davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-12-28

"The best part Of the entertainment, ch
Cora? But suppose you have not enough
of the animal in your spiritual organization TO
appreciate the luxuries of earth. 1suess you
find breakfast in Novel-dine on History,
and take tea from Poems"
She colored, painfully as she always did un-
der his jesting badinage, good'humoured as
it was, but rallied sufficiently 70 reply:
"No, Eustace, rise too late for breakfast
for dinner I take boiled ham, and for sup
per"
"Baked beens " whispered Lizzie Leigh in
her ear
"The essence of rose leaf" suggested
Eustace.
Those whist players look very merry
suppose we move nearer, and watch them."
Another painful jar, but she asscnted And
yet when he moved onward, she stopped u-
der pretext Of talking to friend.
He missed her, and came back-"l can't
have you slipping of, Cora. have placed
o chair for you by mine"
He took her hand, and led her to the seat.
But while he was bending over Miss May, who,
excited with the game, was at her liveliest,
And while he whispered in her ear those deli,
cious nothings which he knew so we'll how to
after, Cora stole noiselessly away. He looked
around but her chair was vacant.
"Where is Miss Cora Harry 2
"Oh she has gone off with one Of her ev.
erlasting headaches" snecred Miss May.
"Such strange nervous girl-can't stand o
crowd-she makes me tidgetty-whose play is
it?'
Aud Cora, strange indeed, was in her old
haunt the library alone, weeping silently but
hitterly-she knew not why.
An hour afterwards when q portion Of the
jewellers had departed, Eustace found her at
the same old window gazing earnestly on the
stars as though she had no other aim on earth.
sit strikes me you are very restless, Cora
.--you disappear like the memory of the masi.
cian. Have you turned astrologer? guess
we'll have you predicting future events before
long won't you tell my fortune, little sooth-
sayer; what do the planets say Of your hum.
Bile servant? But honestly, Cora, you must
he more sociul-society demands it-these
queer ways of yours come Of so much reading
and writing. Get out of it, Cora, as speedily
esE possible and now, lady fair, good night"
AAfHc bowed himself away.
E And Cora sat down by the dying embers
feeling that life was very dark. She had pic
!! tured this meeting so differently; she had al
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-12-28

| To crown it with the crown that cannot iude
| When it il faded.
E. j. BpowNINu.
And ny thy young lips sung, they caught
So beautiful ray,
That US guzcd, 1 almost thought
The spirit Of the lay
Had left while melting in the air
Its own expression painted there.
With portfolio ON her knec-with pen
in her hand, and any quantity Of loose papers
scattered around, sat Cora Harry, with u
kindling cheek and flashing eye, engaged in II
web of brain-work, and as perfectly tbliviuus
of the world without and its petty tumul!s, as
though she had plunged in the waters Of
Lethe.
The room was the picture Of comfort and
was covered with rich velvet carpet so soft
that it echoed no football. Several rich pain
tings encased in elegant gilt frames adorned
the walls. A massive chandelier was suspen.
ded from the ceiling and gave brilliant but
subdued light-a costly mahogany rocking
chair was wheeled in front of the fireside, and
there Cora reclined. Cora enjoyed real
winter evening-but she loved to spend it
alone in her room-and although from earli
est infancy graded in the lap of luxury she
yet appreciated the comforts by which she
was surrounded, for she contrasted them with
the novels of the poor which she often visited.
With rustic and sweep Of silken garments
Mrs. Leigh, the aunt with whom Cora Harry
(for she was an ophan) resided, entered the
room. With slightly contemptuos curl of
the lip she glanced around at he evidences of
her niece's literary accomplishments and said :
"The reries, slave labors less hard than
you, Miss Harry; One would think you were
working for the dear Gaily bread from morn
ing till night, and from night till morning, (for
Jane tells me that the lights burn in your room
all night that pen is in your hand"
"Be seated, Aunt Margaret" said Cora,
looking up.
"No, my dear, haven't time; have an
elaborate toilette to get up which will occupy
| luc iOI SOu1C Ct1ilit III w UcS5 SOu W
dress for the evening, knowing that il scnta
servant you would disregard the summons
"Drcss for the evening oh lam too much
at home in this wrapper-see how thickly it
is wadded, and then you know this velvet
sacquc makes me perfectly comfortable-I
can't think of a change"
But you must; there is to be new opera
to night, so Eustace writes me, and our box
must not be empty. Eustace particularly
charged me to bring you out. He fsars too
strict confinement will inure your health and
spirits"
Did he ?" and Cora's pale face frightened.
All, but forgot. ! promised poor Mrs.
Brown TO sit up with her baby to nisht-the
little creature is dying as fast as it can. She
needs help and the poor you know have not
many friends"
"And you actually sit up of nights with
Mrs. Brown7 Edmund Hurvy's daughter
! Well, believe you are something worse than
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-12-28
VOLUME XXIV.---NO. 81.

