The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-11
foH THE INDEPENDENT PRESS. !
Florida Correspondent.
TO AN OLD FRIEND.
LAKE CITy f.

My DEAR LELrA.-Many days have
passed since | saw your happy tranquil face,
upon which, | could never look and remain
sad. No matter how dark a cloud might
have over-si'adowed my life's path, your
radiant smiles would chase away the gloom.
rejecting sunshine and brightness upon
my benighted way. Yes! It's long time
my dear, since we met, and mingled our
voices in joy, or in sadness: And now, as
SIT upon the moss'carpe,ed ground, in the
shadow of large Magnolia, my thoughts
are with the vanished past, reviewing scenes
OF by-gone happy days, when the world
seemed one bright summer day. Yours.
with other loved faces, are brought up viv-
IDLY before my minds eye; and how sweet
to look into those soft, teIl.tale eyes, which
speak volume in glance, and have those
arms around me twined, in fond enlracr.
while listening to the sweetest voice, pour
ing INTO my car, its ovcrflowing soul, and
know within that snowy bosom, beats on.
true, one devoted heart. But on awakine
to consciousness, and finding It's but a dream.
the big tears roll in torrents, down my
cheeks, and the reality of our scparatiou
presents itself, but let us not forget, there is
time coming not many months hence,
when we may again meet, and together
spend many happy hours, either in our
quiet rooms, enjovinga social chat, or roam
ing the broad, green fields, or along the
lowering banks of the bright running
brook
DO YOU know, Leila, am now in the
land Of flowers away from the
loved ones of my childhood, and from those
dear ones, who cluster around the cheerful
tlrcs'dc at my good old home. Home
what a sweet word to the weary wanlercr.
lis music in his ear, he loves to think and
sing ofhome. He thinks it is the pret,iest
spot on ca,h. No matter if it's the hmm.
o'eSt cottage, It's pictured upon the tablet
OF his memory, as a thing of bcautv-is
ever longing 10 behold again those sacred
scenes, around which memory loves to clinp.
and oI.en, too, he longs for some good old
friend, whoE. time with her trials, lave
proved to be true that he might tell to
him the SORROWS and cares. as well nc the
joys and pleasures, that at times fill his hea-
wing bosom but unfortunately, this lux.
nry is denied to poor stranger in a strange
land. lie must brood alone, over his dai
Iy losses for he finds no willing ear to lis
ten to bis story Of grief-no loving, trust.
ing bosom, sympalhises with his troubled
breast; and It's thevery time he most needs
friend. His heart is almost breaking
many times and he turns to his profsscd
a cold look, and freezing
answer, and he is ready to cxclaim what
Selfish world Then he bethinks himself
of the Friend of the friendless in the soil.
tude Of his chamber, he pours out his soul,
in humble prayer. to merciful God, and
1t he is true follower of the Sayiorwill
be blessed with the comforting presence of
the holy spirit. which never forsakes the
faithful in heart.
For fear of trying your patience, Leila
dear, | must not continue such melan.
choIlysstrain perhaps few stray thoughts
relative to the beauties OF this delightful
Pennsular, would not be uninteresting. Il
LETT Carolina in November last. about the
time the beautiful birds deserted their sum.
mer retreats, wandering away in search Of
a more genial chime. where they might
bask in perennial sunshine, or nestle in bow
ers OF everlasting green. am perfectly de-
lighted with Florida; ever since was 1T.
tie child, have had a longing desire to
visit the land. where the gentle sp,ing frs,
untods the tender leaves, and strews over
the plains the fairest, sweetest blossoms. and
where cold winter scarcely mars the bloom.
ing summer. When first came here.
smiling flowers were scattered all over the
wild wood in the freshness of spring, but
we have recently, had some quite cold wea-
ther-frost and some ice, and beneath the
stern frown Of unrelenting winter, those ten.
der fowere.s have witbered, and no more
.tbeir sweet perfume floats upon the breeze.
But though those smiles ofsnature. no more
greet US in our favorite strolls, there are
other beauties, wooingips ont from our
hearstes1seones, when the days are mild, aud
thu ~ IN hrs,xl,k - ,