Spirit of the age., 1860-11-07
T HE SISTERS.

II WAS HoWeT 8aTueH, WaleEeu ny
spring that bubbled up from yellow sands.
1t was flower garden. environed by
wall of dark grey stone, overshadowed with
vines and roses.
1t was flower garden standing in the
centre of wood, whose leaves blushed like
the rainbow, with the dyes of autumn.
| Yonosr rises the mansion, something be-
tween stately dwelling and quiet cottage
in appearance, you see it.steep roof, its gro
tesque chimneys, the porchpefore the door,
supported by oaken pillows wreathed with
vines.
A dear retreat, this Place of fragant beds,
and winding walks, of orchard trees heavy
with fruit, and flowers blooming into decay,
| trembling with perfume ere they die.
1t was that calm hous, when clouds hasten
to the west, and range themselves in the
path of the setting sum- as though anxious
20 receive the kiss of their Lord, ere he sank
to rest It was that beautiful moment,
when the tree tops like pyramids of gold,
and sky resembles dome of living fame,
with blush of glory peryading its cope,
from the zenith to the horizon. 1t was the
close of one of those delicious days in au-
tumn, when we love to bury ourselves in the
recesses of brown woods, and think Of the
friends that are gone when it is our calm
delight to wander through long vistas of
overarching trees, treading softly over the
sward, and give our souls to memories oflove,
or dwell sadly and yet tenderiy upon the
grave which awaits US, when the play of
life is over.
In the centre of the garden there grows
four apples trees, their gnarled limbs twin
ing together, while their fruit of various col
ors glowed in the rosy light. Beneath the
| j. A.
bench, formed with plain branches of oak
twisted in various fantastic forms was plac-
ed, presenting delightful retreat amid the
recesses of that rustic garden.
Just as you may have seen two flowers,
alike beautiful, yet contrasted in their style
of loveliness, swaying side by side in the
summer breeze, their varied tints affording 9
picture of never-ending freshness so two
beautiful girls bloomed side by side, in tha
quiet recess.
Their faces are turned toward the evening
light, as they feel the deep serenity of tha
hour One, delicate, fragile thing, will
skin almost supernaturally fair, eyes blue a
an Italian sky, hair like threaded gold, lay
her hand upon her sisters shoulder, an,
nestles gently to her side.
Young Alice A tender flower, that ha
just ripened from the bud, with the dew ye
fresh upon its petals.
The other, warm figure, ripened int
perfect womanhood, her breast rounded, he
small feet and hands in strong contrast wit
the blooming fullness of her shape. He
brown hair, that falls back from her whit
neck in glossy masses, es,-here, dark as rs
ven's wing, there, waving in bright chesnu
hues-affprds fresh beauty to, her boldl
chisseled face whose fps are red with matur
ripeness. Her deep grey eyes, the clearl
defined brow and impressive forehead, con
bine in an expression of intellectual beauty
, Womanly Mary A moss rose, bloomin
its last hour of freshness, its leaves crimson
ing with all the beauty they can ever know
On her full bosom the head of the young,
Sister was laid, among her brown tress,
the faxen locks Of her sister wandered lii
sunshine rays among twilight shadows.
1T is so sweet, at this still hour, Mary
think of him! 70 remember how he locke
and what he said when last we saw him
4 count the days, yes, the moments that mu
e elapse before he will return to us =
t Thus spoke the young sister, her eyes CLEAR
/ ing in moisture, but the elder felt her ia
n flush, and her eye brighten, as these wor
t came impetuously from her lips
e Blu. sweeter far Alice, to think no
1 proud, how noble he will look, when
e stands before us, SO like hero, with t
d star upon his breast, the warriors robe u
e on his form To think of him, not comil
back to us as he departed, an humble Cadt
k but titled General, welcomed by the fay
. of his king, the applause of his countrymel
a His last letters speak of his certain asce
r to fame. Even now, he is engaged>upor
y deed-whose nature he does not reveal-th
It will cause his name to burst in glory
s bis country's fame!
e Sisterly love-pure and child like-spo
o in the words of the first. Sisterly love, te
/, der yet impetuous with ambition, rung
l. the strong tones of the other.
e And Mother, O, how glad she will be
r We shall all feel so happy, and Z
s younger Sister started, for she heard sts
d With one assent, they turned their eyes a
beheld widowed woman with her silver h
II laid back from a mild and beaming face, col
l. slowly along the garden walk.
y, 1t was their Mother. They rose and gre
k ed her, and in their different ways, told tn
At young hopes and fears
She sat between them on the gard
s. bench each small hand on which were ma
s. ed the lines of time, laid upon daughte
d. head.
IS How strange. it is, that we have had
- letters for month Not word from VI
in brother, my children! Perhaps, since
S. have retired to the quiet cottage, near a
is cluded colntry town, the letters miss US
ne Come, girls-it is pleasant evening, let
= walk in the woods 2
IL Taking their soft hands within her o,
is the Mother beside her daughters, looked
rn beautiful flower whose. young freshn
ne has been but family preserved in the lea
mt of Times volume, contrasted with the yol
v, loveliness of ungathered bl .ssoms
to She led the way toward the garden g
nc Along this narrow path where the thic
ar stored with berries blooms in evergr
nd freshness into the dim woods, where ther
ks carpet of soft moss, filled with sunsh
he and shadows.
lat They strolled along, the younger si
nut now STOPPING to pluck wild flower as
at as herself the other talking earnestly to
mother of the absent Soldier.
Don't you remember, Mother, hoy
month ago, when we were working togetl
at our embroidery, l thought | heard
ge brothers step, and went to the door to G
ad, him? am sure heard his step, and
ri it was all a fancy ?'
po- AS the Sister Alice spoke, in tone fu
nd laughing gaiety, Mary changed color
Ter leaned upon her mothers shoulder,
ion breast throbbing violently against her
the habit.
nd The mother looked upon her with unfe
ed alarm:
You are i'll, Mary, and yet the ever
air IS by no means unpleasant she said
cry 1t was the second of 0ctober!' she "