me as a maniac, for how can you who have
never loved, sylnpathse with me-"
Never loved she started, but covered her
confusion with quiet smile.
"And yet madly, passionatsly as I adore
Florence, knowing as l do her purity, there
is an odous feeling Of family pride which |
cannot get over. 1 hate the monster. l have
tried to strangle him, but he has thousand
lives and although he is silent in her presence,
yet as soon as am alone, he is resuscitated.
Somehow this false pride shrinks from the
thought that the world should say Eustace
Wulcot took his wife from the stage-in her
early life she carried hand organ about the
streets. Sec how my prsjudces cling to me
and when in moment Of delrium would
ask her to share my destiny, this feeling strug-
giles into life; and turn away from my ell.
chantress with vague promises of future
meeting. have the highest opinion of your
Judgment; the tir,ncst reliance on your friend
ship and cu,ne to you for your candid nd.
vice. Shall leave her entirely, or shall |,
bearing all, take her 10 my heart and home?
there can bc no middle course for me.
must claim her as mine, or l must see her
NJ more 2"
Cora unused for moment; shall we blame
her if sue listened to the telnpter that whis-
pered Zone word Of yours might influence
him--arguc With Lim-tell him that reason
slumJer<, and he will regret the step should
it be made. Once free from this attachment
his friendship for YOU might ripen into lsye
improve your chance!"
1t Was hut u lnoncut--and principle tri-
ulnphed ., er tue weakness Of humanity. Her
voice was low but it was firm: Eustace,
acknowledge no aristocracy, but the aristocr
cy Of worth. We are all the descendants Ct
a common faLher-(ortune and what is termed
high birth are accidents. see no distinction
between the child Of the patrician and the
child of the plebian. As for her being
public performer, honor the motive which
caused her to adopt the stage. If you love
her, your love should enuble you to brave
the sarcasm Of the set in which you move;
und if you know her to be pure and worthy
Of your affection, my honest advice is to WOO
and win her if possible"
"Thank you Cora, dear Cora, that vas
spoken like your own true sclf-you make me
blush for my own false mean sentiments. How
superior you are to every other woman Of my
acquaintance"
But one Eustace," she added gaily.
"Yes: but one. You know each lover i'm
AGNES that his own particular Idol is fashioned
-e,, on,nnt
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-12-28

etiquette extends to a first visit; aud he
caught himself promising to call soon again,
as though they Lad known each other for
years.
And his calls multiplied until lie became
daily visitor. The world wondered. for it
had given him to Cora Harry, and many
tongues began to whisper Of tickleness and
INCONSISTENCY. Some pitied Cora openly, for
alas her secret was but too well known,
while others laughed aud asked her if she
had douned the yellow gown"
Florence De We're was living an enchanted
ife-the beautiful italian loved, with all the
fervor and passion of her cline, the wealthy
Southerner who sought her society so often.
She had told him her simple history, one
evening when they sat alone in the dim twi.
light.
"Ah, Signor' you see me now courtcd and
admired, but have known weary life. l
was little street singer, and have wandered
for whole days weary, hungry, AID foot-sore,
singing for the miserable pttance which the
passers by gave Inc in charity. Once | sang
before tie door of celebrated muSician-he
came out, pattei me kindly on the head and
after discovering my utter poverty aud friend.
illness promised to educate me, because he
said nature had made me for the stage and
should not walk about with hand organ any
more. In two years | made my debut, and
the world found favor in me. / gloried
in my profession, because it brough COM
Portable home for my parents, and the suffer-
ings Of poverty were over. But alas! they
are dead now, and know Of not one in the
wide world to whom am bound by ties Of
blood"
Thls simple recital condensed ss u was
won the sympathy Of Eustace, and he ceased
to remember the singer in the lonely, suffer-
ing woman. His low deep words Of kindli-
ness cheered her and in this new friendship
Florence was exquisitely happy. One word
of his was more to her than the adulation Of
the crowd-one smile more dearly priced than
the loud applause which greeted her in pub
lie. The outer life brilliant as it was, was
Insignificant in Comparison with the inner
life into which the world could not enter.
And Cora Harry had heard Of this grow
ing intimacy-she had marked the change
which had gradually come over, Eustace--
she noticed his absent mindelness-his rest
lessness, and her heart told her all too quick
ly the cause. Yet she could not accuse him
of faithlessEcSs she alone Of all the world
knew that his attentions to her had been
those of tender triehdship-nothins more.
Perhaps he did not dream that be had won
her heart unconsciously-t love for him
had made her pale cheeks paler; he attributed
her want of the light happiness of youth to
constant study study only.
But the greatest trial was yet to come. Eu-
STAGE sought her one evening, and his quick
excited manner betokened something un-
usual. "Cora dear, Gun you lay aside your
pen one moment. I have something for your
private ear" And then he told her the story
of his love for Florence. She heard him
calmly, and he little knew that each passion
ate word went to the heart uf his listener
like keen arrow.
"You, Cora, whose quiet lip has never
known the insanity of love must look upon
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-12-28

