Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-08-21


lnonially. inclined, the opportunitS was not
to be overlooked, nor the genesbus cffer
sighted; therefore, | gladly accepted;
and early the following morninglwe were
bound for Strawberry Plains, Chattanooga,
/ and Nashville. Having arrived 1t the lat
ter place, We dined at the Sewahee,' = and
an hour after were seated in Tie Colum-
bus stage enroate for the resiAeAce Of Mr..
Leonard, nv companion. Jnst-is the sun
was setting in blaze of glory, Ee arriv-
ed at the county-seat of "Old Naury"--
the garden-spot Of America-aaa found
carriage il assSetins TO convey lis to Glen
Cottage, but few miles distant
'Neyer-shall forget thasfcvening Of
| sunshine and beauty TIE serirEson and 5
purple tints faded in loveliest beauty, leay-
ing 4 halo of magic delusion Whare disap-
J peared the day god in golden sea One
] by enc the star jewels we're set il the brow
OF night By the ebon goddess, and the ceru~
lean canopy flashed forth thousand sill
yer rays OF sparkling light. Tie air was
redolent with sweetest fragrance from
mYriads Of vale blushing flowers. Each
zephyr, magnolia born, passed softly by af-
ter kissing the cheek Of rosy hue, and
wantonly tossing of siIkeR locks
Tie clock struck eight as We neared
the cottaga through a fairy arch Of inter
woven cedar beughs.
/" Mr.. Leonard was met by his loving
wife with all the ardor of an affectionate
andtr6sting heart
II received an introduction in due form,
and was cordially welcomed as a friend
from Maryland
{ At the door stood dark eyed beau
ty of eighteen summers, to welcome one
who seemed to her-little less than an idol
for such a wildness Of JOY hid never
witnessed before at reunion of separated
! hearts. In moment, Mr.. Leonard was
reminded of my presence, and after soli-
\ citing pardon for delay, said:
Ny daughter Fannie, Mr.. Montague"
She turned toward me with a pleas
ant recognition; and strange to tel, felt
that instantth powerengendered in / single
smile.
Supper dispatched, we en- psasse en-
tered the coziest of parlors, where Taste
was queen, and Beauty vivid, glowing
reality Paintings adorned the walls
statnes, the inches; vases, the maltels;
books and flowers the comfortable; while
an wellstrung grand piaao occnpieda dark
corner at the farth69 end of the room.
The chandelier, with its thousand glass
, pendants, Immediately she'd q flood Of
: brightness on all around.
Fannie took seat at the piano, and
running her fingers over the pearly Keys
4 with the confidence OF a proficient, await
ed the call of her auditors. A selection
Of favorite air was made by the mother,
a the music of which Miss Fannie requested
4 me to turn. That did it with trembling
hands and palpitating heart, yon may weh
r suppose; for | felt that angelic presence
i. woman sometimes inspires, when innocence
e and beauty vie with each other for the
e loye-garland and wand Of submission.
b "That evening, and a dozen more pass
the hospitalities of home, such as are
k only found in the South, and freely prof
n fered without reference to reward
o THAT Fannie was favorite, and al
il ready shrine at which Devotion was do
d ing homage, my heart continually protest,
T. ed although the lips not then would
e ayow. And as we daily strolled Ger The
y emerald lawn, and at twilight frequenteC
it the sylvan bower to chase the fitting sun
e, beams light, and echoes wake in fowers
le vale, could read 10 tell tale bushes agol
) ume of love-the knowledge of whicl
o thrilled my heart>strings, tilb like spirit
lutte, they discoursed sweet music for th
at ear of sadness.
IN "The time for departure at length drey
'; near, and resolved to know my fate
10 twas the evening previous to bidding fare
II well the night was beautifully moonli
in the walk delightful. A seat was selecte
I'd in the ccAtre the bowef. and the word
tn trembingly uttered. A mqmentary silenc
prevailed, during which imagined N
p heart ceased beating for at no time has
ly experienced such a period of dreadfl
le, anxiety.
Id "My fears were i'll founded however, ft
w in words of tenderness she breathed lar
! guage that made me perfectly happy, an
ng caused life to appear a pleasing reality.
"The following autumn was mentione
till as the time ofunion, and oh how dista
es, that period seemed as slowly month aft
Z tUCutn iQiiCu III III hdHuOIID
through the various States. August -four
* me at Newport in world Of excitemen
all The first hop of the season was given
am the 'Atlantic,' where was stopping Il
!, | attendance was large the bellies magnif
,e- Gently attired-all went "Gerry as a mai
in rage bell" and the hours flew onward vii
on rapid fight. Unfortunately had re
ceived an introduction to Mrs. Graysc
III OF Boston, young, fascinating, and wealth
lad "a widow, too, which gave her doub
h a assurance of being able to win whom 81
ar saw fit to favor Fate, pr the gods, will
md that should prove an attraction, and
tell charmed by her musica voice and Jud
for fsmiles Every attention was paid n
that desired to be theobiect Of a widow
affection but from a love of rivalry that /
yar, from infancy been prominent in my chars
tic ter. A score of admirers would have co
len, strued the slightest recognition into
sers honor of magnitude.
i'm IAN invitation to accompany her to \
the hant was good -natnredlg accepted, hopi
,tn- thereby to get rid of temptation that v
daily becoming more dangerous to my
that mediate interests. The trip was take
nth. and on the closing-of the second da
ain found to my sorrow, that | was yict
Ten of coquetry--to be cast aside at will, {
I hinr