Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-09-15
ORIGINAL PAPERS,
Written for the Spirit Of the Age.
A THRILLING STORY.
AN DER TRUE TALE OF LOVE.
by MoLLIE."

Amid the romantic scenery of the APP
penine hihs Of Western North Carolina,
there lived at the time our story begins,
two families, between whom there existed
every dissimilarity, except that of virtuous
honesty and open-hearted, generous hospi-
tality. The one prided itself upon noble
ancestry, princely domain and all the lux
uries attended upon wealth, education and
an elevated position in society; while the
other, though poor, was equally proud of a
conscious honesty Of principle, and the con
fidence and respect Of their more highly
favored neighbors.
Upon lofty eminence, stood the ele-
CANT mansion of Mr.. Leroy, with its parks
and meadows, its walks and groves, and all
that was calculated to charm the eve and
please the taste Of its highly cultivated pro-
prietor His well-titled acres spread out in
vast magnifcence upon the table land a.
round, lent an additional charm to the
grandeur Of the scenery which nature had
embellished with its proudest and most ma
jcstc handiwork.
In the contiguous valley quietly rested
the unpreteading homestead of Mr.. Sum
merield-one ofnature's noblemen--a mar
Of strict integrity, and though "b.cl
woodsman" in the fullest sense of that term
yet in no mans heart flowed more of th
milk Of human kindness, or who could b.
more safely relied upon as a firm, unfinch
ing friend.
Between these two families there existc,
the strongest friendship, which finally ri
pened into the closest intimacy. For the
the lordly retired merchant Of immens
wealth could count his worth by thousand
multiplied, and the hqnest-heartedS Summer
Acid depended upon the mountain gam
and his small patch Of ground for the SUP
port Of his family, yet the farmer had leal
ned he was a man for a that and honor
cd and confided in him-and when tn
merchant princes of Charleston would Wis
the luxurious country seat Of Leroy, whol
he would honor with sumptuous entertain
ments, Sunneriield was always an invite
guest, and shared the Injuries of his m
nihcent banquets And many thriIlir
story Of daring adventure and hair-bread
escapes, in his encounters with the ferocio
panther, the subtitle bear, and the vii
swooping descent Of the daring eagle, d
he detail, to the infinite qualification of i
auditors.
Between the female heads of these far
lilies there also existed kind and friend
intimacy, Mrs. LeRoy, like her intellige
and sensible husband, regarded not I
wealth and polish of an individual As t
only true test Of excellence Of heart a
charactcr-sh therefore esteemed NJ
Summerheld as one worthy of her col
dencc and respect, and cheertully rect
nized her as a neighbor and friend.
But as our story chiefly concerns 9th
Younger than those we have yet mention
we must hasten to its denouement
Ella was an only daughter of the LeRo
and was but ten years old when her
rents, amply rewarded by industrious etfo
escaped from the miasmatic regions
Charleston and took up their residence
their mountain home in the saluhri
cline Of Western North Carolina-excell
then as at the present time, by none on
green earth, for its magnificent scene
fertAa valleys, and intelligent, hospita
people.
Betwe~ her and Charles Summerf
a lew years. year, n <, senior, and an only sol
ner r,. '"vnv, WV mo at neighbors, very nj
rally grew up - intimacy and fri(
Ella and ChaAes were
ions-in her rambles Throughout comp
the meadowy lawn, in search of>ssores
was ever by her side--no wild honey:
lie or jessamine clambered so tower
and clingingly to the mountain crag
his daring could reach it for his en-
lover. Accustomed to the games o
chase with his father, he was daring,
successful and many we're the troph
laid at her feet, the result of his skill
the rifle. On one occasion he succ
in capturing withoutinjury 4 beautiful
and with joyous heart he proceed
present it to her whose gratification'
happiness now seemed to engross eve
sire Of his heart.
Thus passed five happy, brief--ah
brief--years in undisturbed ami nm,
bng pleasure to these youthful k,;e
for only as such had they, in the inn,
of their hearts, regarded each otbA,
length it was announced by her y
that in few weeks Ella must leawy AZ
quiet home, with all its romantic love
bid adieu to her parents and friend
long twelve-month, to enter a bo
school in the interior Of South Caro-
Oh with what sadness and sorrc
this uuwelcome intelligence recei,
Charles, and shall we not add, by
sol Yes-both sorrowed-thcy
long enjoyed each others compan,