Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-10-13
For the Spirit of the Age.
THE
nY EFFIE GRAHAM,
CHAPTER /,
ny EFFIE GRAHAM,

Stern old winter, with his chilling blasts,
snow, winds and rains was once again de-
parting. The f%eathery snow flakes which
noiselrssly bad enshrouded the earth in a
pure white mantle, were fast disappearing,
and the same voice that bid them depart,
unlocked the ice-bound stream and sent It's
waters again speeding onward to the rolling
ocean. The sadly wailing winds gradually
changed their mournfal notes to softer,
sweeter music, which fell soothingly on the
ear, While winters harsh bass notes grew
milder under their influence. Young and
old, rich AMI poor, all gladly said Good
bye, old winter aud waited with joyful,
loving hearts to Hshcr in bright, joyous
young Spring.
AMID the shout and welcomes Of multi
tudes, the bewitching Queen came merily
on. and rs she advanced, the sun looking
down shed brighter beams along her path
way, and called mp countless numbers Of
flowers, that from having been so long
sleeping beneath SHOWS far too cold, now
came forth IN bright, radiant costume to
she'd their delicious perfume on tAe ba'my
air. Perhaps the first to avail themselves
Of the many pleasures which $pring offers,
arc the goaRg. Their thoughts arc bent on
endowment then why should they not re-
ioicc at the return Of the season Of bud
ding flowers and uncIouded skies. IT'S
true winter has It's pleasurcs-quiet even
iugs,dclightful parties, charming sleigh rides
vet the heart Is ever seeking for some
thing new and they eagerly turn to the
pleasing varieties which Spring affords.
The little viliagc.of Summcrdale was all
excitement. There was to be a large Pic
mic, the first Of the season, and the youth
ful part Of the population especially were
very busy preparing for the occasion. The
day arrived, (as days generally do) Cen
tlcmcn smoothcd their moustaches and
with an air Of vanity considered themselves
perfectly ."g02sce ~ ladies gave n last linger-
ing look toward their mirrors, a sthey adjus-
ted a stray curl or tilted their straw flats
coguottishly 50 one side, all perhaps won
dsriug alike, Il reality could ever prove as
pleasant ms anticipation. 1t was decided,
after various consultations ON the mighty
subject, that they were all to ride on horse
back, aud there being an equal number Of
both sexes, each lady rider was duly atten-
ded by her "gallaut cavalier Altogether
il was a gay party. If there were any
whose hearts were "brcaking mid festive
scenes" YOU knew it not then, for light
tests and gay laughter were heard alike
fromal II ashley rode mcrrily on. Exclama-
tionso delight followed each otherin quick
succession asthe party ncared the chosen
spot, but at once w~ildlaughter was hushcd,
and instinctively they all stopped to gaze or
the eccne before them.
Nature. charming nature. man, Cod
own creature, could but pause there in 81
lent wonder to view thy resplendent beau
tics, which-shed around him holy influence
IN that wild, unfrcquented spot, he haC
never elsewhere met with in fashion
d~azzIinghall, princely palaces, orthe throng
ed cities man had adorned with artist
taste; for as the light of a dim taper be
side The great luminary, so are the work
of art in comparison to sublime nature
High hills sIoping with wild irregularit
loomcd upward To the north and west. q
another side u clear limpid stream, shade
by tho hawthorn branches, flowed smootl
~ on over its pebly bed, then growing MOI
noisy in proportion as it met with create
obstruction finally tumbled over Il massiy
rock and sparklcd with more than diamond
like brilliaucy as IL foamed and glittered
the sunlight. And on the other side the
stood, Just ready to enter the space with
1t too hal It's beauties. Giant trees TIA
had withstood tie blast for centuries, st
held out their huge branches, as they hi
done years before, when some lone lndi
may have sought the broad oaks shade c
the white mans axe had sounded throu!
the forest, aud where the proudest Indi
warrior would have been glad to have
last resting place; where towering tendr
hanging in ~festoons from the branches a
twining round the gnaried trunk wor
have enshrouded his burial place and scret
ed it from mortal eye. The axe had ne,
been at work on that spot it was as sacr
as untouched as when the desolate red N
last imprinted a track there, and bid his
tive forests forever farewell. And of this n
hapS some of our party were thinking,
they gued on in solemn silence, fearing
break the spell which seemed thrown
round them.
"Perhaps aEtera all, It's only distance lie
euehantment to the yiew,,n said the re
beauty, Augusta Somers "follow me,
will see" and suiting the action to the W
she rode forward followed by the rem,
der Of the party, and all was mirth az
rs before. After having dismounted t
were Soon ScditeFeul Throughout the grOu
some gathering flowers, some clambeI
up the steep hills which rose before ii
like miniature mountains, and others a,
grouped in ZONE shady nook, the suns
Just peeriagi In between the towering v
till they almost fancied themselves in
lattice-work bowers.
But there were two, who after a com,
survey Of the varied and picturesque SC
ry il view, which they gazod upon
intense interest and anon with silent
der, had wandered apart from the re
May DelyRle was seated upon a
moss-coyered stone by the brooklet. q
which white water lilies bent low till
long petals dropped in the crystal str
aud at her feet grew whole clusters o.
pale, blue-eycd Innocence; but the del
blossoms which dotted the green turf
MT aban,o tho violot f;ntoI -