The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-05-20
TERms----Two DOLLARS PER ANNUM,]
BY w. A. LEE AND HUGH WILSON

the picture which lies upon my desk; or
rather let mo describe the dear girl, whose
sweet face this faded Daguerreotype but
family represents.
Her eyes are "deeply, darkly, beautifully
blue;" her face is round and full, and with
but little color; her nose inclnes to the
| Grecian order, her mouth is small, and
gives to her whole coun,enance an express
sion Of calm, uncompromising dignity her
hair-I never saw anything half SO bcauti- !
ful-is dark brown, and falls upon her !
shoulders in Iuxuriant curls. Her forehead ,
is very fair and high her lips red as coral ;
her teeth white as polished ivory, and her
chin beautifully rounded. When silent,
the expression Of or countcnancc is one Of
mingled pride and sadness; but when in
conversation with any one in whom she
confidcs, she becomes fascinating, bewitch-
ing, and irrisistibly attractive and lovely.
Oh what beautiful daguerreotype she
might have made. had the would be artist
understood the effect Of light and shade, or
studied the Importance Of position
The light, in the picture before me, falls,
in glare, directly upon the head, brow and
tip Of the nose; the soft blue eye, which re-
quires suhdued light is not only out of focus
but altogether enveloped in confused. misty
cloud; destroying the whole effect of the
picture. The pretty little mouth reminds
me of a badly made button hole; the nose
looks like a cigar stump; and the deicately
curved neck is as black as the ace Of spades.
The picture was never properly washed,
and not gildcd at all. DO you wonder,
that feel vexcd with the man who commit
ted such sacrilcge! ] wist not.
Nevertheless, love to look upon this
dear little picture, because she sat for it
she gave it to me!
But it is fading day by day, and no ar,
of man can arrest the progress Of decay.
Can not obtain another, and more per-
feet picture? But would it realy be re-
presentation Of the same aifcctionate girl,
who WAS ''thc starlight Of my boyhood p
Would it not be the pert boarding school
belle q the accomplished drawing room
Miss ?-whole mind has been educated and
polished at the expense Of the heart?
Who shall be the Judge? Who shall
say that time may not have wrough,
changes in her tastes, sentiments, and ideas:
Who can state positively that new faces
" new associations and scenes has not torn
j the record Of the past from her heart
Does she ever think of Wile's love now
{, Does size feel any heart longings for re
# newal Of rainbles in the wildwood, the pres
r. sed hand, the eloquent glance Of quiet love
J. the stolen kiss the broken language Of pure
a. affection? I wist not.
,e What then would care for lew pic
,e ture! !
I No, no; this faded likeness recalls tn
c. happy past-brings to view every rainbow
er star and flower that gave its beauty ligh
and fragrance to the young heart. 1t mind
~ me of those winterless years of the long age
re- when there came no sunset, no cloud, n
rs. midnight hours.
M thank God for the memories of the pa:
We am regardless Of the experience ofthe pre-
", ent, and look fearlessly and unconcerne
far out into the misty future.
,at always keep this faded daguerreotyr
he in my vest pocket, and, somehow or otte
a. have got into the habit Of keeping m
,ut thumb in that precious little pocket ever
mid time take walk. If 1 wish to offer
,on friend cigar, ten chances to one that
ing hand him the daguerreotype instead of n
,ite cigar.case; if I want to drop a piece
money into the palm Of the beggar's han
oor I almost aways have to apologize for dro
hill ping the picture instead of the coin.
led have more than once caught myself biti
for at the little morocco case, instead Of r.
yet, tobacco and last night mistook it for
! he inkstand. All! folks call such things
ma these "absence Of mind;'' but it is siml
her the concentration of mind and heart up
as a single object.
am About year ago, was made acquai
fact ed with one of the loveliest maidens, ths
eet- ever knew. She was only seventeen; b
and liantIy accomplished, and very wealt
love We became quite intimate, and were. Of
arts. together: We loved-there is no do,
pro- about that-and feel we'll persuaded, t
ent! | might have married her, had it not bt
> the for the faded daguerrcotype. Sine saw
that and was very curious to know whose j
~ is ness it was; and replied, that "she VIII
this little miniature represents is dearer to
OF be than the love Of life."
From that hour she avoided my soci
, and and T bave never soon bsr a;ncs A f.;
'ozily tells ons tbat sbe m.rr;ed Tb.nt God
ever =, ..uI u;,h i, -.