Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04

III one Ol our llr1VlH8 country I0WnS. ue-
lens education was not completed, but she
bid fair to become in every respect an accom-
plished young lady. Not accomplished as
some in the present fast age" consider it
a young lady just returned from boarding
school, decked gaudily in feathers and fiounces.
with considerable quantity of "small talk, :"
made less Ineligible by mixture of French
and Italian-a tolerable knowledge of music,
which, by the way, she knows a good deal
more about than English-any quantity of
affectation, and altogether an accomplished
firt No, not such but sensible and re-
| fined lady, polite and easy in her manners,
agreeable in conversation, and with pleasant
smiles and kind words to extend beyond the
sphere of the ball room.
On the same evening that Mabel Hazelet
sat in solitude thinking sadly Of relinquishng
| the lovely scenes of her quiet vale for dis
tant home out in the busy world Helen
Carleton was seated in a crimson covered
rocking chair, in her fathers drawing reom
surrounded by several of her most intimate
aequaintances. 1t was her fifteenth birthday,
but had been spent quietly, with the excep-
tion of those few friends passing the evening
with her. Their gifts, prompted by loving
hearts, had been affectienately received Her
mothers handsome gift, and the magnificent
l., bound volumes presented by her father,
had been exhibited and after waltzes, pokas
and Duets on the handsome rosewood piano,
and songs in which their voices all blended in
perfect harmony, they were quietly seatedin
group near the open window. Helen was
eagerly perusing letter which had Just been
brought in to her, and ended with exclama-
tions of delight "Oh girls | am SO glad.
She is coming-she will be here day after
tomorrow to stay such nice long time.
will not be lonesome any more, and | shall
love her, oh, so much l' and the enthusiastic
!, girl fairly bounded from her seat in the midst
Of velvet cushions
Love whom p queried halfa d,zen voices
in as many different keys.
"Why, havn't told you before that my
: cousin, Mabel Hazelet, spoke of coming here
: 10 attend school with US at Leroy Institute?
, have never seen her, but papa has, ;nd he
4 says | cannot help liking her. This is the
!? first letter | have received from her ; tits in
n answer to one | wrote some time sine, be-
d seeching her to come and be sister t, me.
g She speaks touchingly of her simple nome
IS far away in lovely Hazel Vale, and com,oses
{ very sweetly."
1t 'But tell US more about her." they ex-
h claimed as Helen folded the letter ant re-
Of sumed her seat, for she will soon beour
1t companion too."
d "You shall hear what know. Hermoher
sr was my fathers only sister. He loved heias
r, brother should, but she married and wnt
of many miles away to live, then my fater
er married and came here. Mabel had one brch-
I'd er older than herself, but he died, as did II
Il, her other brothers and sisters. Papa hs
r. been to see her once since the death of he
in parents; he says she is very much like hi
ze sister was when she was young. She is jusi
a. year younger than myself, and beautiful,
ad know, for her mothers miniature is divinely
no beautiful, and saw tear trembling in papa's
re eye when | told him it must be an angels
nd likeness. hope she will be pretty, at any
. rate, for am an awful worshipper at beauty's
ng shrine" she exclaimed, with a dash of mirth
res Say that again at your peril, ma bell
ed ami, said homely Fannie Fulton, who sat OF
nd the farther end of the sofa, in the shade o
nd the subdued light from lamp that stood OIL
th the marble-top table in front
let "Genius to me, is beautiful, Fannie dar
sss ling. ouwill be bright star in the literary
ne world and | shall be proud of you" Heller
i've said, as she bent over and tenderly kissed tn
I'd, white brow of plain Fannie FELTON,.
ere "Helen, have been sitting here watching
I've you, as you have been bestowing encomium
she on others, and long to give you description
'ok of yourself viii you permit me fair Ii
be- dy, and hold your peace p"
lt- ''As you will, Bell Landon; but be care
ave full that | may net have to give in fiatter.
net as part of your character"
ere "You are beautiful. Lovers ere long o
had the bended knee will vow eternal constanc
or to Beauty's peerless queen; fit emblem, mag
.lly nihcent brunette of midnight's star-gemmt
do, skies In vain I fear they will often ST
ith- for that tiny jewelled hand, which you wi
cry hold out to them, till numbered among yol
she admirers for fear you will be just lit
ain coquettish"
,ur- Bell"
she "Silence, rememberi You are intelligen
tof Men of learning will own the sway of Il
lble witty little goddess, and darts from tho
hly laughing black eyes will enchain many n
and L.e heart. Though little wilful, it may
an easily overlooked in your gentle, affectiona
iour and loving disposition, and happy indeed
will be who succeeds in winning your best
TN fections."
and After the little party had dispersed, Hell
the sat and thought of her cousin Mabefs CO
nm ing, then exclaimed half aloud "Oh, l Wi
card Charlie were here. He is always glad VIII
Iind Z anything pleases me, and would tell b
less how delighted | am, that as he is dt
that brother to me, so will she be loved sist
lany When he would laugh one of his cheerf
hole hearty laughs, that he always does wher
: to- call him dear and that nobody else
her Charlie, can laugh and say L will love Ma
WltI' for your sake Helen!"
Mn MN Charlie Ashton had indeed been almos
i.i,s brother to Helen Carleton Their fathers W
my th1 firm friends; they lived quite near togeth
ny snI and thus from childhood theirs had been
SUN ~, uninterrupted course of intimacy. Al
@u- childish sports were laid aside, Charlie Y
Imay .S her guide Whenever she chose to walk
= i"ps ride and until be left home for college Il
"a were almost constantly in each others socit
o nS oftentimes pursuing the same studies tog'
i;,.a Gi,a er, and Helen, year before, had wep'
i.he parting with him as if instead of few "
ea,iy bai5 they were to be separated forever. But
:. "em ear told him smilingly through her tears,
!, : e@I il was because he would come back SUI
- - VI. grown man, so learned and wise, and she
S uoniS ways should be afraid of such smart men
ather- r1,DTEp TIT
t was
sning, For the brief period of three years pei
.For me to throw light bridge across the gu
.ended time of time and again present to you
en- Carleton and Mabel Hazelet. 1t is
deep last session to be spent at school, and
l.. n air