Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-02-16
T E r III s.:
Original Qapus.
For the Spirit of the Age.
WALTER sEAFoRD, THE TOPPER.
4 TRUE STORY PLAINLY TOLD.

TRUE STORY PLAINLY TOLD.
1t was an April morning, as fair and
fragrant, as jcwccd with dews and melted
with sunbeams, as was ever born of night. |.
On the west side Of the State road, about
mile from the village Of Il, stood |
small white cottage, in which dweIt a |
widow lady and her Only daughter, Agnes
"a lovely gig Of sixteen. She was Of me-
dum height, with perfect figure, small
hands and feet, and free, graceful move
mouts; with large hazel eyes and bril-
liautly fair complexion, dark chestnut hair
falling in large, thick curIs, and most beau
tiuI features. This family had once been
in high life, but had suddenly been reduced
to poverty.
Mrs. Lee was n woman OF refined and
cultivated powers; q woman who in youth
had known no stint Of wealth, and whose
mind WAS stored with classic lore Her
husband was quite a wealthy man and a |
very eNtrayagaut one. They resided in |
splendid mansion, elegantly furnished
wore costly apparel, and farcd sumptuous-
" every day. Thus they continued to live |
for a long time, until finally it. was rumored |
about that Mr.. Lee was very much in debt: !
then those whom hc owed became uneasy. |
His property was sold and he had only !
enough money left to purchase small /
farm in the country. The place was very
much ont Of repair when Mr.. Lee removed I
. 20 it, as no one had lived there for some
%t,Ma but IN y fer rrSuths -gee5 ,,r rlte-os
ton was made, that the passcr-by would
often enquire who resided there. The
waving grain, Aourishing fruit trees and
vegetables, told their own story Of thrift
and cultivation. In the front yard was a
beautiful flower garden, in which the fair
Agnes might be seen almost every morn
inc watering her flowers, and gathering
some to deck her youthful brow.
Mr.. Lee and his family enjoyed fine
health after they went into the country to
live, bus suddenly he was taken sick, and
after brief illness, died OF inflammation of
the brain. He left his family in rather
bad circumstances 50 they were compelled
TO sew for - livelihood. Agnes did great
deal of fancy work, and her mother more
substantial sewing, so by these means they
were enabled to live free from want Among
their patrons was Walter Sealord, young
man of wealth and intellect, though very
wild and frolcsomc. 1t pains us much to
say that hc was an iuebriate; but such was
the case. He acquired the bad habit o
drinking to excess at college, and came
near being expelled for committing dread
ful act while in q state Of intoXication.
Waters father was an extremely ricl
man, and at his death gave his vast estat,
to his two children-Flora and her brother
They were quite Young when their fathc
died, and n guardian had to be appointed
for them. When Walter reached hi
twelfth year, he was sent to college, and re
manned there until he graduated, which Q
course took long time as he was not yer
studious. During the last year that Wa
ter remained mt school, he fell desperate
in love with a beautiful and accomplishc
young lady. He spent a great deal of hi
time at her fathers house and it was rC
ported that they were to be married 4
soon as he graduated; bnt before Waite
could complete his education, anothe
young man addressed the lady and the
we're married Walter became very al
cry. and sworc that he wouId never pit
any confidence in woman agtin. lie abal
,loncd the society Of ladies altogether, an
had him splendid house built, and kcl
bachelors hail. His residence was with
mile Of Mrs. Lees, though he bad neyt
been there. But one day he saldenly +
mambered that he owed her some money
aul came to the conclusion that he Won
20 over that evening and pay her. Wh,
Inc arrived, Agnes only was at home, al
tIt.. / IN { f,
she lid not see him when he first eutcrC
50 he stood for some moments gazing
the lovely being before him but sudler
she happened to look up anil encounter
his gazt. This somewhat confused h
though she quickly rose and offered h
chair which he accepted. After &c
versing for an hour or two, he arose to
part. though not without promising to C
again soon. As he wended his way hoi
that night he wondered how a soamstr
could be so intelligent; bat he recollect
hearing that her father was once a weat
anl influential man, aud during that peri
she had received liberal education.
1t was not very long before Walter '
again at the residence Of Mrs Lee Ag
was not in the room when lie entered,
very soon she came, looking very pre-
indeed. She was attired in plain wi
dress. In her beautiful riuglets were twi
moss roses, though they wore no ric
bloom than that upon her check. Wa
arose, bowed very politely, and offered
the rocking chair in which he was slit
In a few moments they were engaged
lively conversation, and the time passec