The Nevada journal., 1859-03-25

mother and the child whom she had
made the companion Of her wauderings.
The subject is a painful one, but the
writer describes so feelingIy and truth
fully self-inflictcd misery of Case and bis
partner in guilt, that we reproduce his
narrative
What t hough the spicy brcczes,
Blow soft o'cr CcyIons isle
Though every prospect pleascs,
And only man is yile.
Curiously enough, was just repeating
this stanza, when my new acquaintance
called for me. | had met him while on
a business visit to Ceylon. as country
man of mine, and was pleased with the
opportunity that afforded me a more in
innate personal knowledge. | thought
myself fortunate in falling in with so
agreeable a gentleman, and considered
lis face and manners peculiarly refined.
On our second meeting, noticed sim
gular rcstlesSncss Of the handsome dark
eyes, an irritable bitterness Of the lips,
ard disposition to be constantly or l. 2
move, shown in the tapping of light
bamboo cane, 0r in the motion of foot or
hand.
These thugs, however, did not strike
me as singular at the time, but, coupled
with what | afterwards learned. were
certain evidence that the man felt al
ready the cravings of the worm that
never dies.
One forenoon, we left the little sca-
port town where was sojourning, and
rode short distance into the interior of
the gorgeous island. Most glorious
were the surroundings on every hand.
With prodigality quite undrcamed os
by the inhabitants Of colder cline, Ia
tuIc had hoTercd her most exquisite
floral gifts everywhere. Trees loaded
with sweet smelling flowers, their intense
coors vieing with the foliage of richer
green, from ont Of which they smiled
tai! cactus plants, with crimson, goblet
shaped blossoms-lilies, gorgeous il
tie queenly unfolding of form and color
--everything rich, lavish, wonderful,
met our eyes, fcasted TO fullness with this
tropical luxuriance.
That is my house, said my new friend
pointing to low rooted cottage, sur
rounded by wide verandah, from whose
clinging vines sweet odors were hung
upon the soft atmCspherc-but from the
moment the words were uttered his So
ciability departed.
Within the cottage enclosure were
walks, bowers, and fountains. Chaste
statuary was dispersed over the grounds
with most charming effect. The house
seemed almost fairy structure, rising
in the midst Of flowers and foliage. And
the man who sat beside ne, whose smile
mounted no higher than his lips-the
dreamy. far-looking discomfort in his
eye growing every moment more percep-
tible-was the owner of this Eden like
home.
We were met on the threshold by a
lovely child of some eleven summers.
Her hair hung in curls. Her eyes par
tieularly lustrous, yet mournful in beau
ty, and on the young brow 1 seemed to
see somcthing-a shade of sadness
an unchildlike quiet--as she greeted
her new friend
Dressed IN pure white, she glided in
before US, and to her was left the duty
Of entertaining me while Mr.. c., ex-
cusing himself in the remark that sick
ness necessarily called him away, for a
halfhour OF so, left the room.
is your mother very unwell ? / ask
ed of the little girl, who with those
shallow filled eyes of hers, was regard
ing me gently, but attentively.
Yes, sir, mamma has been sick long
time,' replied she, dropping her eyes
while her lips trembled.