of propriety, I have seen man with princi
pies as low as those of the most degraded ac
tor, admitted because forsooth he came of o
noble family. lie danced the Schottische with
Miss May, when he almost required support
and bent over with disgusting familiarity tc
whisper in her ear his maudlin love-words
While society countenances such displays
never talk to me of the immortality of the
stage"
"Ab, we'll, Cora, you always could out talk
me, but I have the right of it. I know how
it is, you are what Eustace calls genius, and
what Aunt Lou calls fool; and it makes you
discontented with the whole world, and fills
you with wild startling notions. Tell me Sc
riously did you ever entertain the idea of be
coming public performer?"
"In my present position, cctainly nerer
And now let US change the subject. See how
beautifully the pure white suow-aakes are fal
ling, wrapping the whole earth as in veil
they fall, like the mantle of charity, and hide
all defects. The humblest dwelling has sill
yer roof, and the lowliest shrub is hung with
pearls and diamonds-watc those icicles,
how they glitter in the moonlight-Shat could
be more beautiful? l love to see it snow
when the year is dyiug-it seems 80 like a
friendly shroud hiding her death agouics-It
would be noble Poem-the song Of the dead
Old Year."
"Why not write it ?' asked Lizzie eagerly
Cora colored-she could not bear 10 hear
one speak Of her own gifts,-they seemed SC
humble in comparison with those Of others
And she, whose soul was burning with the
divine gift of Poesy, actually looked with
feeling almost akin to envy on the graceful
belle who moved with ease, and had the power
to enchant, and win by personal charms
With soul keenly alive to the beautiful, she
felt painfully her want Of what the world calls
attractions. She loathed fashionable parlor
aud seldom entered one but to be repelled
Immediately. While there, she either sat qui
etly, entirely unnoticed, and all because she
lacked vanity, and self:conGdence, or some
one would disgust her by saying,
"Your last Poem was diyinely beautiful,
/ do adore your poetry"
Without one particle of feeling in the com
pliment, aud Cora knowing its emptiness
would grow disgustcd with herself and the
whole world.
Cora was 'out of place in fashionable life
AS she had not the passport of inordnatt
seflore. She had quiet home virtues which
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-12-28

