Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-06-22

Will pass in shadowy folds away l.
Lo! mark them now they break-they fly,
And over earth in one broad smile,
Looks forth the glorious eve of day"
A few months have passed, and are num- |,
cred with Eternity, and now again let us a
isit Aunt Hannah's cottage. But hush :
tep softly. The dark-robed angel has cast "
is awful and chilling presence there. We v
scend to that pleasant chamber which Mrs. il
'orest had always occupied since she arrived =
t the cottage, and behold a group surroun-
ling the bedside. Henry Forest had but an '
lour more on earth. He lies there pale, fee
Die, struggling with the grim tyrant-Death. t
As the breath comes hard and slowly, he
ries to speak, "My wife-my child-forgive
for all the sorrow | have caused you. My
life has been wasted, misspent, and all
for Intemperance. OH Father grant my dy-
ing prayer, and rid the world of such a mas
May thy creatures be warned and shun
forever the wine cup! Come nearer, Ella, 1
am" but he was no more. God had taken
him to himself.
Spring had passed. Summer also fed, and
Minnie had spent some weeks at home, weeks
of sweet vet sad communion with her beloved
mother, for still their hearts were sorrowing
for him, DER whose form the long grass waved,
and the weeping willow dropped: the hus-
band and the father. Again had she returned
to Flowerdale, and Autumn was well nigh
spent. One golden, pleasant evening late in
November, Minnie, with Leila by the hand,
went forth to take a long walk. They were
very happy on this beautiful eve. Minnie
took pleasure in gratifying the affectionate
child, by replying to all her questions, as she
p~layfully bounded to and fro, gathering the
bright, golden, and crimson leaves which
were constantly waited to her by the even
ing breeze. They had wandered onward for
more than a mile, and were just about to re-
trace their steps, when a handsome carriage
appeared in view. The top was thrown back
and they saw it only had one occupant, a gen.
tleman. In another moment Leila sprang
from the OBTAINING hand of her teacher, and
crying "My father, oh! it is my father!
bounded towards the approaching vehicle
Imagine the embarrassment of our lovely he
roine, as she stood presently face to face with
a tall, dark form, an utter stranger, who look
ed with surprise and admiration upon her
Her self-possession soon returned, however,
as he sprang from the carriage, embraced his
: little daughter fondly, and then with a re-
spectful bow, said, 81 presume l have the
: pleasure of seeing Miss Forest, of whom my
= mother has so often written. 1 trust you
: will not consider me as a stranger, or intru-
SIfC, u dllOW IA " lAN yOu q " "
{ erdale. Leila will not leave me, I am sure,
and your walk would be a lonely one Per-
nit me r"-and in a moment she was seated,
: and whirling at a rapid rate homeward. She
found Mr.. Singleton to be agreeable in man
., ner, yet very digni6ed, some would have
- called him stern. Had they met differently,
IL when among the conventionalities of society,
she might not have been so favorably i'm
pressed, but that rare smile had beamed up
Y on her, and it ever won the hearts of those
~ who saw it. He was handsome, with an aris-
e air, very becoming to his noble form.
He had fine, penetrating eyes, beaming with
q truth and honor, yet speaking of sorrow. He
- was seldom -gaagE, feeGg rI tbs lass4 Of he his Was y4 gVe5
polished and learned, but now, just from Eu
~ ropean courts, and the society of the learned
~ men OF that country, with whom he had free
". ~ mingled, his mind was still more richly
stored and his air distingue.
HIS return home was a surprise, a glorious
of surprise to his mother, who met him with
W. such love andjoyful welcome, as almost caused
r;t her to forget to wonder at seeing them all ride
up to the door together. But we must in
dulge the sterner sex, and say, she did a
al length find time for curiosity, and true te
ed mother Eve, gratifed it.
In a handsome apartment of a fashionabl,
hotel in F., lieth on his bed, raving from ma
MA a potu, the once glorious, handsome form
Ill of William Harley. He had sunken from
he worse to worse, till now behold him! yo,
Ter who sometimes take a glass of wine. who oc
IN. casionally "get on a SPREE" a victim to in
ne Temperament He raves, shrieks alord, anG
nI- would spring from the bed to escape in som,
way from the horrible visions which are mad
IN dening him but he is dashed to the bedstead
o. While strong arms are near to prevent al
tut harm. In a few days he died, a poor, mis-
me cradle drunkard-a laurel cut down ere i
fully blossomed! Thus died one, whose DO
ad sltion in society was an enviable one, who's
tor intellect and genius were of the finest orde,
Think Oft, young man, and be warned!
,s,
it Beautiful, fowery May has come once NOR
gu to gladden. us. Seated meath a large wild
spreading tree, on a rustic bench-watchin
the playing of the fountain, is Minnie Fores
,ss She is indulging in pleasant ~reverie, thong
a neglected book lies on her lap. A wei
h, known f~ootstep arouses her. Mr.. S~ingleto
stands beside her. She bushes very prettil
m as he seats himself at her side. and bend
ed, those dark eyes tenderly upon her. Soon
led dear reader, her hand lies a prisoner in hi
ME and she has promised at som future day I
become-Mrs. Singleton. Pray, do not frowr
re- young and beautiful lady, and cry pshaw
because I could not help it. Inerer could
We sentimental.
ME -
on, October has come again, aad-a pleasan
or happy throngi is gathered in s'Aunt Hannah's
ted par or. Lights are g~littering-fair faces r,
are diant with smiles, and all is merriment.-
EN- There is a hush! and a bridal party enter
gle We recognize the lovely bride as Minnie, an
inc the handsome groom is Mr.. Singleton. The
She are welded, and the noble looking man WI
His claims that sweet girl for his own, looks tel
ing derby upon her. He well appreciated h,
vas beautiful character, for long since she ha
art. told him all. Mr.. Singleton is a c~onsistel
in Son of Temperance, and Minnie feels in we
me, ding him, she is laying the foundation of f
we'd ture happiness.
vas But there is another happy pair presen
me Only two weeks stree, Harry Walton. hs
eve welded the sweet and pretty Emma Solder
ion and after taking a short tour, had return,
just in time to witness the marriage of the
had beloved Minnie. Harry had fulfilled IL
promise of his boyhood. He never tastes
ter the intoxicating cup, but temperate and n
vas BILE, he has become an honor to his countr
the Mr.. and Mrs. Singleton returned to the
ow, home, but ere long were recalled, for 90,
To- Aunt Hannah" had suddenly been call