Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-19
For the Spirit of the Age.
A TRUE TALE OF THE SOUTH.
"wHo KNOWS BUT HE wILL?p

1hhs LDliOh UCHCtlu d uuUp Die
of pamphlets and periodicals of different
kinds, have dug up a tract, containing
the following beautiful andinteresting facts.
1t has been buried beneath the accumu-
lating dusts of ten summers and so heart
moving were its effects upon me, that l
arose from its perusal a wiser and better
man. | submit it, therefore, for your con
sidcrations feeling. that after this ac-
acknowledgements upon my part, you will not
charge me with being guilty Of plagiarism:
In year IL, might have been seen, in
the midst of the neat and pleasant village
of s., situated in the distant south, the
stately mansion Of the ancient family of
L. Like the walls of Publicola, it
lowered above the petty citizens ; but not
like the humble patriotism of that noble
Roman, who, for equality's sake, condemn
ed and levelled his proud pile,' year after
year, in this magnificent abode, pride and
wealth had combined to lavish their gifts
and expend their favors. Upon the out
side, nature also had been laid under tri-
butte. The entwining honcysucklc and
chickasaw rose had SO climbed the noble
pillars, and interviewer with the upper lat
tice work of the mansion, as to make
of the ample porch, what seemed a
queenly retreat or fairy bower. The inside
was in strict keeping with the exterior,
which, when lighted up with the matronlv
grace and sparkling beauty of the elegant
mother and daughters of that princely place,
was both the retreat of fashion and hospi-
%tality's chosen home. The armorial bear
ings upon the pannels and above the doors
Of the great hall; the stiff pictures of the
days Of Henry ~. of France, together with
the stately presence and court-like bearing
of the old lIuguenot at the head of the es-
~tablishmcnt, reminded the visitor of the
castle-days of his great ancestry.
George was the only son Of this distin-
guished family, which ranked among tho
first of the aristocracy Of the State, and in
whose veins flowed the best blood of an,
cient chivalry in all the noble South
Proud Of their lineage, which, if it did no
run 10 the Saxon line, and date back from
the days of William the Conqueror, wa
not unblest of heraldry for it found N
less honorable distinction in the fountain
currents of the Colignis Of France and tn
Dukes Of Navarro.
The banner of their name, both in the
own land and in the struggle for liberty j
this, had tloatcd above the the carnage
many a well fought field, the remembrance
Of which was now an heirloom in til
peaceful retreat.
At the time we write, George had ju
=, returned from College halls where he ha
graduated with distinction, and now,
> literary freshness, he wore his blushir
y honors thick upon him. Full of the libe
g ty which had suddenly burst upon hil
l. after his four years bondage, like the you
re eaglet preparing for his first flight, he pa
&c ted for some wild adventure or merry cha:
n in which the freshness of life's free enio
ment might promise him fair reward. III
he soon found. Just then it was announc
. that the Methodists were holding a car
Oh meeting across the Fork, and only a f
he miles from the village, where it was 81
"a great excitement prevailed, and many W,
protesting religion.
! THAT be my trysting place and fair,
So bring my steed, my ebon squire"
sang George from the old ditty, as he c
ed CaLO, Ills LFuSly, Olu, ana faithful
To- want, to bring his horse.
Cato, oh Cato Il beg pardon of y
in ancient Roman name. Mr.. Cato, come,
on. gallant old squire, bring out my horse,
we let him be well provided for. | am boz
for the camp. Come, be quick time
700 and | must be off
III why, Master George! what camp
TO gwyne TO? Thar amt no war gwine
'ur Your great namcsake, Master Gee
Washington, whipped the British clean
ed, of the Plantations afore you was borl
ap- Old Cato had finger in that pie, but
tho live too late. But where yc gwine, Ma
A. George? Is it to a sure enough camp
IN tell you, Cato; and if you like,
shall 90 with me and see the sport. ]
going to camp meeting. There no,
5 of knew you'd show your yellow ivory at
for you remember how often you usec
ne lecture me at school for being SO wild
= am about to take your advice, You see
the and you shall 90 with me, that you
nth, still be my sable mentor in the path o
kerr form and George laughed heartily,
the Cato, after the first emotion, was sci
mes and solemn.
Tnd Thank You, thank you, Master Gee
Inc Inc said the old negro, odd Cato will go
kinr you, and glad Of the chance. O bles
Ma. Lord, Cato's soul was converted at
ran meeting, and old man been very happ
tisfy er since. No 'fraid to die, Master &c
iPle. no 'fraid of the debil no, no, (str
e be- his heart all here strong, and Cato
re. as a lion. o Master George, if the bl
onir. Saviour would make you so. happy,
their shout and praise God : and the tears
con- led down the old mans check.
still well, well, 90 along said George
ny to ". WHO kaowS but he wiU."
ering The blessed Lord grant it. said ca
cula, himself, as he left his young master t,
great form his bidding. But ere the goo
man negro was out Of sight, and hidden /
;e see neat white cottages Of the slave quart
was his way to the stables-for h. lived i
an in land Of slavery so traduced and defan
after the words which George had accide
We 0e- spoken, were fixing themselves in tn
= Tue dents soul, and he was revolving i
,rt;Ir mind and bordering in his heart, ",
com knowing the reason why, Who knoa
ngs of he wiHN