The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-07-02
THE FOUR PILES OF GOLD RINGS,
OR, THE VOICE OF OLD TIMEl

THE -FOUR PILES OF GOLD RINGS,
OR, THE VOICE OF OLD TIME!
Il was with mingled feelings that Mari.
on Ellesmere retired to own her room
the night before her wedding. a light
cloud Of self-reproach rested on her mind
cloud 90 light that she scarcely knew
whence Il arose, or would have been aware
Of its presence, but for the shadow Il cast
over her spirits. Her sisters smile, as she
babe her good night, had been oil brightness
why should there be less joy in the heart
of the bride Of Atherton? With her long
fair hair over her shoulders, and her eyes
shaded by her hand, Marion safe in her arm
chair, and gave herself up to thought.
"To-morrow! day long hoped for, and yet
half dreaded! Inm at last indeed on the eve
Of that great change which must alter the
whole current of my life. What new duties;
What responsibilities! But he will ever be.
near, to guide, to encourage, to make the path
Of duty delightful to me. I shall lean on
him and trust him. am indeed the most
blest Of woman in his love. l would not
change my lot, no, not to be empress Of the
world. And yet"-Marion heaved n deep
sigh, then almost started at the sound Of
that sigh, alone as she was, with the still
night around her; the color rose to her cheek.
as II in indignation at herself--"and yet
am not worthy to be his wlfel He, whose
spirit is 30 pure, SO lofty, so far above the
world and its vanities, could titles, or riches,
or anything else raise him? When am be.
side him, how deeply feel this; seem to
breathe purer atmosphere, to see things as
they really are; but when am surrounded
by others, then-I know not how it is-but
there is an influence which they exercise, nm
almost insensible power-trihes move me;
know them to be folly and vanity, yet can
not despise them as ought to do. OH how
weak am, how worldly; how unworthy of
him" Marion sank back on her chair, and
her long lashes were moist with her tears.
She sat long, her light burned low, every
sound in the house was stilled. Presently
the walls Of her apartment seemed 10 recede
around her, with the strange indistinctness
of dissolving Wow; marble pillars arose on
either side, gradually assuming form and
size, while the carpet on which Marion's feet
had rested, spread into wide pavement of
MOSAIC. Aud Marion was no longer alone;
n strange form was beside her, of more than
human stature, and men unlike TINT of NOR
tai man. His long SILVER hair gave to him
the appearance Of age, but m unearthly fire
glowed in his deep set eyes, from beneath
his white eyebrows which overhung them
His dress was dim and indstnct, ever chang
ing in form and hue; now dark as the lower
ing thunder-cloud, now like the white mis-
which curs round the mountain, anon tingei
ms with the dying tints of the rainbow. IL
his hand the old man grasped scythe, sharr
and glittering: Marion felt that she was ia
the presence of old Time.
"Look there!" he exclaimed; and the
strange tones of his voice sounded like the
wind through the arches Of a ruin. Marion
beheld before her what appeared white al
tar of marble, sculptured and festooned with
many colored flowers, with fragrance MOI
like those of earth.
"What see you before you?" said Time
"what glitters on yonder marblel"
81 see nothing but piles Of bright colder
rings, like that which l shall wear to.mor
row." replied Marion. It was strange that il
the presence Of such companion, she fel
neither wonder nor fear.
"And are they all alike 7" said old Time.
GAIL are alike save they are divided int,
four different heaps"
The old man laughed how wild and un
earthly sounded that laugh! "They hav'
been framed by different Makers" said he; I"
carry the touch-stone to prove them. Sc,
the first heap-a goodly array, trow: thel
are Follys workmanship; while passionate
lovers choose from thence, who would barte
life for flower or n smile! Flatterers nnt
the fattered draw from that pile. Folly gives
and Vanity receives. Poets string their fan
cies on rings such rs these, and lay them a
the feet of romance-loving damsels, wht
look upon life as drama, of which the,
themselves are the heroines. Stand back
Althea approaches-she must have rinl
from that pile"
Then Marion beheld advancing towards
them a youthful couple, radiant with happi
ness and love. The maiden was surprising
. fair; her white vail half concealed her blush
ing countenance, but her soft eyes were fix
ed upon her companion, whose every loo
and tone expressed love the most ardent an
devoted. lie kissed the white trembling han
upon which hc placed the ring, and Mario
} watched the welded pair rs they slowly re
tired to remote part of the temple. "Surc
y they are happy" thought she. She wa
reused by the voice of old Time.
"Mark you the second heap!" said he, point
ing with his scythe. "'rhose rings have bee
r fashioned by Worldliness, ever since IN
comrade, the Earth, was yourg. Those VIII
seek money, those who seek rank, who Sc
themselves for title or an estate, maiden
} who dread to become old maids, the fortune
hunter, the ambitious, the proud - thes
chose from the second heap. or such is Ju
la, whose bridal procession is drawing nea
Jewels upon her brow, no love within he
| haort aha gives hersalf awav IN , c,rr;o1