Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-10-15

had hardly finished the orders when, who should stand
before him but the very creature who sheltered him from
the storm before Matte Clifton, the traveller exclaimed
can it be possible that you stand before me do my
eyes deceive me? Charley Mason did not address the
fair Matte because he thought her less beautiful than
she was four years ago.
No. with exception, she the fairest creature
on earth. He had not forgotten her-her image was
ndelby impressed upon his mind this he could never
do. 1t is indeed Matte Clifton, she replied, and can
this be the dear stranger who passed night at this
place some years ago. Charley Mason scarcely took
time to her question before he asking OF her
parents health. Alas sir, she replied but few short
days elapsed after your departure before the hand OF
death removed them from earth, and yOnder said she
pointing to a cluster of noble looking pines they both
lie in the cold, cold ground.
Charley Mason accompanied by his friend, repaired
to the spot This is my dear fathers grave and that
my lovely mothers she survived him but three days
They both shed tears the graves of the departed
and seating themselves the cottage for the
spending its fury he requested the little girl to give
him the particulars OF her parents death, and what
means she employed to obtain subsistence since that
unfortunate event.
She began, said sir, before, it was but short
time after you left that my father died and his death
bed after bidding adeu requested that he might be
buried at the spot where he reposes that his wife
should be buried beside him, and that too should be
laid away in the spot. l have, so far as have
been able with the assistance of kind old friend, COM
piled with his dying request This neghbor of mine is
very kind to me- but he poor like myself and often
suffer for want of something to live upon tomorrow
he leaves for another part of the country, and know
not what am to do. Oh, Sir, could you but know the
distress OF the poor orphancoud you but feel for once
the cravings OF Orphanage-cOud you but feel have
for the last four years. you might realize what it to
be in my situation. Often have | been too feeble to
help myself to the simple repas prepared for me by my
old friend Had | an opportunity, | would willingly
toll day aud night for living, but situated in
lonely desolae country see nothing in the future
which promises relief from my present Distress
My poor girl replied Charley Mason, " do not say
anything more cannot bear to hear of your suferings
get ready, and tomorrow morning you shall accompany
me to my happy home where you will not want, and
where the past will soon be forgotten
But the promise | made my dear dying father?"
"Do as bid you" said the traveller, - and my word
for your promise to your father shall be attended to-
The morning came, and Charley Mason and Matte
Clifton set out, she knew not whittier, he for his home.
Although Matte Clifton to rise from the drest
poverty to the of unbounded wealth. she did not
leave her forest home without pangs of sorrow. She
shed tear she cast glance at the moulderng dust
Of the departed friends the wales where she wont to
cmbol in Spring time, and the little birds they sat
upon the spray and poured forth music far enchant
ing than eer proceeded from Eollan Harp though
touched by master hand She regretted 10 leave
he old trees whose sturdy branches had sheltered her
many a time from the heat OF the mondays sun and
the unpretending hut she the smoke curl grace
fully above it from the fire knded by her tiny hands.
She almost wished herself back again to the scenes Of
her childhood, the carriage in which they riding
bore them every step farther and yet farther from them
Her companion, seeing the mood she had fallen into,
did not interrupt her. and they had proceeded some dis
tance before either spoke; at last he asked her Of what
she thinking?
She would not have revealed her true thoughts but
truth compelled her to do
q was thinking" she said of my home, my parents
and the kind old friend that have left behind me she
will fear mishap has bealen me- wish had told
her my intended DEPARTURE
He endeavored to divert her thoughts from her past
life, by relating his adventures to and from the nstu
ton of learning, he had ett and the joys, and
of College life he succeeded for it not long before
she absorbed in his conversation, and he saw with
pleasure several times smiles resting upon her counte
nance
Though Matte Cfton's education was very limited
havlng gone to school but year she had extra
ordinary mind capable of grasping with ease very
difficult Subjects and arriving at correct conclusions up
on matters which astonshed as well as delighted the
young man.
The thought suddenly impressed itself upon his mind
that were she educated she might become writer of
note and all would rebound to his honor-he was happy
and proud of his little charge.
Of the personal appearance of Matte Clifton we have
as yet said nothing, is it necessary; it sufficient
for purpose to say that she possessed eminent
degree everything that goes to make up the intellectual
and truly beautiful. She indeed creature of per-
fectiOn.
They journeyed together for several days. nothing Of
carriage stopped suddenly before beautiful mansion
one of the most magnificent indeed of that whole coun
try. 1t friend of Charley Masons and neghbor
of his fathers Here Matte Clifton was eft and Char
ley assuring her that he would call for her soon pro-
ceeded to his home, but short distance from the
place where he had left Matte
His friends who had mistaken the day for his arrival
and who thought it month hence were astonshed as
he made his appearance; the effect was like peal of
thunder at midday in clear sky. They feared sick
ness, or accident had brought him home but hav-
ing found their mistake out he was welcomed with de-
monstrations of great joy.
Charley MasOns object in not CARRYING the little girl
to his fathers house at once to apprise him of his
intention first and relate the circumstances which caused
him to bring her with him, fearing he would incur the
dspeasure of the old man by introducing, at once such
little creature into the society of such family.
He proceeded at once to tell the story of his adven
ture adding that she of the sweetest children
his eyes ever beheld However strange it may appear
to some of readers especially those who belong to
the ariSocracy of the land and who too often turn up
their noses Ito use commonplace eXpreSslOn) at peo-
pie because they happen to be less favored by fortune
than themselves, Mr. and Mrs Mason rejoced when
they heard OF the little girl, her beauty, her eXtraorna
ry mind and the kind in which she had sheltered
their only child from the tempests fury, and bid him
: depart and escort the little stranger home.
This good couple had an only child, Charley Mason,
the young graduate and they glad to have the little
girl come, that she might by her presence and smiles
cheer them, for they felt sadly their loss in not having
daughter.
Charley found Matte Clifton relating the story of her
life in such a sweet, simple manner that be was happy
to have the pleasure OF introducing such Sweetite
creature into his fathers family.
Excusing her, he told her it time for them to de-
part They FASTENED to the carriage and set
down before the mansion which to be her future
home She was met by old Mr.. and Mrs. Mason who
welcomed her to their house. bidding her have no fear
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