The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-07-24
For the bonth- " estern.
The Lovers Return,

for the high position they held in the esteem of the
people of the neghborhood in which they lived John
early imbibed the noble heightened principles of his
parents. His mother died whe he was the age of hir
years. his father the year following leaving hand
some little fortune all to him. Young WentwOrths
father appointed James Bedoin, Johns uncle his guar
dan and left his property under his control for his
benefit He could not have left his in better hands
Bedoin being man of noble principles had the high
est regard and esteem for the talents and amabe dis
position Of young Wentworth. Indeed he was proud
of his nephew He was to him as one of his own chill
dren. He spared pains in endeayoring to give him
a complete education.
Young Wentworth was rather tall in stature of slen
der form, and handsome. He was possessed of truly
tender kind and obging heart: his temperament was
ardent and propious. He completed his education in
university of Alabama, with high honor in his eigh
tecnth year.
was the only child Of Thomas and Mary Prest. Her
father died while she was in her twelfth wear leaving
widow and his only daughter behind Though Mr.
Prest had but very moderate estate, he had deter
mined giving his daughter thorough education After
her fathers death the direction of her studies given
uncle her mother particular frendandc
She completed her studies in high institute of Mis-
sissppi with credit at the early re OF fifteen Laura
was not what might be termed perfect beauty but she
was beautiful. She was of medium size and of sym
metrical fgure with regular features high forehead
dark auburn hair, light blue eyes, very fair skin with
deep rose tints glowing upon her cheek Calm, serious
thought, combined with cheerfulness auiabity and
sprghtulness written upon her features She
much the picture of her reyered esteemed mother in
all respects except her more finished education Pos
sessing the highest qualities of mind and kind, afec
tionate heart Laura admired and respected by all
her associates. John Wentworth bad formed her
quainance after leaving school, and year prey
Gus to his departure for the Mexican He had Sc
dulously cultivated it, until the wamest affection had
sprung up between them She had become the idol Of
bis heart, he OF hers. The proposed match was
postponed through the advise of his and her unces
years when Laura would be eighteen, and John twenty
years Of age. This thought advisable as John
could not have control Of bis property before that time.
Wentworth persisted with his and her uncle that
TOO hard to be off years; but they would yied
they determined in their conclusion that the match
should be postponed Young Wentworth concludedto to
spend year OF the interval between his and Laura i'll
tended union, in the Mexican war His uncle did not
oppose his going He consequently enlisted with an
Older relative OF his, in the United States service But
as the time for his departure approached he almost
wished he had not enlsted:to back weakness;
to part with Laura was like drawing his heat
Heinormcd his betrothed of parting hourhe wished
TO spend with her The day came. II in the month
Of March Laura met him in her usual social pleasant
manner, but her manner and appearance did not mirror
her feelings; her heart sad. Wentworth endcuv-
ored TO be gay and social but the weight OF grief
pressed too heavily upon him The hour indeed sad;
but twas sweet
w Hcu IilC parting moment came Laura al
quest, played him farewell upon her piano. and as
he rose to bid her adieu kissing her hand Laura whose
sense OF propriety and modesy had made her cir
cuInSpec OF showing her deep, sincere attachment
Wentworth could not conceal her grief The tears
suused her lovely tace:-John in turn wept:-The part
mg words oil each werc may heaven preserve YOU Time
passed ona few weeks and Wenworih had crossed the
gulf, and was landed in Mexico
though now, strange, magnificent and varied were
the scenes nc saw he did not forget his Laura. Amid
the many scenes OF death aud suffering around him her
bright image frequently before him. he wished often
and heartily that he was by her side He often wrote
to her, but as he was shifting his situation he could
receive 10 tidiDgs in return.
| will hurry my sketcl-thc period of Wentworth's
enlistment had nearly expired As he would think OF
IT. on how his glad heart would bound with JOY at tue
thought of his returning home. He proud of the
experience and information lie had gained during his
solourn from home He often thought of the merry
tales OF the war, and the scenes he had Witnessed that
he would tell his uncle and his dear Laura
Time passed rapidly. It was in the month of April
AS the stout old boat showed of the of war dis
ressed Mexico, with John Wentworth and his relative
on board, John cast last look at the busting crowd
on shore and heard the distant songs of sweet birds
but one thought filed his breast his only happy country
his home, his Laura.
The winds propitious the period taken to cross
the gulf brief-more brief to John Wentworth per
haps than any one on board Pleasant dreams sweet
ened his sleep Of nights
lie passcd the days pretty much in aotudc rusing
over the past, and anticipating the future He unused
over his old home pleasures what he had seen Mexico
and the bright gull scene spread out before him When
the would begin rise; aud the breakers foam
sparkle around him, he often thought Of Byron but
only to contrast the wrcchedness of that great man
with the happy state of his own mind. lie sometimes
thought Of his comrades who had fallen in battle which
would cast momentary Shade his happiness But
his own bright hopes booming up continually before his
mental vision Slut out generally every other feeling
from his breast but sensation Of wild delight 4 few
weeks; and John orth in few hours ride of
home Having learned that his uncle was not at home
he made for the residence Of his Lauras uncle OH
how his glad heart bounded withiov he came in view
of the place of his destination. The handsome
COTTAGE the pretty grove ntront the same lovely
flower yard, they had not changed only new charm
seemed to be thrown about them.
Upon entering the hot Sc John met an old acuuain-
tanee and friend of whom, atera happy salute had
passed he enQured for the uncle ald aunt of his Laura
They had gone visiting soHe distance, and would not
be home till the morrow. He next inquired about Laura
She dead; had died several moths previous Ali
bitter, bitter the news fell upon tie Heart of John Went
worth Never did sorrow tread more heavily upon the
heels Of JOY. Wentworth was almost paraly lysed with
the he had received he could lot weep his
was too deep
II noou his friend promised to take him
after dinner to see the grave of Laura After few
dull hours passed, John Wentworth and his friend
Nav the soft breeze scarce moved tie thick foliage OF
the deep green wood the rosy tinted clouds we're
ing slowly the blue sky above if dreaming Of
the beauty of the earth beneah the bamy air seemed
unusually fragrant with the perfume of flowers;
the itnpcd stream ripped along cear over the white
pebbles that it impressed the mind first view with
thoughts of purity aud holiness while now and then
along its banks, the lilly reared its head in meek love
neSs in every vineclad BUSH numerous bees were hum
ming, and sucking the delicious honey from the flowers
the emhowered wood rung with the melody of the song
sters; all nature seemed unusually Glm gay lovely and
serene while the lovely notes of tie ring dove fell with
doleul melancholy cadence from the distance upon the
heart of Wentworth to whom that lovely wood in time
past had been place of frequent resort and pleasure
After winding bis way through many delightful yales,
and pleasant groves, wEaPt in thought and almost un
conscious of the bright happy scene around him. and
Of the presence Of his friend he reached the grave of
Laura his beloved. 1t was by thesde of her fathers
Her tombstone bore the simple inscription sleep on i"
ah said Wentworth while the big tears rickled down
his manly face: Innocence and beauty the noble and
good, is buried there.
No More CoRSs-Therc is no doubt some quackery |
in the doctors trade but there is more ignorance
For the benefit Of both him and his patients we will I
now disclose secret which will relieve humanity from
misery not the less difficult to bear than il is uIn