Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-06-02
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THE FLOWER GIRL.

On the morning OF the 1fst OF tNay, 1ooo,
gentleman who had just arrived from South
Carolina entered the bar-room OF the st. CharieS
Hotel, in the good city of New Orleans, and
fastened to consult the directory, which was
suspended by silken cord fastened to one OF
the marble pillars. The stranger turned over
the leaves Of the volume with rapldlty ana
eacerness evincing intense anxiety to ma some
particular name; but his search seemed unsuc-
cessful, for he heayed painful sigh, nearly re-
semblng q sob of dcspsiring anguish, and actu,
ally grew pale with disappointment. lie dld
not, however, Immediately abandon the fruit-
less investigation, but required to the pages
again and again with the apparent hope that nc
might possibly have mistaken the address winch
he 50 ardently sought. Atlength the last gleam
of expectation vanished, as he murmureo 10
himself with bitter emphasis-"Iain deluslon,
to imagine that outcasts, and perhaps besgarS,
could have home to be noted IN directories !;
and very likely they have long since been iost
in the great wilderness of the west, or have
entered the deep valley Of darker shadows where
living eye shall never wander !"
The stranger then walked, with stately,
solemn steps, to the Office, and wrote his own
name on the book Of arrivals, "Colonel John
Moulton, Charleston, S. G." He afterwards
went back to the saloon, and endeaVored 70
busy himself in the columns of newspaper !;
but his glance continually strayed IRON the
street, to scfutinize the different persons that
sauntered about the hall. a.,
Any we'll travelled observer who saw CoI.
Moulton for the first time, would have recog-
missed him as son of that Southern chlValry-
. class the most deeply defined by speclhc
characteristics which the world has yet Wit.
messed. He was large, handsomely shaped
man, some sixty years Of age, with proud but
pleasing visage, large brown eyes-faShing the
brsyest fires, and that indeScribable air, blend
inc hauehtiness with afiability, which betokens
an individual accustomed to command with
dignity and to seek obedience more through
the medium of moral suasicn than the manlies-
tations Of blind physical force. lie was dressed
in costly suit of sable mourning, and the new
crane on his fashionable hat, as we'll as the ira.
ces of profound grief on all his features, showed
that bis bereavement was of q recent date.
Presently he bounded from his seat, at the
discovery of an old acquaintance, exclaming
0How are you, Judge Dickson? You are the
very person that 1 wished especially to see."
"I rejoice myself, very much, to have this
nnexpected pleasure" replied the other, shaking
the profTered hand with affectionate warmth
owe have not met since three winters ago, al
Washington"
.Great changes have happened to me in thai
brief space" said the Carolinian in hollo"
voice.
"Has anything gone wrong in your family ?
inquired the judge, kindly.
81 have no family nowp' answered the Co
lionel. in accents Of unutterable sorrow. lii
iron lips trembled, and his proud eyes could moi
restrain the involuntary rush Of tears.
what terrible misfortune" cried his
friend, in tones Of unaffected sympathy.
eyes! =" sobbed the solitary mourner, as
s,eaIing to himself; they are all gone! First
nv beloved life partner, the sweet sunlight
NV soul during more than thirty summers
then nv eldest boy, cut off in the brilliant
hsoom Of his promise by the demon pestilenc'
Of Yellow fever; and lastly, my beautiful vii
liam IL INV bosom's idol, shot down on the blood!
aeId Of honor! Like tree blasted by tn
i;chtn;np. must now stand alone in the wintr!
desert of INV ioyless old age, without drop o
kindred blood in the veins OF any human penn
nsar me, without companion, and withou
even 80 much as the possibility OF hope"
The former acquaintance did not attempt t
so,ace the disconsolate husband and father, TO
be knew we'll that every word, implying onl;
the supposition Of comfort or happiness, IN sue