Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-12
For the Spirit of the Age.
ROsaline MaY's Journal.

Jnly 2lst. Can 1t be possible? Yes it
is even so, | am once more in Woodvillc.
Yet am lot at home. Kind friends have
welcomed me back and I o1ght to be sat
isfied but | cannot, for WoodviIIe is no
longer home. | arrived here this after
noon, and IN company with Johnnie, at
tended the new Presbyterian church.
There were many Of my old friends there,
and for moment the past was entirely
lost in the present. But soon memories of
other days and happier hours, passed at
home, and blessed with the love of kind
father, and gentle brother and sister, press
ed upon me and turned the pleasure into
pain. | am stopping with Capt. and
Mrs. Preston. The Capt. is a whole-souled
gentleman, and his wife perfect lady. 1t
was so pleasant to see my sister once more.
Poor Allen looks pale and feeble. | hope
he will soon be well.
July 23d. A rain day; what ladv
loves rainy day?' | do 1t gives an
opportunity to those who love to build air
castles, to indulge in their favorite past
time. This morning, between the showers,
called on old Aunt Nelson. She was
entered the room | encountered Gilwood
Cleveland; he was SO changed in looks that
| scarcely recognized him; and to you my
good old Journal, who have been the sharer
of my Joys and sorrows for four long wears,
| will confess that | was surprised. can
hardly realize that eleven months absence
can have changed the looks of one, and the
feelings of another, so completely. Yet,
such is life | know from experience now
that absence conquers love. One short
wear ago | left WoodyiIIe despairing :;
months passed and still the wild infatuation
held its sway, health gave way, and reason
almost tottered on her throne. Now
have returned with reluctance to the scene
of nv old cnchantmcnt. But the spell is
ended, the fascinated bird is FREE. He
was here this evening, and we met in 9
crowd, coldIy, carelessly, and calmly, even
as [ felt. Thank God for His great good
ness, in letting me see the folly of my pas
life. and in bringing me to bow before him
with humility Of heart, and devotion to Hi
cause.
july oath. To day my old friend Jen
ME. came to see me, and though weak ant
lancuid, could not forego the pleasure O
visit to my dear old friends at Traveller
Rest When | arrived there, found it a
ever homelike, and with a look of quie
simplicity, that appealed directly to III
heart. Jennie played and sang, HON
again. HHome sweet Home and 4 woul
not live alwav,' with much feeling. Th
latter however pleased me most, for it wa
bu, a echo Of my own sentiments.
would not live alway' Oh, no, let m
nv life be short one, and with my fra
and feeble constitution, my wish will 500
be granted. This is my last visit to th
little lakeside village. Those who hav
greeted my return so kindly, when the
SEE the simple announcement that tells
nv departure for brighter cline, will e,
claim-poor child, her tempest-tossed spi
it has at last found rest perhaps they ms
breathe a sigh, then forget me. The
again nv enemies will say, she's gone
zast,' and the sCorld is rid Of the POOR Ii
: TILE FOOL But am nervous, my head
burning with fever. I VIII seek in balm
, slumber the repose that my weary spi
p so much needs.
= July 25th. Several of my old acqua
f tances called to-day, but [ was SO we
that could not enjoy their company muc
q | have almost lost all interest in life;
). I am happy, for as each day draws tc
Il close, feel that ! am one day nearer hor
nv eternal resting place. Mrs. Prest
II and dear Augusta are so kind to me, Il
- | scarcely realize that am an invalid.
Il have not told you of my new friend I
" eusta before, dear old Journal, but I'll
YOU now, that she is one Of the dearest q
=, best of women, and | love her SO much
Il 7 have mentioned Ida LIE Nada beto
n the darling loves me devotedly, and | kn
f f not why, but l almost idoiize the child
- God bless her, and make her life far h
pier than mine has been, and at last, wi
- her time on earth is ended, may lie m;
~ ~ her shining angel in heaven.
70 july 28th. l am here yet. 1t IS
+ 7 sabbath. calm, peaceful and still. | W
to Sunday School this morning, and tau
~ Mr.. Wilton's class. Augusta was
- - me. When l entered the portals OF
% dear old church, memories of other d
On ''0''' ~