Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-04-27


this moment Meinherr John happened to
return home from his evening recreation
at the alehouse, and with glowing com
plexion and glistening eyes, mot being
aware Of Wolfe's presence,) gave the ac-
customed signal, with hard knotted stick,
on the door. Wolfe perceiying this step
ped up to meet him, carrying bis head I've
ry high, while the light, such as it was,
shone full upon him. and said in COM
manding tone, .sAInst / always sit in the
dark z? Mynheer John started as if he
had been struck with thnDaerbolt, 1et the
cudgel drop out Of his hands, looked about
wildly and aghast, then rushed in and pass
ed by Wolfe, uttering deep groan of in
describable terror. as be mad, or drunk?'
said our hero, who, at this strange beha-
Vior, grew more irritated, applied himself
resolutely to the bell, and stood prepared
to raise still greater disturbance, when
the pale interesting girl, Louisa, stepped
out timidly, and, on hearing his demand,
excused her negligence, and with light
in her hand, hastened up stairs before him.
She then set the candle on the table, shut
the window, wiped the dust from the chairs,
and In her quiet and silent manner, en-
ployed herself for while in the room.
Wolfe was very reserved and modest
with ladies-he hated scandal; and on the
whole, perhaps, had not much confidence
in the house. For these reasons, the pres
ence of the girl annoyed him, and he turn
ed his face away, and drummed with his
fingers against the window. Louisa stood
at the bed, smoothing and arranging the
bed clothes. Wolfe heard her sigh deeply,
and involuntarily looked after her as she
retired, sobbing and hanging down her
head, with an expression of the deepest
melancholy. All this vexed him to the
soul. "What then can she weep for %
said he to himself-"Has my rough man.
ner terrified her or in my hurry, have |
used to her some harsh words 2" He had
already the light in his hands, and anxious
ly hastened after her-"Stop, stop, my
dear" cried he aloud sit is as dark as
pitch on the stairs You may fall and hurt
yourself" Louisa was still standing on
the first steps. Wolfe leaned over the
railing to light her down. She thanked
him with emotion, and her humid eyes
were lifted up to him with an expression
OF unaccountable grief. Wolfe beheld hel
with silent perplexity, not unmingled with
pleasure, for he now perceived that she was
very pretty and fine, but rather hectis
features. He took her hand respectfully
my DEAR" said he, "you are very mucl
agitated offended you?" ooh no
notat ALL" answered she, beginning to weep
"Then, surely" said Wolfe, earnestly
''some one else has done something to dis
tress you"
Louisa folded both hands, pressed then
to her eyes, and slightly shook her head
''God has SO wilIed it." said she; "you ais
have been sent hither; good Heavens a
was so wcll-so tranquil-now all my a
flictions are renewed !" She made sigr
to Wolfe that he must not follow her
wiped the tears with her apron from he
eyes; and went silently down the steps.
Wolfe having returned to his room, 81
for long time right opposite to the candl
leaning his head on his hands, and, witt
out being able to account for the extrao
dinary and mysterious emotion by whic
he was overwhelmed, all his thoughts i
voluntarily became more and more da
and melancholy, just as if some fearful al
heavy misfortune were about to fall upC
him. He could not prevail over his refe
tions SO as to bring them into any regul
order; SO deeply had the voice of the wee
ing Louisa penetrated into his heart. H
accents were now inwardly renewed, al
divided, as it were, into thousand echo
In listening to her, it had not been witho
difficulty that he had refrained from tea
her touching sorrow almost broke his hea
and his own fate seemed unaccountably
volved with her misfortunes.
Thus wholly occupied, and lost in de
thought, he began, absently, to engra
with a penknife, (which lay near his tob;
co pouch, and had served for clearing
pipe,) all sorts of lines and angles on t
crazy old wooden table at which he sat.
Without knowing or intending it, he b
engraven on the already hacked and d
figured boards, Louisa's name, which
had overheard frequently called alo
through the house. On observing WI
he had done, he almost started and tE
drew the knife several times across the
tiers to obliterate the name As he v
then more fully made aware of what
had done, all at once there appeared
him, clearly and undeniably, traces OF
very same name, and in his own hand-v
ting, on several corners of the table. w
again started, rubbed his eyes, and sta
, at these characters, comparing in them
; well-known and difficulty formed cap
/ L, and the other letters, with his own '
: ting; cam / bewitched % cried he, try
7 to recollect whether he had not absolut
and really written these other inscripti
o himself-but his arms could not b
: reached so far; and as yet he had not
: at any other side of the table.
d 'Yet all this must be internal nonsen
t. muttered he; at the same time lool
|, about rather timidly through the obsc
u chamber. The fallen down broken pl.
o in the wall, especially near the bed, di
4 slfylng the black distorted faces traced ,
e charcoal-the general uncouth desola
t. OF the visibly neglected apartment
t. peared, in the uncertain scanty light
i high degree disquieting and formids
ID To Wolfe it seemed even as if the rud
in traced caricature faces were known to
lie He shuddered involuntarily, and ha
g. extinguished the light, in order to csc
1e if possible, from such hobgoblins and
= ternatural impressions. Besides, it hat
r. coma too late tn tbink of ur;+;,o, ,r,- -