, and amidst
| the gay and busy maze OF fashionable life and
| fashionable associations with which he was sur
| rounded. it was not thought strange that he
| should select an object for his more particular
attention and confidence. \ Nor when his mark
ed attentions evinced in whom this confidence
was placed, was the surprise of any one ex-
cited, for the object selected was lust such an
one as noble and discriminating mind. and
good heart might be expected TO single ont.
On this lady, then just so far his junior in
life as to make their disparity in years har-
monize in a parity of thought and feeling,
Charles looked with all the bright and promis-
ing prospec i've that adOrns first love.
To his glance her soft and piercing eye gave
the ever ready response of devotion, and every
approach to her presence seemed to stir soul
| within him that wasto him as pure as though
| she had Irradiated her own around him, and
infused him in its halo.
A short time of such blissfuI revclry passed,
| cmbalmed in thousand dreams of the future
and Charles was brought to the green box of
the college to stand the test of his matricula-
tion in his profession.
lie passed his examination with honor, and
went into the world with the evidence thereof,
under the seal of an ancient and respected al
ma mater. Charles had parents residing in
one of the West India Islands, from whom he
friend and guardian, and engaged in the COM
plction of his education, and now he felt de-
termination to put into execution a long cx-
pressed desire to visit them.
In 4 few weeks he left this port on his dcs-
tnation, leaving behind him his plighted faith
TO his bctrothed TO return and claim her at the
expiration of a brief absence.
Charles arrived at the home of his parents
but found it desoate, and the ruins of a once
beautiful mansion, with surrounding estate at
tached TO the domain of ncighboring strang-
er. An insurrection had recently taken place
to the island his father had fallen a victim
TO tie infuriate madness OF his own rebelious
household, and his mother, who with other fc-
males OF the island, were early placed
board a vessel at the nearest port, for security,
had with her companions, long since been
given up as lost at sea- the vessel never having
been heard of since her departure from the
island.
Overwhelmed with such unexpected and
tragical bereavement, and thrown upon the
world without a prospect or security against
the slightest yicissitude that might ovcrta1e
him, Charles lost all recollection of his former
hopes and happiness, and gave up in detection,
all the rich anticipations of 4 happy union
with the idol of his love.
Years passed by, and while he remained in
the place OF his nativity, sedulously occupied
iii the prosecution of his profession as his
only means of livelihood. the sweet recipient
of his plightcd love, still bound in the cndu-
ring chain Of woman's pure and first pledged
affection, bent like the dropping lily beneath
the blast of unanticipatcd neglect, had in Sc
ciusion from society, and the exercise of
Christian charities and devotion, sought
balm for her wounded heart.
In short period change took place in the
government of the island on which Charles
was resident, and a spirit of returning justice
and humanity directed the attention of the
authorities 10 the restitution of the estates
which had been ruthlessly serzed upon by the
nearest surviving inhabitant, after the dread
ful and bloody slaughter of the inSurrcctiOn.
The evidence of the claim which was made
by Charles to his patrimony plain and
clear, that he was among the first to receive
his estate, and by it, to be placed again in
condition OF competency.
\ climate to which he was unaccustomed,
the effects of the sudden disasters that had
befalicn him, and the assiduty with which he
prosecuted his profession, had however, made
such fatal inroads upon his constitution as to
leave little hope for long or happy enjoyment
of his new possessions.
BY the advice of his own Judgment, which
the only monitor admitted by him into
his confidence, he sold for the first price he
could obtain, all his interests in the island,
and sailed from it with the determination of
seeking more congcnial home and a last "a
biding place, in the land of his youthful re-
miniSCences.
He arrived at Philadelphia but few moths
previous to the period of his deccase, and
sought and received the companionship of
the very few of his early friends who were
seen standing around his bedside In the hour
of his death. First of these he had placed
the narrator of these circumstances to me,
who bad been the means of my Introduction
TO the painful scene above described, and who
had been his classmate in his professional
studies.
He ventured not however, even TO him to
breathe the name of her TO whom he had dero-
ted the first fondest affection of his heart, lest
TO his inquiry he should invite n response, that
he felt his weak and shattered nature unable
to withstand.
To beguile his time and divert his attention
as far as possible, from the devastation that an
incurable disease was working on his remnant
of mortality, his friend frequently induced him
to take a seat with him in his daily round OF
visits to those who claimed his professional
relief. On one of these occasions, just as the
friends were leaving the door together, ser
want dressed in plain and modest livery, came
to the cab, and handed note for the doctor.
Charles pointed to his friend, to whom the
note was Immediately delivered. On opening
the note, it proved to be an envelope to fee,
with the request for the immediate attendance
of the doctor upon poor woman who lay IN
a dangerous situation.
No name signed to the request, but the
neat female chirography was Immediately re-
cognized by the physician.
1t was the successor of several similar IA
vors from an anonymous patron, who had for
some time excited the livcliest curiosity of the
doctor but of whom, with all his anxiety, he
could learn nothing farther than that she was
called among the poor the Christian lady, and
that most of her time was devoted to visiting
the needy sick, and administering to the ne
cessities of the unfortunate and destitute.
The mention of these circumstances ELECTED