Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-09-01

Henry returned, to make preparations for
his attendance on the Medical Lectures in
Philadelphia. During his short stay, pro-
testations of undying attachment and af-
lection were interchanged between the two
lovers, and sealing them with kiss, hal
lowed by pure and adultcrated love, Henry
took his departure for the North.
We will not follow him through his pur-
suits of knowledge suffice it to say that
IN due course of time he returned suffi-
ciently versed in the duties of his profess
ion to secure for him Di ploma from the
Medical Faculty. A location in some of
the then new Southwestern States had
been determined on as the scene of his
operations; and the date of my personal
knowledge OF these interesting personages
begins with the evening previous to the
anticipated departure of Henry Herbert to
seek home in the South.
AS traveller who had just received per-
mission to tarry there for the night, | soon
discovered that there was a sort of melan-
choly brooding over the faces of all the
household. Feeling an unhappiness, lest |
might be an intruder in the midst of some |
deep sorrow, feigning pretence to see to
the welfare of the noble animal that had
borne me over the rocks and mountains, | |
learned from the ostler the cause of all this
gloom and melancholy. Returning to the
house, was invited to take a seat in the
room with Mrs. Herbert, where, pensive
and alone, she seemed to be wrapt in gIoo-
my forebodings and anxious thought
Finding her little disposed to engage in
conversation, l picked up book which was
lying on the centre table; | opened, or
rather, it seemed to open of itself to a
place that gave signs of frequent perusal
and study. | soon found the book to be
'Dr. Rush's Lectures" and the well-worn
pages were those of his remarks upon the
injurious effects of Alcohol upon the hu-
man system. The fact that they gave
signs of being favorite study by some one
of that family, seemed to increase their in
|. terest to me; and though had often read
them before, commenced a re-perusal of
, them with renewed relish.
"That is empkatically true" l exclaim-
ed, as devoured the weighty facts and ar
guments Of the learned Doctor, upon the
: anu Ddu6lul CuCCIS Vi AlCOuOllC
, drinks. My remark, so suddenly and We
hemently expressed, seemed to rouse my
hostess from the deep reyerie into which
: she had fallen, and caused her to inquire
as to what it was in the work which met
with such an unqualified approval on my
part We soon entered into low, and
somewhat reserved conversation on her
| part, from which l learned the cause of
a her deep melancholy. The history of her
t early life, and the sad and deplorable end
n (who on enquiry found to be an old Col
d lege mate Of my own) of her husband were
J. all told, and the anxious solicitude she felt
e for her ouly child, who was just about en-
,r tering upon the busy arena of life, was al
ie disclosed. / spoke encouragingly to her
told her to look to God, and to seek pro
al lection from Him for her darling boy, from
ID the snares that may beset him in his ca
A. reer in life.
,l- A deep pause ensued, which was brc
rs ken on the part of Mrs. H., by the enqui
w ry-"Are you praying man and if SC
n will you meet us around the family alta
r. and invoke the protection and blessings c
Mt Heaven upon my only child ?"-and tn
r. tear glistened in her eyes as she raise
lis them to meet mine to catch the respons
nd to hel interrogatory. Il am an unworth
It. minister of the Lord Jesus Christ" r.
er piled, "and it is my duty no less than m
&c, pleasure to implore his mercy and ble
cir sings upon all his creatures, and nothin
er will afford me more pleasure than to con
ls ply with your wishes" "Whenever yC
in wish to prepare to retire, then," she r
.rs joined, 81 will call Henry and Harriet fro
. the parlor, that they may engage with L
nd in family devotion" cast an involuntal
ct, glance into the parlor, where, from tt
DIV neglected candles, could just discer
them seated in corner engaged in 10
as and earnest conversation. 1t was no diff
De- cult task to guess the relationship whiC
art this youthful couple bore to each othe
ch- nor was long left to surmise merely, fl
Int, my confding hostess soon informed me
the their betrothal, and of an association
asst fears in the mind of Harriet that also re
afe- dered her so unhappy.
art. Heury Herbert had never been Sc,
Jon drunk, nor had they ever heard of his |
and ing engaged in the midnight carousal al
irc deep debauch, but the evident gratific att
kc- and pleasure with which he partook Of
glass of wine with the fair, or a bump
Ter with boon companion, assured these
,oy- eliminating guardians over his well-beir
of that the love of the insidious deceiver, Ii
qed cankerous disease, was fast taking hC
But upon him.
yift- Swear, by the love you bear me, HI
Of ry, that you will faithfully keep this vo,
/ in audibly calculated Harriet. 'ln
arks strength Of Heaven, and by that Il
lain which would sacrifice life itself for y
for Harriet. / swear n-and falling upon
lied knees, and gently bending her grace
Lov- neck, he sealed it with kiss, and the v
,aux was recorded in Heaven!
e, SO "Now is the time to ask the blessing
fair God and the strength of Jehovah to ena
wing him to keep that vow," l quietly obs
the ed; for in the ardency of their souls t
Her. had spoken loud enough, for the first ii
to be overheard" it must be for g
/ de- that that angelic creature thus puts hir
r, for the test"
5age. They were Immediately summoned
)cto- the room we were occupying. As I
-, entered, there were unmistakeable sig1
racti- weeping upon the countenance of Ha1
, and but there was firm expression of
,nced aud confidence that gave assurance of