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

ter's hnnd, bound in white morocco, with ,golG
elhsp,i ION which was inscribed, sEseH Douglass
from her Molher.'" And with fervent Got
bless you,"' left the room: -.
So they stood side BY side: -Estell Douglass
and; Clarence Stuart And. the man of. God
pronounced them one, to be separated no more
tilldeath should part them. The marriage had
been quite private, only avery few friends be.
ing insited to witness the nuptial: Mr.. Dou.
glass wished to have large wedding to cele.
brate the marriage Of his only daughter, but
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
mducement to Clarence, to come and make his
bome in Windham, (that being ths name Of the
town where Mr.. Douglass resided.) And Clarence
promised that as soon as he could bring his
business to close, he would bring Estell home
to reside near her parents. -
The happy couple left for New York City,
.looking forward to long life ofbliss in tie So
ciety of each other. What . mercy it is that
there is curtain drawn between us and the
future; for could that happy trusting bride have
known that day, what would transpire e'er she
should again behold The homeH 3er Childhood,
she;would have laid her head |. aHlpsl her Mothers
breast: and prayed to die. How true, that
sufficient 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 solace of their declining years
was about to leave them. Deep was the grief
on both sides; but youth is ever buoyanf, and
Estell's 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.
Estell 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-tle stupenduous
Cat>klls 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 Estell could scarcely
comprehend that they Ind really been all day
OH the water, and was almost sorry when they
drew near to the dusty and crowded pier at the
foot of Chambers Street.
s Iu few days thcy were pleasantly settled
in Astor Place, Seventh street; and the young
'6rids refr as'evr-ee' q W
overhowing. Mr.. Stuart's place Of business was
in Pearl Street, but his business hours were
from ten, NJ, until three in the evening; So
be always dined at home, and spent the evening
in his wifs's society. Every day appeared but
to add to their happiness. Estell would won.
der at times if such happiness was intended for
mortals 20 am SO happy" she would say
to Clarence, "that 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 Ills business, and they
anticipated spending the first anniversary ol
their marriage in Windham. Estell longe9 to
see erparents and tell them that now she had
come to live with them to be 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 Windbain. But it
was not so to be. One evening he returned
from the store feeling rath.r unwel the day
following fever set in, and 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 ljs hours were numbered,
and he -hDd much to saY. He implored her to
be calm and listen to him. He spoke cheerfully,
saying, "EstelI, try and submit to the will of
the Almighty, without murrnuring. 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 Estel were sent for immedi-
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 Genetary; to await the promised
resurrection.
"Not dead but gone BEFORE" is the simple
inscription on the plain marble slab that marks
the spot where sleep the mortal remains oil
him have in 'tuis' story named Clarence
Stuart. -
The widowed Estcll returned With her: pa
rents to her childhosd home, and entered again
tho chamber where one short year befoEe she
had seen herself reflected from her mirror
bride. ALI what change! Instead OF bridal
attire, widows weeds now draped the slender
form and the fair young face appeared even
more fair, contrasted 1ith her mourning garb.
1t was thus Estell Douglass was welded and
widowed in one short year. Two years
passed and still widows weeds draped the
slender:girlish form, and the long veil was never
thrown back from the sweet sad face, and sell
dom seen except at Church.
Isaw Estell quite frequently during her wild
owhood, as there were a large family of my
relatives residing in Windham Cousin Ellen
Sanders and myself correspondsd regularly, and
as never failed to inquire after the lovely
young widow, was kept duly informed of
the events ~ they tran,,,ired. Time, the great