Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-10-12

conscious nature, that made the skies look
so bright, the flowers so beautifuls What
made thoughts as beautiful as the stars,
and feelings plumed like birds of Paradise,
come singing into your bosom What
influence was it that stirred the depths of
your heart with new melody, and sent a
wave Of beauty over your soul as sweet as
the fragrance of flowers that bloom in
dreamland 1t was nothing but Mss
Esterling for the next month-ttere was
no body in the world (your world1 but
her! Nobody had such a sweet voice
nobody played such beautiful music, and
of all the hands in the world, hers was the
softest, prettiest and most beautiful It
was so soft! SO very small SO exquisitely
moulded, that you, somehow or other,
could not touch it unless thrill of rap
ture went through your heart. Oh it
was such dear little hand
Months passed away, and now you ven
tured to call her Miss Julia. You took
long walks together; and as you felt the
precious little hand upon your arm, you
felt like pressing it within your own, and
pressing it to your mute lips. Oh if you
dared to put that inclination into practice 7
You intended to have done So last night
you felt sure that you could muster cour-
age to kiss that little hand the next time
you met her. Could youa
1t was beautiful moon-iHumined night
you were alone with her. She knew
you loved her and was silent. You felt a
choking sensation in your tnroat-struck
the gravel walk with your stick-pulled at
your neck-tie-looked at your watch
clenched your fist and coughed. You
dropped glove and arose to pick It up
and In rcsuming your seat you got con-
siderably closer to Miss Julia. You asked
some question about bracelet that glis-
tened upon her wrist, and took that oppor-
tunity of clasping her pretty little hand.
She trembled and half withdrew her hand,
but you aoould not release your grasp; SO
she became quiet and you-considerably
nervous.
After a most delicious silence, You mus
tered courage and kissed the pretty hand
She makes no resistance-you quietly slip
your arm around her waist-you can al
most hear her heart throb-you draw hel
close beside you, and with desperate
courage whisper, "My dear Julial" Was
it not SO, old man?
She-poor little thing l-understood
what all that meant, and pitied your EN-
barrassment far more than you dreamed
of. You draw her yet closer to your side
she turns her blushing face towards yor
course, your lips meet, ana nef afesllf Iaa.
upon your shoulder. On! what can pur
chase the memory of that hour, old man
Oh! the beautiful days, that came after
that moonlight night! You could throw
aside your coat then, and go to work witt
a right good will-there was something
worth living for-something worth toilins
for.
Your hitherto dropping head was liftec
above the fog, into the warm bright sun
light of unutterable peace and satisfaction
your step grew manly, firm and unfal
tering, as you mingled among your fellow
men.
The frown disappeared from your brow
the expression of scorn forsook your lips
and, now, you can smile upon your fello'
men, and speak gentle words to even ittl
children. How the tones of Julia's yoic,
came down upon your heart like th
"PEAcE, BE STILL" upon the waters of Ga
ilee how your own voice fell into whi
pers whenever she was by your side!
"Oh! then the longest summers day
Seemed too too much in haste still the full hea
Had not impHted half"
Did you see fower-you instant
plucked it for Julia-your Julia!-for 81
was fond of flowers. Did your eye fl
upon pearly shell, lying on the sand
4 beach ?-you stopped to take it from
! resting place took out your handkerchi
and cleansed it SO nicely; put it careful
j in your vest pocket until you could see ]
l lia-she Ioved shells. Don't you remer
) Der those days, old man s-and has n
| the fragrance Of their blessedness float
r out upon the stream of life, and linger
about your old heart for 10! these ma
Shade the dim eyes WifR-s1sS-- ssss a
memory, and look away back to that sun
morning in June, when you stood by t
altar with your beautiful bride. Now 10
upon your "old woman" sitting SO quie
by the log ire-take her tremulous ha
!, in yours-smooth back her silver loc
!. and tell me if she is not Julia still--yo
: Julia! Thank God for human love -
eI cred, virtuous, and faithful love!
! Don't you remember the. little cotts
by the river side to which you took yc
Julias The furniture was very plain
;" there was no fine silver plate upon
I door-no carpet upon the floor. 3
q then the little garden was very pretty, .
al the beautiful river was so pleasant to
81 eye; and what was better than all, L
mi was in the little cottage peace was in
wi little cottage--humble trust in Him '
Il feedeth the ravens was In the little
II, tage; and it was very sweetto return Fl
eel your labor when the setting sun made |
att shadows in the field, and find Julia W
d, ing for you by the wicket gate. Perh
rs your face and hands grew red, then d
beneath the merciless rays of the merie
sun; but yon did not mind that
be loved you all the better for that, and /
N ed her soft cheek against your tanned
lat Just as affectionateiy as when the r
artl were there. -.
rel There was an unusual sound in the
,hel tage one snowy day-"a wellspring o
light" was in the household baby's
,oul tie voice came like plaintiye melody !
,anl vour cara bahy's little head press