Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-01-16


f. ank Clayton was a native of Florida
lie had studied Law ard it was to seek lo-
cation that he had Travelled to the pleasant
village of B, in western Virginia. Ills
father was once a wealthy merchant of Pen
sacola, but owing to heavy losses his bust
ness was almost shipwrecked-and he was
left with scarce suificiency 10 sustain him
from the wants Of life. b was the
capital of a county which then had been re-
Gently formed in the 'Old Dominion and
seemed to offer good situation to this fcl-
lower of Blackstone
He had stopped at the only hotel in the
place, and hoped he would like the village,
which was fast improving, well enough to
adopt it as his future home. 1t was the sec
ond morning alter his arrival, when walking
out quite early for recreation, he was seen by
uncle Tom, John Leroy's gaTdner.
Col. Leroy was one of the first inhabitants
Of B, and formerly a m, reliant; but
having amassed princely fortune, had re-
tired and built his villa where he wished to
be free from the busy hum of city life. And
| in the city too, he had buried the wife, the
/ vows of young manhood had won, together
with the only child that had ever blessed
their union, and consequently to avoid un-
pleasant meditations and to drown his deep
heartfelt grief, he had left just eight years
ago. the scenes which must inevitably have
brought up painful "reminiscences.
But Col. Leroy had married again. Not
year had elapsed since his union with Mrs.
Melville, a widow of forty, and the mother of
the brilliant and accomplished May.
Your village is quite a pleasant one,' said
Frank, addressing his host one evening after
tea.
Quite so, think. You seem to be stran-
ger in our place, sir. May l enquire your
nativity?
Florida is my native home, s'r, Pensacola,
Florida. | am seeking location to practice
Law
You have come to the right place, sir,
said his host enthusiastically. There is only
one lawyer in our town, and he is overwhem-
ed with business. | hope you will find il
both profitable and pleasant to remain with
us
! 1 will take the place On pIobation,' said
= Frank. 1T can only prove failure or delay
at most
G Yes, remain. Our young friends here in
tend to have grand May jubilee next week;
: you can extend your acquainta tance on that
e occasion, if you desire to do so. We gener
ally do up things right here, and my wore
e for it, twill be shanghai affair stay and b.
e present
II Frank Clayton, after retiring to his room
c that night, thus meditated Prospects are
d very tlattering If mine host was aware o
the fact, it would not take much persuasion
g to influence me to remain in B. | feel a
P home already. 1t is true my acquarntanc
l. is quite limited, but time will remedy tina
d inconvenience. hare got to do somethin
d in the acorld And by the benign help c
! | Mill akn IN
here, that the world shall acknowledge as be
!, ing worthy of success And Frank was 500
D in dreamland, with visions of sweet May Me
5 vile fitting through his brain and the UT
IS finished sentence of Annie Laurie ringn
n in his ears This was not all. Prolific Far
y cy pictured senate houses awed and charme
n by the power of his eloquence, and nation
n rendering homage to his name Sleep o
I'd young aSpirant! May fortune favor thee
" and may all thy fondest hopes be realized
n Day dawned again. The nocturnal croat
in ings of the night-hawk had ceased, and tn
ne whipporwil's mournful dirgos had died ava
y, in the distant forest vale. Frank arose, an
after hastily arranging his let, prepare
"a for n morning walk. He was soon near ii
de garden that be had not passed since that f
ne tai morning when he almost encountered tt
. lovely May. The sun was now just risin'
IL and he was strolling carelessly onward whe
at he overheard Tom say:-Yander, Missus-
nd wander he comes. Wonder if he'll get it
ne Frank had by this time arrived at the ga
ne den. and seeing beautiful bouquet of fowe
to affixed to the paling, he stepped to admi
i'd their loyeliness; the silvery dew was yet u
ne on them, and it was evident they had be
ril plucked that morning. \ plain blue ribb
confined them, to which was fastened pie
lg, of paper containing the following: To II
In STRANGRR-FRoM NJ. M
Frank, dare say, felt as much like fainti
ne as Belshazzar cid when he saw the ha
.= writing on the wall, yet he soon recover
: is his firmness, and 10! not more than ten I
ces from him, partially concealed by II
sa, shrubbery, stood May, the secret donor.
to pressed hi; finger TO his lipS-then bowl
an acceptance Of the cherished tribute, v
nrs soon gone.
Iii Il tell you what, MiSsus, he's one 'anso
, of man. said uncle Tom, as soon as Frank
lect departed.
''Iave you learned who he is, uncle To
uli- said May.
i Yes, Missusl Uncle Tom wanted to kn
him, and last night he goes up to de Ht
rter where all de gintlemen stops to 'qui.e 'b'
was him; ard Cicero told me, be was yot
and man Lawyer from way down Soul, ewin,
fell locate here. Lor', Miss May, I'm SO glad of
see why, uncle Tom, are you glad of it ?
sap Cause, Missus, me is, OATS all, ba b
ter But did you learn his name, uncle Tc
&c asked May
.bo VIC N;ce,,e tt;c Tlaytop n