Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-09-21
For the Spirit of the Age.
A Mighty Change.

Ihe scene was beneath the spreading |
branches of large oak; which offered
protection to the famished and wearied. 1t
was the spot where the Nightingale, in gen.
tie note, prolonged the music of wild free
dom-where the feathered tribe in all their
gay plumage and melody, loved to live and
chant their praises to the Alternative Pow
er. It was the day too, that Nature had
chosen to show forth her great beauty
The earth clad in an enduring green of
tree and plant gladdened the rowing eye,
and exhaled its blossoming scents to the
balmy air, which mild as zephyr, melo-
diously sung among the leafy boughs and
waited the refined perfume to the clouds.
The sky, pure as chrysolite, overtopped
the scene with ethereal splendor and be-
nignantly looked down upon the harmoni-
GUS sylvan company.
looked out, and beheld all Nature
clothed in her most beautiful robe, which
seemed to speak with more enthusiasm than
did the PHILOSOPHERS or Poets of DID,
The morning sun of spring shone bright.
The sweet melodies of the thousand voiced
songsters of the forest foated gently across
the heath, borne upon the soft breeze en-
riched with the fragrance Of every flower.
And | saw two beings in the hues of
youth man and wife, planting seed and
shrubbery. They spoke to each other Of
ten with smile--and seemed pleased at
what each did. The rose of health was
upon the cheeks of both, and kindness in
their mien. On them all fortune seemed
to smile. And l said unto myself are they
not happya A spirit near me answered
ay. In my heart wondered what couid
there be to mar the happiness of two be-
ingsl like these-And 1 Ihung doacn nsy head.
Time flies. Years had passed away. I
, looked up. The MONDAY sun of summer
came down through the interstices of the
! trees. The famished herds lay painting in
the shade. Not voice was to be heard.
The flowers had closed themselves to shell
! ter their inward sweetness from the burn
; ing rays of the scorching sun. A glimmer-
ing and sultry heat had taken the place Of
the refreshing breeze that stirred in the
e e morning. / saw an athletic man with
!. strong arm fretting the soil with the plough
y ! thus causing the earth to yield her abun
= = dance by the sweat of his brow. By hi
= side stood the partner of his bosom, thai
T = bad blessed him in the morning with he
love and made him the father of the chill
e dren that play in the brook and chase th'
u butterflies with merry shout Ger the gleb,
about them. asked myself if things ikt
} these were not pleasure A spirit nea
} me answered--ay. In my heart l won
: dered if that happiness could ever be dis
: ! turbed-Arod I hang doaon nay head.
u = l looked up. The hours had grown int
!. :. years. There was no sun, yet it was no
y night--a great cloud lined the west il
= black. The winter winds howled through
= the leafless trees. / sought where first
, saw them--the two in whom had take
an interest-lo! they were not-but ram
- weeds over their flower beds lay rotting i
= crude masses-and their ornament tree
" 90 were matted with the old nests Of devourin
insects, and beneath the crumbling wal
falling tOmbstenes leaned over the grave
: of their children. The two whom sougl
- were not here. l knew them little aftt
:, - in two emaciated beings, clothed in all th
- stiffness of their tattered rags, leaning u
40 'te on staff, moving up and down the lane
~ ~ homeless and misunderstanding aims
NJ their felowBan with palsicd hand an
- cursing the hour they were born.
~. ! wepb-and asked myself wherefore q
;g this ohangag A spirit near me answered
'n LIZ DRANK RUMI With deep sigh hui
II ~ down my head. HUGO.