Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-02-16

ter's hnnd, bound in white morocco, with golt
clasp, on which was inscribed, 'EstsN Douglass
from. her lfother'" And with feryent " Coz
bless you," left the room.
So they stood side by side-Estell Douglass
and Clarence Stuart. And the man of Goo
pronounced them one, to be separated no more
till death should part them. The marriage hai
been quite private, only very few friends be-
Ing insted to witness the nuptial. Mr.. Dou
glass wished to have large wedding to cele
brate the marriage of his only daughter, bu
Estell would not agree to it; and, as usual, she
was allowed to have her own way. The Father
was 10th to give up his child, and offered every
inducement to Clarence, to come and make hi:
home in Windham, (that being the name Of the
town where Mr.. Douglass resided.) And Clarence
promised that as soon as be could bring his
business to a close. he would bring Estell home
to reside near her parents.
The happy couple left for New York City
Looking forward to long life Of bliss in the So
ciety of each other. What . mercy it is that
there is a curtain drawn between US and the
future; for could that happy trusting bride have
known that day, what would tlanspire e,er she
should again behold the homebf j er childhood
she would have laid her head apopl her Mothers
breast and prayed to die. How true, that
"suficient for the day is the evil thereof"
Sad and fearful was the parting; for the only
daughter, the light and sunshine Of her parents
dwelling-thc solace of their declining years
was about to leave them. Deep was the grief
on both sides; but youth is ever buoyant, and
Estelps tears were soon dried There was SO
much to engage her attention. They went on
board the steamboat at Albany; the day was
delightful, and the prospect enchanting. Al
most the entire day they remained on deck.
Estel was delighted with all she saw-every
thing was new to her. She had never been on
the Hudson River before, aud enjoyed the trip
with zest that delighted Clarence, who never
grew tired of pointing out to her places of in
terest, and Towns Of note-tlc stupenduous
Cat>ltills with their blue tops, and West Point
with its many interesting associations.
1t was four o'clock in the evening when they
reached New York, and EstelI could scarcely
comprehend that they had really been all day
on the water, and was almost sorry when they
drew near to the dusty and crowded pier at the
| foot of Chambers Street.
In few days thcy were pleasantly settled
in .Astor Place, Seventh street and the young
6ride lere1nasee.- vnr ~ 51i!, "
overtlowing. Mr.. Stuart's place Of business was
| in Pearl Street, but his business hours were
from ten, 4 NJ, until three in the evening So
he always dined at home, and spent the evening
in his wite's society. Every day appeared but
TO add to their happiness. Estell would Won
der at times if such happiness was intended for
mortals go am so happy" she would say
to Clarence, "th,t am fearful it cannot last"
Alas that her prophecy Should have been so
soon fulfilled. Their happiness was indeed too
perfect to be Of long duration.
They had now been married ten months. MIR.
Stuart had nearly closed his business, and they
anticipated spending the first anniversary oi
their marriage in Windham. Estell longer' to
see her parents and tell them that now she had
come to live with them to he parted from them
no more Yielding to their entreaty, Mr.. Stu
art had sold out in New York and would in
future make his home in WindLaln. But it
was not so to be. One evening he returned
from the store feeling ratL.r unwell the day
following fever set in, aud the ninth day he
called his wife to the bedside and told her that
he must leave her. lie had felt confident from
the first of his illness that he should never re-
cover, and had delayed telling her as long as
possible; but now his hours were numbered,
and he hGd much to say. lie implored her to
be calm and listen to him. He spoke cheerfully,
saying, "Estell, try and submit to the will OF
the Almighty, without murInurins. 1t is hard
to leave you, but have no fear of the dark
valley Do not think of me as being dead, on
ly gone before"
The parents Of Estell were sent for lmmedl-
ately, but they came too late! When they ar
rived Clarence Stuart had already passed away
And they laid him beneath the tall trees IN
Greenwood Cemetary, to await the promised
resurrection.
"Not dead but goue BEFORE" is the simple
inscription on the plain marble slab that marks
the spot where sleep the mortal remains o.
him / have in 'tlis story nalnei Clarence
Stuart.
The widowed Es,cll returned With hcr: pa
rents to her childhood home, and entered agar
tho chamber where one short year before sic
had seen herself reflected from her mirror
bride. Ah what change! Instead OF brida
attire, widows weeds now draped the slender
form and the fair young face appeared ever
more fair, contrastrd with her mourning garb
1t was thus Estell Dotglass was welded anc
widowed in one short year. Two years
passed and still widows weeds draped the
slender girlish form, and tue long veil was never
thrown back from the sweet sad !sce' ana Sci
dom seen except at Church.
saw Estell quite frequently during her wid
owhood, as there were large family OF M!
relatives residing in Windham. Cousin E!leI
Sanders and myself correspondei regularly, ant
as never failed to inquire after the lovely
young widow, was kept duly informed o
the events as they tran,rired. Time, the grea
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