Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-10-05
SPIRIT OF THE AGE

from Elias luxuriant treSses. And SO TINS
Is all the claim I may ever have on one whom
| hold dearer shan lifef'-and he wound the
wavy curl t~houghtfully around his fingers
BE il so. IT'S said that suffering perfects the
human heart" He opened the Bible. On
the fyleaf was written-@Eor our presentsat-
Fiction, which is but for a moment, worketh
out for us "a far more exceeding and eternal
weight Of glory ~ The one word 'ELLA,"
was visible at the end of the quotation "4es
| will study thee, precious giftl if not for my
sake and thine, at least for hers The young
lieutenant devoutly kissed the book, placed
1T in his bosom, and then emerging from the
place of his temporary c~oncealment resumed
his accustomed duties.
Our story now rapidly hastens to a period
some two years later. The treaty of peace,
between, England and the Thirteen United
States, had been ratified in Paris. sThewhite
wings of commerce fitted over the broad wa
tiers of the Chesapeake, and her majestic tri-
butaries. The spear had been e~xchangedfor
the ploughshare, and swords turned into pru-
ming hooks. Peace smiled upon the land. and
t tplentyrewarded the tillef of the soil. 1t was in
October, whenthe softening influence of the IN
; dian summer makes way to all hearts, that a
! maiden was seen, robedin purest white, thread
e ing the rugged path that leads to Gornwallis's
t cave her sole companion a little dog, spot
9 less in appearance as herself, save . narrow
~circlst of ribon which bound his neck This
!. is q sweet evening, mon petit chien,D said the
maiden, in . half ~soliloquizing tone, as II adj
d dressing her doe. How calmly radiant ap-
pears the skyi and the bay is but its reflex.
The roses of heaven lie scattered upon the
n wave, and blend with the liquid silver of the
sea" The shades of twilight deepened around
her, but the maiden knew it not Absorbed
ID in reflection she had gained the rock, and
he there-the ocean spray rising around her,
and the sullen roar of restless waters falling
1t on unheeding ears, she kneIt to pray. No
eye but that Of Omnipresence beheld her, and
tn the ear of Omniscence alone gave heed to
re her ~pleadings. There, half hidden in the
O. shadow of the rock, and yelled by the green
a9e shrubbery, her evening sacrifice asceslded on
lp high; and the meek and quiet spirit rose
triumphant on the wings of faith, to hold
m sublime communion with her Father in Hea
N; ven. "Thou knowest, OF source of all good
Dr. how | have striven to bring myiwiH into sub
lg. lection to thinel Theidol is snow rent, which
ad arose between me and Thee Truly tn
mould was exquisite, and the flesh tainted
Wn but thy grace, Oh Godi is from everlasting.
u Ella Elton's head bent in intense devotion
and her uplifted eyes vainly essayed to pierc
lss. the vail that hid Jehovah from her sight; bu
oy to her illuminated mind all was visible. Sh
no kneeled before the Throne, and with saint
cts and angels, sung the song of Moses and tn
ne Lamb.
the "Hush, Pet!" was uttered by a low, fami
nlle lar voice; yet the words disturbed not tt
leld enraptured maiden, whose spirit now battle
and in a Saviour's effulgence. A slight rustlir
yer, in the shrubbery, and a manly form was boz
ces- ed beside the kneeling girl and the words
tlsh 80 God! but this is bliss too exquisite
eve burst from a surcharged breast. The maid
wal slowly turned, to be clasped in the arms
! Dir Charles st. Legerl
hom "Ol Ella, my beloved! areyou mortal?
mer- has some angel left the bright bowers of P
llng, adisc, to consecrate this shrine"
!, ne "Charles, Charles! why have you com
1 had but just torn you from my heart, a
pass no shadow rested between me and the
arose mighty
"And no shadow shall, my beloved s
his you this holy treasure? priced it as u
Fhich gift, but now I 1 hold it as the priceless pc
meri- which a universe could not purchase. Ih'
had thrown up my commission, and come to
bank in Virginia, to endeayor, with Gods as
u
? 20 happiness. is there any rivalry in my loy
tne Ella placed her hand silently, and CO
> anu dinghy, in his, but was silent.
: the A few weeks later, and early one morn
y was was seen q gay cayalcade of merry maid
1erm- and dashing cavaliers, repairing to the
ns Episcopal church at York, to witness the I
~ lis tials of ELLA ELTON and CHARLES 81. LIE