Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-11-10
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA,

choking out the young bud of promise,
which mothers hand had planted. Down
the broad way Of sin | hurried, at fear
ful speed. But thanks be to God was
savedp
"Once, calm sweet face looked kindly
upon me and loved it. Oh ! it was
pure, holy feeling to be kindled in boz
som which had been always cold and des-
olate. A new hope warmed my breast
A new life seemed to have opened in up
on my ravished soul. In my dreams, in
my walks, in the blackest hours Of mid
night, those soul-beaming eyes were ever
upon me. When went out in the silyery
moonlight, fairy form seemed to fut-
ter by my sides When was about to do
wrong, that same sweet face looked re-
provingly upon me. / loved her wor-
shipped her! My beautiful Helen! Such
a form such face And she was as
good as she was beautiful But cannot
tell you all. 1t is enough for you to know,
that | loved her-loved her as the Ma
homedan loves paradi Sc
| did not see her many times. When
did, it only made the fame burn fercer,
stronger, than before But oh it was
sweet, very sweet, to have ones soul to
burn with that pure, bright flame of heav-
en-born passion-to be sacrifice upon its
altar. And | prayed God to watch over
the first, warm love of my heart. 1t was
long time before [ ever dared to tell her
Of my love; and was very happy, when
she laid her little hand in mine and told
me that she loved me-that she had loved
me from the first. Yes, | was happy! But
felt my own unworthiness. Sometimes
half believed the bright being of day
dreams was some good angel, some holy
messenger, sent from that far off land Of
golden homes, to lead me from the path of
sin and guide my wandering steps back to
my mother-to heaven. [ shudered when
thought SO fair flower might be pluck
ed away and transplanted in fairer
land--a more congenial cline than this
And | feared the more, when | saw my
little flower fade and grow pale, as
the dying rose of summer. We no more
heard her merry, joyous laugh, nor saw her
fit away over the meadows to pluck the
flowers she used to love. At last she was
confined to the stiffness of her sick cham
Der. Sometimes redder, healthier glow
would tinge her cheek, but it was only the
hectic flush with which consumption paints
its victim. She never walked by my side
any more. Awhile she fingered to look
upon me with holier, tenderer gaze, and
then calmly and peacefully closed her eyes
in death Yes she died
cat her bedside, promised to meet bel
in heaven. And something seems to tel
me, that | shall. | looked one long Ions
look Of love upon that pale face, sill beau
tiful in death, and departed. | could no
bear to see the clods piled upon that beau
tiful breast. The LAST link of affection tha
bound me to earth was severedp'
There he paused for long time. w
sat wrapped in thought, gazing upon tn
summit of a neighboring crag. 1 coul,
not break his reverie 1t was too solemn
too holy atime, to tamper with his thought.
At length he continued :
Il thought | should be alone. But
have ofttimes felt the breath of her snow
wings. She is an angel now. She hover
over me! She seems to look upon m,
when | am tempted, with that same gaz
of reproof and love. Once, l thought sh
sat beside me in this place. l may hav
been mistaken. But I have often though
that those we love may sometimes forsaE
their celestial abodes to visit us. No, n
it cannot have been the work of imagin
ton. felt her warm breath upon m
cheek. | heard the rustic of her angel ga
ments. | saw form, glowing with tin
pure and warm from heaven. But look
| see her now She hovers over yon elf
See the flashes of her wings"
i l looked but could see nothing.
"She beckons to me-" he exclaimed, Isl
: bids me come p
looked again.
When turned my eyes upon him,
If spirit had passed oaUay! Without sig
l. his soul went up to its Maker. The pa
!, sorrowful student was at rest. The wea
1t wanderer would hear the taunts and ice
/ OF his companions no more His for
s was too frail to meet the rude jostlings
N students life VITA an unfaEtering STEP
e The plant had been reared in too calm a
sunny cline, to breast the cold blasts
d. the heartless throng. Perhaps Angel ey
ot could have seen two white robed bein
IN fitting away, among the golden edg
g clouds, which lay here and there piled
ID to heaven.
lie He lay very beautiful in death W
his hands folded upon his breast ant
IL smile upon his countenance.
se' They buried him in the old church Y;
of his native village, by the side OF the {
: he loved SO dearly-his own beauti
us HELEN! May their sleep be peaceful
in