Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-10-15

and she was wtha such beauty that the stranger had
forgotten what was going on around him, and found
himself completely absorbed in her conversation.
Do not refuse shelter, my dear. child he re-
Piled am stranger. in strange land, and if do
not receive protection here shall be at the mercy of
yonder dreadful storm give me but lodging until the
morning and you shall be rewarded for your hospital
ty."
Mother said the little girl addressing an invalid
stretched upon bed of sickness in one corner of the
lowly cottage, " shall we let him come in ?"
Yes, my child,'' replied a weak, feeble voice. q
could not think of refusing to entertain my worst
my on such evening as this. You must remember
what your Bible says, my darling, Be not orgetul to
entertain strangers for thereby have entertained
angels unawares,' " The invalid said no more.
The stranger entered without addressing either of the
sick people, for he had been charged by the little girl not
to do order to prevent any exerton either of body
or mind so fatal to their hqalth-but drawing seat
was soon sitting before cheerful fire, thing he had
not enjoyed before since his departure from his home
Everything about the hut had air of neatness which
proved to the stranger that though poor, they
neat industrious people; everything was arranged in
admirable order.
The people of whom we have spoken afflu-
eEt happy people but the stern DEGREES of fortune had
ordered that their happiness was transory; that it
must pass away, and they doomed to the life in
which the traveller found them. That destroying angel
consumption employed by the Eternal for the destruc
tion of many of the human race had nearly done its
work upon these poor victims.
Our traveller had not been seated long before he was
invited to partake of an humble meal prepared by the
hands of the little maiden herself She made no apollo
gy for the repast, although it was evident to her
guest unaccustomed to such rough fare. Poeness
forbade his disclosing this fact and he nduged quite
free y perhaps, he would have done at meals far
pre-endng. He returned to his seat not, however,
til he had determined within himself to get the story Of
these singular people from the little girl when oppor
tunity should present itself
She began Il cannot remember, sir, anything of my
life beyond my sixth year., this she said in very low
tone Of voice. indeed they both did for fear of distur
bing the sick. | remember having heard that good
woman say, that founding alluding to the sick
woman She has been as kind to me, though she
my mother, and adopted as her child when
| was poor helpless babe, but six months Of age'-
Here she burst into tears, and the stranger thinking it
mprudent to question her further asked her to desst
for he very readily that to her. at least, it not
very pleasant task.
| Being very wear he retired to an humble couch,
and did king in his palace enjoy more refresh
ing nights repOse He awoke early the next morning,
and was reioced to find that the storm had ceased it's
fury, the clouds had passed away and the just
gliding the eastern horizon with his gorgeous hues The
traveller after bidding adieu to the fair little creature,
with many heartfelt wishes for the recovery Of her par
ents, resumed his journey.
CHAPTER
The traveller of whom we spoke in the last chapter,
was the son of wealthy Southern planter and at the
time we find him at the cottage on his way North
| to celebrated institution of learning. Charles, or
Charley Mason as he was famiarly called, was young
man about seventeen years of age In his youth every
indulgence which wealth could afford was at his com
mand but this. instead OF causing him to put false
estimate upon the blessings which he enjoyed, learned
him to appreciate them for he knew that he had many
which Onehalf of the human could not hope for
He friend Of the poor, quality that developed
itself from his infancy AT the common schools of his
State, where he had spent the most of his life, he
always the lion of the day, not because he wealthy
but from his generous, Warmhearted nature Never
did the poor appeal to him for assistance and go away
empty. AS he grew in years, an intimacy sprang up
between himself and young maiden in his neighbor-
hood well to do in the world himself, which soon
ripened into the most ardent attachment the part O
both. For six long years this attachment cherish
ed between the youthful lovers and it not until al
ter he had gained her consent to marriage at u
ture day. and solemn promise the part of each tC
correspond regularly, did Charley Mason consent to
leave home, father, mother friends and above all his
Clara The day at length arrived which was set apart
for his dearture He knew not whether he should
again behold the babbng brooks, and lovely vaes
which be was wont to glide in days which were past
and gone, not knowing whether he should again be
hold that tender mother who had watched him in
his infancy, and who even unremitng in hel
attentions to make her only boy happy, that indul
gent father, who lived only by the smiles of his sons
happy countenance those friends whose smiles hac
cheered him through the rugged pathway Of life anG
science and above all that brghteyed maiden, his love
ly Clara Morton, who was his life, his all The young
and tender heart, susceptible it to all the gener
Gus impulses of nature, melted-ears rushed to his
eyes, and he could not suppress his sobs as he gldeC
away from his home, sweet home, and all its endearine
associations The thoughts of the future filled his mind
he could not promise himself anything of happiness
away from all that was lovely Eaway from home among
people whose habits of lfe whose conversation, and
whose everything in direct antagonism to his own
Among people who regarded by the people o
the other sections Of the country codhearted devoid
of sympathy and all that goes to make man a noble
creature Such anticpations enough to make the
young heart quail he thought of what awaited him
four years confinement among people, such we have
described Agreeaby, however, was he disappointed
reaching his destination to find that there, in that
land of snow were true and manly hearts pulsa
ted in the bosom of any of Gods creature man, that
there were hearts that beat in mournu unison with
those at home, at the temporary loss of darling son
that there were hearts socitOus for his welfare
Clara Morton in his bright sunny South. Fol-
four years Charley Mason remained at the institution
of which have spoken. By his urDanity of
gentlenes of disposition and good conduct he endeareC
himself to ali. Pupil and teacher alike bound tc
each other by the tender ties OF the most ardent friend
ship, and never was there such gloom cast over the
hearts OF all, there when it announced thai
the day had arrived for him to return home Friends
crowded around him, and tears flowed freely the car
rage that bore him away slow receded from view
Charley Mason cast one long last farewell upon tht
granQ nall OF science from WHICH lie just
ged, laden with the highest honors The old bell which
had time after time summoned him to public worship
tolled mournully last farewell.
At last he is gone involuntary exclaimed the part
ners of the tolls joys and sorrows of his college life
r They had repaired to an eminence to catch the las
glimpse of the carriage which bore him away from thos
he loved with mournfu tread they return again to TIN
College hall Tie we'll known peal of the old bell agair
sommons them to divine worship they meet but gloon
hangs ALL the very house itself to participate