romantic,-ins;lne. And suppose she intro
duccs you to all hcr companions, the Smiths,
the .Ioneses' and the Robinsons'! Bah Won.
der your nerve would LIT you pass through
the ordeal. Lizzie tells me that on last eve
ming you took beggar woman in the carriage
with you, and drove down the most fashiona-
BILE part of Broadway-then turned to some
filthy alley, and deposited her in some hut"
"Well Aunt, the old creature was tottering
with age, and shivering with cold; and my
respectability does not stand on so insecure
foundation that fear to lose it, by being seen
in company with the poor. My father was q
poor man his mother took in sewing and
educated him; lie has told me often how he
used to make the lightwood fires, and his
mother would sit in one corner with sewing
in her lap and he in the other with an alge-
bra
"Ah well, never inquired into your faith
er's lipeage-he belonged to society when
knew him, and was the first lawyer of the day.
But your mother was Walcot; no parveuu,
but the real old aristocracy. We can trace
our ancestry in direct line to royalty. 1t is
not poverty despise, it is iop blood. would
assist lady in difficulties, could feel for her
distress. But to go about, and become famil-
lar with every Mrs. Brown-ugh! 1t is more
than my pride would allow
"But about the Opera ?' smiled Cora, who
saw that Mrs. Leigh had mounted her hobby,
and was riding it iuriously. 81 believe will
go, but must send Jane to sit up with the
sick baby. Yes, and must prepare some
niceties to send, so dear aunt excuse Inc, for
I must pay visit to the pantry"
Cora selected large basket, and with her
own hands put in first some ham and biscuit,
then several large slices Of turkey, and host
Of sweetmeats, for the family Of which she
spoke was supported almost entirely by her
bounty.
This over, she repaired to her dressing-room
and arrayed herself in an elegant evening.
dress; one which the fastidious taste of Eu-
STAGE had condescended to admire. She ar
ranged her hair in narrow braids around her
classical forehead, and when the task was
ended, glanced in the mirror with feeling al
most Of Satisfaction.
When her party entered that night, there
was what the vulgar call "a sensation"-and
many voice whispered, Mrs. Leigh, her
daughter and niece, what lovely trio What
distinyue air Mrs. Leigh has !; and what an
intellectual face is Miss Harvy's
/ aThey say Miss Harry is engaged to Eu-
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-12-28

with nothing to love but a book"
"Never mind Inc, Eustacc, / shall do very
we'll and if human love is denied me, why
when my short life is ended, and the grave
has closed upon ne it will make no difference
then. As for my companions here, you know
the verse:
Wealth may Zee, and friends deceive US,
Love may change his sunny looks;
But these treasures never leave US
Which we garner il from books"
"Ah, well, SO you are contented, suppose
it is all right, Cora; yet it does seem to me
if you had little more heart now, it would
be better. Yet we are told that intellect
swallows up the affections ogre like, and love
Of fame sometimes destroys the grand pae-
sion.' God bless you, Cora, and may YOU
widest dreams he realised"
She sat in the same position where he b, d
lett her, for many weary hours, murmuling to
herself almost bitterly, "Ac wishes Ihad mo E
heart. Thank heaven he is blind, and at lie. st
am spared his pity; that would kill mt.
Alas for me, my young dreams lie far beh, d
me; life's cup is very bitter, but since love
las left me, oh fame be thou my happiness!"
Happiness! the thought Jared upon ler
soul--Eer grief was too new for that wcrd
just yet,--she changed it for content.
Sorrow did not make her seifsh-when tie
servant admitted Mrs. Brown, the poor VIC
man who subsisted By her charity, Cora well
coined her kindly, and for one whole ho,r
she listened patiently to recital of the SIM
Pile old souls trials, comforting her alike with
kind words and aims. There was no impa-
tience in her tones, although her spirit ached
for solitude, and she louged to pour in secret
| prayer tue feelings Of her bursting heart, and
to find III silent petition to Heaven tho peace
no human voice could give.
ooh! when the heart /: full, wbsh bitter thought.
Cuns cruwdiug thicky up for u,terance,"
how hard it is to wear patient face which
does not betray the struggles within; and
common words segih such very mockcry.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-12-28
kiss her forehead-egad I wish it was my

kiss her forehead-egad I wish it was my
lips"
"They say old B is making fortune
out of her,-.her beauty as well as her voice
wins everybody. Count T. followed her clear
across the waters, and half Europe was mad
about her. Deuce take it, was dying for her
myself, and actually had honorable intentions,
but then-ah-she is an opera singer"
Yes, she was an opera singer, about whom
men were at liberty to say what they pleased,
and that street dialogue had disenchanted
Eustace Walcot, for he had oil the false hor-
TOR of patrician for public performer. He
walked rapidly away casting no backward
glance at the face which had well.nigh un.
manned him-itwas SO like the one which had
haunted him from early boyhood mentally
calling himself fool, for remaining so long
in the chilly night air to gaze, himself unseen,
in face that everybody could look at.
And yethe caughthimself saying: Fools
may listen 10 Lnat VOICE, HeaftleSs 'o4eS iuu
brainless puppies glare on those delicate fea-
lures. Hapless stranger, l could pray that
heaven had given you kinder fate.'
He pHied her.-She, the peerless queen Of
beauty and of song, whom half Europe was
mad after whose voice could sway the
souls of thousands stood nightly, ba.
ziag with jewels, before an almost worship
ping audience.
He remembered her partly in scorn, and
partly in pity. And she, poor child uncon-
cious Of it all, kept looking on the night muir
muring one sad snatch az er another, feeling
that fame and grandeur may be won, and
emptiness. Recalling with sigh her humble
home, where TO loving parents her simple
beauty had been
"a thing Of joy forever
looking back with mournful glance on the
past scenes of her childhood, while Merry
Christmas " was ringing from mouth to mouth
in the stranger land; and feeling that one
may have the world at ones feet, and yet be
alone, utterly alone!
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-12-28
CHAPTER w.

