Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-03-18

ment to the body, thought it Paradise
upon this sublunary sphere. That morning
meeting was but prelude to several others
/ Oft we met and rambled in search of wilC
flowers to decorate her bower, although flow
ers Of all varieties grew in luxuriant exube
rance around her dwelling, yet she prefer.
red to Gull from natures vase to adOrn hers
! Time passed on; spring had become
merged into summer, scorching summer
My father had oft written to me to return
but [ always pleaded my health not fully
restored. But one day received a letter
peremptorily commanding me to come home
immediately, as he wished me to go west tc
transact some business for the firm, (for
had been admitted on my twenty-frst birth
day. which could not be delayed. Only
one day remained for me to prepare to leave
scenes [ SO highly cherished. But one in
teryiew more Carrie, and then-would we
ever meet again for I loved her dearly it
was my first and my only love.
| It was evening-the eve before the day,
was to return home; with sad and OPP
pressed feelings approached Carries home
| Oh, how feryently [ wished she could 60
with me-; but no; she could not leave her
parents in their declining years. Carrie
was standing by the gate watching my COM
ing. [ advanced slowly, and, taking her
hand, led her from the gate. The full moon
was wheeling her way up the dark vault Of
Heaven, preceded by Lyra, as herald to the
approaching queen ofnight. We neared the
beach where oft before we had walked to-
gether hand in hand. Leading her to a rock
we sat down.
Carrie, dear Carrie, this is the last time
that 1 will walk this pebbly shore with you
for many months, for tomorrow leave for
home, for my fathers counting house, to
bury myself among prosy ledgers, Or else
speed to distant city to transact business
for the firm
land shall not see you again p
''Soon, I hope dear Carrie, All, since I
have been with you [ have learned to love
you, to look upon you as my guardian an
gel, for such you really seem to be-
''And I, toe, dear Rule, have learned to
love you deeply, truly"
Oh, how happy was at that moment,
with Iez leaa :1llla=zad zas.- Il
ardently I clasped her to my bosom, i'm
printing kisses, pure, fond kisses upon her
lovely brow.
"And you will be my dear, loving wife p
Sometime, but not now, Rule, you will
return to your home, and among the many
ladies you meet you may find one whom you
could lcTe bette; than j.
I s.Neyer, dear Carrie, none that [ could
love as well as thee"
You may, Rule haywood viii be court
ed by the fashionable for his wealth, his
moral worth, and for his intellectual beauty;
and among the fair devotees one may be
found that will supplant the wild rose Oft
field in his estimation"
''You wrong me, Carrie; I love you,
none but you, nor ever SHALL"
Oh, the fond embraces, the rapturous
kiss, and the loving endearments ere we
parted and, as we stood by the open gate,
she plucked this simple moss rose bud, and
placed it in my hands.
''Here, dear Rule, take this bud; it is
an emblem of our true lore; for, Rule, [ be-
lieve you love me-
We parted The iron horse was soon
snorting on his way to the city; but I
thought Of aught else but Carrie and the
rose bud. Arrived at home, deposited it
in rich case, and ever kept it near me. I
was sent to St. Louis; consignment of frs
was expected, and was to take charge Of
them. I wrote to Carrie whittier / had
gone, and expected to be gone six months,
but soon as [ returned [ would come and
claim her as my bride.
ST. Louis was soon reached and [ imme-
diately sat about my duties with all possible
dispatch, to surprise my parents. But two
weeks and would be on my way to the east.
But how vain are human hopes. The Sc
we're labor and exercise [ had undergone
was too much for my constitution. I grew
sick long weeks | languished upon bed
of suffering, lowering between life and
death for weeks I was delirious, raving,
incoherently calling Carrie, blaming her for
not appearing; accusing her of Inconsistency.
The crisis had arrived; powerful opiate
had been administered, and [ fell asleep,
strangers stood around me; my end was not
yet. | awoke and the fever had not abated
its violence. Oft have [ wished that | had
died then. Oft have I found myself ours
ing the evil time that [ was saved NV
parents stood by me; asked for Carrie
they answered not; [ glared fercely and
begged to be told where she was, and would
have rushed from the house, sick as [ was:
but powerful hands held me firmly sank
back Oh my pillow helpless. Another OPT
ate was given and fell asleep.
The morning sun was shining brightly in
the room at the easement windows when [
awoke all seemed like a dream. Nine
months had passed since left the east and
my dearest Carrie. Oh love! all potent
power that had so preyed up 1ne, where now
was the brightest object of my regard. [