Amador weekly ledger., 1858-05-22

=. ~. ohou6n VIII make u good another
time" said the youth counting out the coin.
Here is my address" he added, writing
with bis pencil on slip of paper the name,
John Fitch, Fairy Dell, Wilkes county.r
F" But you shall not take Selim,n asserted
the slave angry crying with all his might
for help.
his shouts drew number of Africans and
two white laborers to the spot, but the trav-
eier letting fall his money and the address,
snatched pistol from his bosom, and keep
ing off the opposers of his desperate deed,
mounted the black horse in dispute. and fled
away like the wind Many persons, at diff
terent points on the road witnessed, with
wonder, the fury of that reckless ride, and
with feelings of terror the wild looks of the
traveller. Over hill and valley, through for
est and field, in ndefance of ste -es and streams,
he rushed without rest or paase throughout
the long burning day, and still the speed and
endurance of the high blooded Seim bore
him gallantly on
At length the weary sun sank to repose be-
meath its pavilion Of purple clouds, and let
fall its golden curtains F; then deeper shadows
fell from the soaring submits of the blue
Ridge, and soon Heavens dark eyed daugh-
ter, the mystic mother of dreams and silver
dew, the sleep inspiring night, spread her
dark mantle over the world-that mantle
which would seem like mourner's veil, were
it not adorned by the burning beauty of ten
thousand stars. But still the irery gray eyes
of John Fitch glanced not around for the to-
kens of tavern, and his impatience urged
him as wildly as ever towards the mountains.
A little before the noon of darkness he en-
tered small picturesque valley, shut in by
lofty hills, musical with the everlasting song
Of a rlll that meandered, like the folds of a
silver serpent, through its velvet green.
Thank God, / am here at last ! Oh,
that it may not be too late !" murmured the
young man in mournfu accents, as the light
of cottage became visible among the trees
Then he drove his spurs madly in.o tie side
of Selim, and a few more bounds brought
him into the yard, where the horse fell exhaus-
ted as the rider sprang from the saddle, and
burst into the door, crying, in unutterable
tenderness" Mother my dear mother !
are you yet alive " A faint sound betwixt
sigh and a groau, answered, "My son !"
The latter instantly kneeled by the couch
Of the sick woman, kissing her pale lips, and
bathed the fond bosom which had Graded bis
infancy with the bitter tears of HOPELESS sor-
row. / started" lie said or rather
sobbed, +" as soon as | received the letter in
forming me Of your illness, and have ridden
day and night but, oh, dearest mother, say
are you not improving Is there not still
some hope |"
None, even iu the opinion Of the doctors"
replied the feeble voice and but for the
attentions of that kind lady, | should perhaps
now have been in my grave"
The youth glanced around and perceived
the blushing face of fair girl that in his
grief and agitation he had previously failed
to notice. This beautiful being was nearly
bis own years, large for her age, but well
formed symmetrical as nice piece of antique
sculpture With all the fascinating charms
of the lovliest of her sex, her countenance
presented the air Of queen, and her eyes
beamed with fire, denotiDg the energy Of
an iron will, unaccustomed to any control,
save its own free and fetterless choice.
Miss Juliet Hale, how shall | thank you
for so much goodness 7" faltered the young
man, almost unable to credit his own senses.
Her features flushed to brighter crimson,
but she answered not Then the dying moth
er beckoned the beautiful girl to the bedside,
and taking her hand placed it in that of the
astonished son, murmurng as she did So
/" My dear children, you love each other, and
| give you both my last blessing y
"Oh, this must be madness !" exclaimed
the astonished youth / have worshipped
her as the magician does the star, for years,
yet never dared aspire so much as to touch
her hand before but she, the wealthy, the
adorned idol OF fashion, cannot love the poor,
friendess teacher The idea is impossible"
:" / have loved you ever since the first mo-
ment we met" sighed most musical voice.
Then be happy my son and daughter y
said the sick woman, with an angel smile
aye have no relative on earth bereaved
orphans of the heart, see that you be every
thing to each other, as my spirit will pray for
you in its heavenly home" And, worn out
with unusual effort, the pale invalid dropped
of into seeming slumber.
And thus those young and yearning souls,
strangely plighted their faith-there by the
couch of death, before the dim candle flicker
ing on the humble table, and beneath the
spectral shadows of the midnight stars, while
the winds of autumn moaned among the pine
tops, and strewed withered leaves on the roof
above their heads. Was the weird magic of
the hour, or the sadness of The scene, an elo-
quent emblem of the coming doom? Alas,
everywhere, in the most gloomy as well as
the gayest season, the black winged fates
hover in the air around their chosen victims,
nor give sound of warning until the thun-
der-boIt breaks and the cleaning castle OF
youth and hope lies smoking in a mass Of
firery ruins