Your lot is far above me,
I dare not be your bride;
To know that you had loved me
Would wound your fathers pride.
Go WOO some high born lady,
And he will bless your choice;
Alas! too long already
I've listened to your voice."
OLD SoNc.
The Opera season was drawing to close.
The engagement of La Belle Florence in
the Southern city which we have left name
less was near its termination. How full of
momcntous event had that short season been
how it had changed the whole current of
her life Truly our destinies seem to hang
on trifes.
The Prima Donna was taking an afternoon
drive, when the horses attached to her car
risge became suddenly frightened, and ran
violently down the street. In their headlong
career they rushed over small child who
was playing near one of the crossings. They
were soon stopped without doing any other
serious injury; and Florence whose heart
was full of kindly emotions insisted on being
driven back to the spot where the accident
had happened.
The child's arm was broken! and Florence,
her eyes raining tears of pity, lifted it in her
own arms, and conveyed it to the carriage.
Leai1iog the little ones place Of pesidsucs
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-12-28

What shy timid little thing it is off the
stagc-why when l assail her with compli-
ments she starcs at Inc so innocently that
forget what | was going to say. Mrs. Leigh
is bowling to Inc, and | must be Oft Meet
me below stairs when the performance is
over, and we will go to my rooms and have
an oyster supper"
And so saying Lieutenant Edward Fitzroy
left his friend to number one of the select
few who were surrounding the Leigh party.
Cora, Harry had never looked more love-
ly. Her light Opera cloak was thrown care
lessly back revealing a really elegant figure
and excitement caused by the crowd Of smil-
ing faces around her, combined with tue soul.
stirring music, had impaired rich rose tint
to checks usually too pale to be beautiful
How merry they were! Mrs. Leigh and Liz
zie entertaining between them four 'exquis.
ites,' and Lieutenant Fitzroy whispering in
Cora's ear those elegant nothings which made
him sucl favorite with the ladies.
But all noises are hushed for the moment
as La Belle Florence appears for moment
only-and then what deafening applause
homage paid to beauty alone, for the first
time. A wreath OF natural flowe;s was bound
around the luxuriant curls which waved
around her qneenly forehead; q few white
rosebuds were in her bosom, and the tiuiest
Of all tiny feet peeped from beneath the rich
white satin robe which enyeloped her slender
but graceful figure. She bowed Oh either
side as the applause died away and then fold
ing her small white hands on her bosom, the
peerless cantatrice poured forth such food Of
melody as made that audience hold their We
ry breath to listen, lest one note Of that bird
!se voice should escape them.
Cora Harry bent forward with parted lps
she was passionate adorcr of human beauty,
and here was beauty of the highest order.
She drank in every lineament OF the glorious
face before her. and was only aroused from
the spell when Fitzroy touched her hand and
mada some careless remark.
Wacot is not with US to night"
"No," and the face saddened-with all that
sea Of human forms around her, Cora missed
one; and that feeling of loneliness came over
her which comes over us all sometimes even
in the gayest crowd--a vague restlessness
best expressed by that opening line Of beau-
tiful Poem,
The loved one is not here"
Itwas soon dispelled-tor the friendly voice
of a newcomer saluted her with, Scan you
find room for me ?"
Her eyes frightened as only eyes can
brighten when they rest upon the breathing
features Of that face which love has dagucr-
reotyped on her heart
Certainly, l am so glad you are come,
Eustace. want you to look at one lovely
enough to drive an artist mad. We have on
ly two more songs from fortunately you
are in time to hear theln."
"Ihe queen Of the night. suppose you
mean?'
Yes: is she not divinely beautiful? 2"
!" Possibly" replied he with dreamy air as
lis eyes were fixed on the stage.
lie did not remove them once.
Cora grew red and pale by turns-she was
not envious-but-the thought acould come
US she watched his intense gaze of admiration,
" Why did not nature make me beautiful 2"