Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-05-02
AM E.
By LIMA LEE.


w WNAO " hdNN q HA0LA " 0~Je ~ -
conveyance in Evergreen, from Deacon Hol- "a
worth's carriage down to the one horse wagon II
Of the poorest farmer, were engaged; and we u
were all to spend the day by the river, a mile e
two from the village. Amy and | rode u
horseback, with Mr.. Graves and Mr.. Hartman a
for company. Wcstarted a little in advance OF o
the rest, as we had constituted ourselves a a
committee of arrangements. The day was c
beautiful: not q cloud was in view in the blue v
heavens, and we were full Of glee, riding along Il
merrily. Not far from the village-how, s
know not-Amy's horse became suddenly
frightened. He made one leap, and in anoth- a
er moment he was galloping down the road at $
a fearful rate, Arthur and Mr.. Graves follow {
ing. A chasm was just before her. If the
frightened horse did not turn, death was sure.
| knew it, but could do nothing but offer a
prayer for her safety. On they swept, but
just as the horse with his precious burden
was about to leap over the precipice down,
down into the chasm, Arthur Hartman caught
the bride and turned the affrighted animal;
and, lifting Amy from the saddle as if she had
been an infant, he murmured thanks that he
had saved her from an awful death. Mr..
Graves was with them before Amy was on
the ground Wringing Arthur's hand he
said-"Noble friend, never, never can l be
sufficiently grateful for what you have done"
He turned way silently, and mounting his
horse he came back for me.
''She is saved" he said before / could ask.
,-o,, cavsd her: auSseplied earnestly .and
was the fastest horse. How grateful L am 10
Won for having saved my dearest
He did not answer, and we rode on IN silence.
Amy and eur teacher were already at the
river. They were talking low ana earnestly.
saw n shade of pain pass over Arthurs
face and he said-"Not yet Miss Susan. Let
ns not disturb them now !" and we wandered
on and finally seated ourselves beside a tree ;
and there he told tne again of his blasted
hopes: of how he neverexpected to seek the
love of woman for Amy was his first love,
and she should be his last. begged him tG
remember that he was Ioung, that he might
). find many others as god, as beautiful al
!, Amy: and then l told him how lonely h
: would be without some 91e to love him, som
9 one with whom he NIGH share his joys an
' sorrows- NJ,
soon the rest of the company arrived. Tha
: was a long remembered day ,Lizzie. Sue
DAVIS do come in every life, Vay-marks, d
= recting our wandering memory back throug
S long years, to little bright, slAshiny spot
we might otherwise forget; and also to max
us remember sorrows, and prot by them.-
v Twas ON that day Amy's strn, dignife
m teacher told his favorite schoi8 OF his 10y
Or for her of his hope that she would give nj
ho the right, with his fond heart, to bear M
life-sorrows-to share her joys, and love NJ
ls always.
aus l think she must have been surprised; b'
b hi ahswer was a simple affirmative-aY
the Win q Slight flush on her pure white ia
sne suffered him to murmur fond loving wor
ia her. ear-such as Arthur, too, would ha
10 Delighted to speak. 1t was strange. | thong
his 1t; and all others SGidso, but strange thing
Md you know, do happen. Well, this was al
:. the day l first saw the one to whom yea
ar after | gave my hand and heart-a pale me,
'ur cai misunderstanding, yet very noble, al
with powers of physical endurance 4spassi
strange" Many deride love at frst sig]
Lizz,e, buti know it possible. From the n
o- ment first saw DR.. Howard. | bowed hi,
mt net as 4 did in after years, when Igonew h,
good and true he was yet it was| kOye-tr
and sincere, though of course none ever 81
pected 1t; and years after that, I srqrew II
ey many were surprised that l did net maj
as Our rninistOr that young, handsome.
ur Hartman SO little does the world know
the histories of those who move amid its g
'rs scenes. l guess you have heard it, Liz
Tor that our ~grey-haired minister once loved
An old woman now-once light-hearted a
free as you are this glorious spring day.
never tried to correct the impression tn,
for Arthur's sake. He was always nv tt
l. and faithful friend.
d "Of all those who lived then around t
little church, he and | Eare left alone.
Like the last leaves Of the forest, we too v
soon fall Perhaps he dreams of the ps
sometimes. If he does, I know the fair
picture on memory's page is that of Amy
E. beloved and "passed away" We seld
speak of her now. Her memory, though
still green in our hearts-and he is conte
A. l know the fountain from whence his hal
ness flows. 1t is pure, never failing and e
nal. 1t is the love of God, Lizzie. But
not think this calm came to his soul with
seeking and striving Cor it.
A. Months passed by; bright, happy mon
to Amy and | and to our teacher; but
until all is revealed that time has hidden,
A. any know how those months were spent
=. Arthur HARTMAN, in his lonely study at
ergreen Parsonage. Like gOld purified
the fire, he came forth from the trial, strC
er, purer than before. All saw that. day
~ day earth ioosened her claims ON his sou
The process they did not see. Heaven Sc
ed nearer to earth when he was present: Il
none could tell. They knew nothing Of
calm after the storm Of earthly passion
I'm pure calm of entire conservation But
need ! linger longer over the friends of
youth. or why pursue their history fartt
WIFI heal the wounds of the heart, or tt
a lesson to the liyingY
eyes, yes, aunt Susy, it will teach me
ainf source Of true happiness, when earthly h
are blasted, and make me remember tina
have their own peculiar trials and sh,
H. bear them bravely, as or good minister
done. Don't stop now; tell me of 4
,r Wayne; of Mr. Hartman and all"
J. II am tired now, Lizzie; tomorrow a
~ noon will finish my story. 1t is not Il
and now leave me-"
Iretired, to my room and left my old fr
TT. bringing from the silent past bright Wis
by memory's power to cheer her loneli
and beguile her weary hours.
syes- CHAPTER Ii.
II stand by the river where both of us stood,
And there Ia but one shadow to darken the flood
And the path leading to it where each used to d
- Has the step of bat one to take dew from the ga