Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-05-25

His mind was busy with such thoughts,
as one bright morning in September, he |
walked slowly towards farmer Gray's man =
sion. He was ~leisurely ascending the hill, a
at the top of which, upon a level table S
land, stood the great old house, when he
was startled by a female voice calling out, o
Bring the ladder, Dick! l want 10 get :
down. And looking up, he beheld Net ?
tie seated in the wide spreading bran b
ches Of a large apple tree that stood in the f
field near the road, while Dick, perched .
npon the top-most round of the ladder, that (,
leaned against the pear tree, was quitely !
filing a basket with the rich fruit.
wait a minute, SIS replied Dick with
out looking up; 4 have got my basket ak
most full. I'll come in minute
Come now, Dick! quick! quickp again
called the impatient voice Of his sister.
Dick evidently begin to think there was
something wrong, for he turned around, and
his eye instantly caught sight of our hero
coming up the road, bit a few rods from
where they were. lie instantly descended
from the tree bit instead of carrying the
ladder to assist his sister to descend, he
gave a lond shout, threw his cap into the
air, cleared the wall with one bound, and
top of his voice, Oh Mr.. Grafton, Pve
freed a coon I've freed a COON Then
placing his hands upon the ground before
him, he turned some five or six summer
saults, uttered as many boisterous shouts,
and picking up his cap, ran with all his
might to the house. The little rogue evil
IDENTITY loved mischief as we'll as did his
pretty sister.
Charles first thought was to go to the
assistance of Nettie, and he leaped the wall
and approached the tree. Taking the lad
der from the pear tree, he was about pla-
cling it for her to descend, when a sudden
thought suggested itself. She cannot run
away from me now;' and not stopping to
consider the ungallant act, he grasped a
lower branch, and, with some gay remarks,
swung himself lightly up, and took a seat
by her side.
Nettie was an amiable girl, and could
take a joke as good naturally as she could
give one, only laughed heartily at the trick
her brother had played upon her; compli-
mented Charlie upon his agility, and invi.
| ted him to help himself to the tempting
=, fruit that hung in such profusion about
= them. After chatting upon a variety O
}, themes, he determined to approach the
subject, and if possible, get an intelligibl,
% answer. For some time he sat in silence
l. then, rallying all his courage, said,
'Nettie, | have something to say to you
y have you 2 she replied. WELL Char
er lieplease help me down, and you can sa
it as we walk to the house.
to Charlie saw the mischiefin her eyes, an
ar resolved to go on without needing her r.
quest, yet he changed somewhat his moo
of attack.
. 'Nettie, / am going to be married.
'Marriedp Charlie, marriedp
Without needing the prayerful CLAN
that was raised to his face, he went on.
Yes, Nettie; my business is now We
prosperous; l have a pretty home, WIFI
needs only the additional charm of a D;
n of bright eyes. Ihave found a sweet &c
es. the girl,whom love with all my heart, a
,e's and who is willing to become my wife, a
ate l have resolved to marry. l have trieC
mo- long time to tell her, but she would i
fbo hear it. Nettie had listened to his spec
in utter amazement. She had long
all lieved that she was the beloved of Char
Grafton's heart and she meant, after
mi had teased him to her hearts content,
o of listen to his love, and become his duti
me loving wife. But her hopes were now s
denly dashed to atoms. It was too mu
les A giddy f~aintness came over her, and
an. for the support of Charles arm, she wo
have fallen to the ground-Charlie noti
her emotion, and feared he had gone
the Jar. 1t was but a moment, however. s
soon regained her self possession, and
upright by his side. Her face was v
Of pale, but her eyes flashed proudly, as
mid replied, and there was a piece of bitter
Cur in her tones,
aon May | ask the name of her who
,r1;e been honored with the offer of the b
tho and heart of my noble friend?
= First let me describe her. She is a b.
sal tiful girl, and possesses a warm, 10,
holm heart. She has but one fault-if faul
verT may be called. She delights to tease tt
ever who love her best, and often has she q
me a severe heart pang. Yet, Nett
love her deeply, fervently, and it shall
ner- the object ofmy life to guard her f
harm-to protect her, as far as l am
from the slightest breath of sorrow, al
ted shall be abundantly rewarded by her
niles Nettie, l have never offered her my b
: in though she has long possessed my h
ar l do it now, Nettie, dearest, can you
her name?
ccia- Nettie gave him one long, enqui
chief look, as though she but half comprehel
uo. his words.
;t;on "Will you be my wife Nettiep
free "What?" she replied, half bewilderil
anv "Are you not going to be married?
tbe you not forever lost to me?'
was eyes, if you will not consent to be m
tho She realized what it would be to
own him; her head sank upon his bosom,
bursting into tears, she murmured,
Die eyes, Charlie, / will"
.w be Soon master Dick came bounding
sonl the orchard-one hand filled with a
affec. slice of bread and butter, while will
Vould other he tossed his cap into the air, /
ing that he fully comprehcnded the
ly Of of affairs by shouting at the top of his
d the "Halloo, Mr.. Grafton! amt you {
which freed her for your
adj of Both greeted this sally with a bu
LAUGHTER and soon I'll three wara on,