Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-23
Original 4apers.
Written for the Spirit of the Age.
A TRIP TO A WATERING PLACE,
And its COnseque noes
BY MINNIE L. RAY.
CHAPTER /.

BY MINNIE L. Ray.
CHAPTER /.
One evening I, Leoline Fairfield, took a
solitary walk, and gathered some beautiful
flowers on the banks Of Of quiet wind
ing stream that emptied its waters in
the Wild roaring sea. When | arrived at
home, being tired, ] threw my flowers on the
table and commenced reading one of those
wild romantic love stories, that well suits
the ardent temperament Of every native of
"the dew-dropping" south. As the shades
Of evening deepened around, the wind
arose and whistled mournfulIy about our
cottage home, like the signing wall of
a departed spirit After a while the wind
lulled, the "queen OF the silver bow" with
her less brilliant but numerous companions,
eft their hiding places, and sang together
for JOY in the cool, soft evening hours.
put my book down, took my seat on
the window sill and commenced looking
out on the sweet, bright sylvan scene that
presented itself. gave up to the entran
cling influence Of the time, and was soon
entirely lost in contemplating the stars,
those magnificent works of God our Gre
ator. Soon a strain of heavenly music,
which seemed as if it came from the or
chestra above, foated on the air; and the
flowers which had wilted, raised their heads
and filed the air with their fragrant per-
fume. Now soft hazy mist creeps over
every thing, and beautiful, radiant crea-
tvro, 18th h-a-oraIun- of stars on her fore
head, chanted the following:
As lightly floats the water star,
And gems the limpid stream,
Thy graceful, radiant loveliness-
star Of earth doth BEAM
As meath the wave its seeds are nursed,
For future bloom above;
Within thy soul thou cherishest-
Hope, Meekness, Faith and Love,
And like the gem thy soul shall rise,
When earth's cold bonds are riven
Inbale the light in cloudless skies,
md bloom star in heaven.
Instinctivelv, knelt at her feet, and be-
sought her t. tell NE from whence che
came, ana how it was that she noticed one
40 lionel; and so sad. Pointing her wanc
to the brightest starin the heavens, she ex
claimcd-"I am thy guardian angel-lhavC
wat Led you in your loneliness and sorrow
and have seen how meekly you have born
all your trials. But your day of probation
ended, YOU have passed through the fir
and come forth purified. Rejoice, trie
spirit-your reward is at hand. You
crosses are ended henceforth your lif
will be ono Of unmitigated bliss. You wi
never regret the past" The soft, mild me
odious strain grew louder, and the beaut
ful, flowers we're changed into their fair
forms, when making a chain around m
they sang the following truly beautif
lines:
How soon the dreams Of earth depart,
rs hopes-oh what are they?
How often from the dropping heart
They melt and fade away.
Like the soft cloud that gently floats
Across the summer sky,
like dow drops glittoring meath the SUM-
Earth's lairest visions die"
Fair mortal cast thy fears away,
The dark, dark clouds disappearing,
No moro will sorrow rend ycur heart,
Nor pale the blush your cheek is wearing
Just mt this moment | was awaken
from my enchanting dream, for such it W
by my friend Marion Sanborn, with an e
nest request that would leave my drea
for short time, as company was in
parlor and she had something of imp
tancc to communicate. Marion SanbC
was young married lady, with whor
spent the greatest portion of my time
Cav, fascinating and beautiful, she wa
universal favorite, and her real goodnes:
heart converted into friends MANY VIII
her levity and thoughtlessuess would h
L.. Ia ko1 Hnn
wish ungratifcd, for in her childhood
had indulgent parents whose wealth c
bled them to crafty her every fan
and now as wife, she was idolized by
more thoughtful husband. But am
crossing. | soon put myself;n N presents
order and went to the parlor, and 8
being there few moments, did not re
the sudden termination Of my beau
dream, as it had thrown mo in a circ
pleasant friends who bid fair to make
evening hours pass away merrily. Aft
number Of games had been played and
conversation began to flag, some ligh
freshments were served, and Marion bro
ed the ell important subject Of which
bad spoken. "Girls, one and ALL liste
Mr.. Sanborn has just consented to my
ling wish Of spending the summer at s
of the usual resorts. Now this is
plan; | wish each and all of you tc
company me, aud the place the majori
the crowd chooses, shall be the pla
which we 60" A chorus fvoices rec &c
ioyfal assent to the plan, and inde,
seemed carried away with the idea, e
myself "Co@e Leolne," said Late lie