Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-07-03
A Scene on the Mississippi.
By IsLA.


Ascene on the Mississippi.
By IsLA.
We were sassing out from the Ohio into
the bosom ohthe Mississippi For nearly
two miles We were kept in the calm waters
of the Belle RlSierc, but at length the supe-
riority of the father of rivers began 10
show itself, andthe green tinted waves Of
the Ohio were abaprbed in the mighty roll
ing flood, of whosadomain it would fam have
held IN copartnersaip. sat in the door of
my state-room, which opened upon the We
randall /; the folding doors that disided the
thss-.saiadss g - s--aeeys4spaSs sgsntg
were thrown back 4 Isrtv of gentlemen
we're discussing the recent Presidential elec
ton. Gradually the con hersation, from be-
ing pacific became irrita
hat is your opinifS demanded ore
Before the person addr ssee eouia -reDly.
the folding doors were rolled hastily togeth.
er; the thin guided pahea offered no OBJ
strnction to my hearing. "A gentleman-I
judged it was he to whom the question al
luded-arose. His manner, at first calm
dispassionate, as he proceeded grew louder,
deeper, and more unrestrained The boiste.
rous cadence of the rushing waters. the deem
breathing of the sea monster were unheard
! the human mind Iarose and opened silent
ly my door. With his.erms folded over his
heaving chest his voice swelling upslike or
ganc music, [ recognized in an instant the
great temperance lecturer of England. Rob
ert lngraham. | whispered in the ear Of
the man nearest me. Il passed from lip to
| lip, until, as he paused, with his arms cross.
| ed, shout rang out upon the stiffness as. a
night chime. An expression of deep sad
ness passed over the gave, earnest face of
the speaker.
My name he continued, "makes known
to you my mission; not to mingle in the
war of words, but forever to loose the bands
that fetter the eternal aspirations God hath
given man. Look at mel he exclaimed, ex-
tending his arms, " not in the prime of man
mood, not Ill the glow of enthusiastic youth,
but with the shadow of life's setting sun
resting upon my horizon. 1t is monrnful
thing, his voice lowered to rack the
memory oil the past; it brings to every one
its burden Of regret, its hour of sadness:
but few there be to whom it brings. .remorse
that neither years nor acts may wear away.'
He folded his arms his eyes burned with
a deeper lustre; his manner became strange
ly impressive.
twenty years ago. SAID ne, pointing with
his finger towards slender youth, 4 was
such as he God grant the comparison NAV
extend no fartherl Educated under the in
= Gcii;ts 10y II 20 cope1r the highest hon-
ors Gf collegiate career, | entered the Uni
versity Of Virginia. There my easy TEN
, perament my love of froic, my careless
expenditure, brought me in contact with
reckless set. At the clese Of the third ses-
sion was expelled Ny mother had in the
meanwhile died. Thank God, she was SPAR
ed from witnessing the after fate of her on
~ child Among the collegians was one
whose passive acknowledgment and yielding
I to my unguarded passions, had rounded his
destiny with mine. He invited me to visit
: his Southern home.
I q After a weeks leisure travelling we en-
: tered the family carriage which had Leen
e sent to meet US at one of the landings on
! this river. Never shall forget with what
/ feelings I neared that home! The sun was
d just setting, but halo of golden light quiv-
J cred over the stately oaks that lined either
side of the broad carriage way. As VIC
! neared the mansion, the exquisite fragrance
8 of exotic flowers borne on the light wind
. seemed TO me the baptism of welcome
It An abrupt turn brasklga rs in. fan view O
/ the house. A young girl stood within tht
e open door; she bounded forward with
3, glad cry, and sprang into the extended arms
y of her brother,
n "Annette," said he, kissing the full lip
IN and smiling tenderly, how we'll you look
re Then turning to me, and laying the small
OF hand in mine, "This is my friend assur
ne him of his welcome
eh aa ;" shall but have to repeat yours" sh
aC answered, drawing her hand from mine
The touch of the delicate fingers thrille
lu me. / stammered my acknowledgements
c. Ac yz,a1I- oH tbo llaI
IN lady robed in mourning passed hastily dow
re the steps. lie ran eagerly forward to mes
her, but [ SACKED my speed, for to me Ii
g. meeting Of mother and son was sacred
ID A young sister was peeping through Il
u trellised vines of the bay window. AS v
ca me up, my welcome was no less cordial.
ne | drew the little one from the vne-drapt
= window, and became by degrees interestt
en- in her infantile expressions
my visit extended to weeks, but when
eo spoke of going, anew tie awoke within IN
ne With all the fiery sFdoriof nature such
ne m;ne-I loved. One afternoon, as we rot
q; slowly along, my secret escaped. Wor
ed garnered from the lava of my being, flow
=, from my lips. When | paused, the bl
ith eyes looked timidly5 into mine; but an a
1t; mission such as this was unsatisfying to
the eXacting nature as my own.
~ Annette, eAclalheQ, SEEING the rel
and gazing down into the flushed face, is
en- so?
on You know it. she answered. Let me Q
yes loosehed the reins. Another. none
ne and was alone.
And this is woman's love, thought I. as
OF rode slowly toward the mansion a sile
eed admission, but TO strength, scarce rippli
and the silver current of her tones. That ng
hty I asked of the mother the hand of Annetl
lets Il shall be very proud of you as sol
nSl- she said in the course of her remarks ''t
you are both young. Annette must
TO more of the world
to The next nipht II vas en- arranged Il
ure We should spend the remainder of the S
!, as son at the Virginia Springs bat that at Chr
mas, in the old home, Annette should
nrs. mine. Within week we were registe
tue a. the White sglphne The gaiety, t
sent recklessness, and dissipation, added fuel
'out my sleeping passions. Fascinated by
'een manners, irsstigated BY my example,
ana an companion plunged into excesses that ou
ene vailed my own.
un- The mother abruptly brought our nigh
1hea revels to close by announcing her int
ana lion of leaving for New York. But in /
,tao- city We yeatured upon broader scale :;
mere were fascinated by the brilliancy and bea
ored of its gambling hells, whose velvet carr
sensuous pictures, layisa suppers, and c
q he ly wines had their due effect upon S
pale, te,nnpraments as ours. It was in vain
ddle mother urgeti our return. and Annette plea
y To- Zone morning unexpectedly met :