Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-09-04
8gSeG<tt 2ll<ref#t<.
From the Southern Field and Firesidc.
TIL L BANISllED SON,
A TALE CT ALABAMA.
BY MARENGo.

a number Of years ago there stood ON
the banks of the romantic Alabama, a Quiet
and beautiful cottage. It's delicate portico
was all overhnng with vines, covered with
flowers that ladened the air with their
sweet perfume. In front, stretching to-.
ward the river, y cool grove, tastefufiv-
laid out In walks, and the sweet flowers
planted here and there at random. made
everything look cheerful and happy. The
very birds seemed to love to inger around.
and made the air merry with their songs.
but Notwithstanding the romance and
beauty that clung around this cottage, vet
ITS inmates were not happy. Their tale
was short and sad. Col Stafford had mar
rled in early life and moved to Alabama.
where he had accumulated a considerable
fortune. lie was, at the time our story
opens, the father OF two children, a boy
and girl Even in early life Col. Stat
iords high temper was the cause of very
great uneasiness to his friends, and now
this excitable disposition had brought great
trouble on himself and family. But
week before, bis son Robert, was at home,
happs boy but now he is an exiled out
cast. High words had passed between
Robert and Col. Stafford, and in the heat
OF passion the father Numbered in his
sons ear the words that exiled him for
ever The mother and sister plead with
the exaspcrated parent, and with tears
streaming down their cheeks prayed that
he would revoke his cruel command. but
all in vain,
"Depart forever from my home :" Yes,
these were the cruel words that in future
years that father would have given worlds
TO have had the power to recall. Bnt.
alas, too late, for on the very night after he
had uttered it, Robert bid his mother and
sister long farewell, and kissing away the
tears that streamed from their ewes, step
ped on board the boat that was to bear
him away from his native home. Twas
beautiful night as he sat upon the deck and
watched that fairy cottage now rapidly fa-
ding from his sight His thoughts frs.
turned upon the past. Here all was q sun
shine and flowers" " until within the last
twelve hours. He thought of his dear,
kind mother, who loved him so much, and
OF the many times she had sat in that
vine-covered portico and watched for his
return from school. His sister, too oh.
how he would miss her rich, silvery laugh
and tender kiss that had so often welcomed
him home. His father2 Yes, he still
loved him, Notwithstanding he had cruelty
banished him from his home and heart
But still another occupied his thoughts
that calm night. What would Ella think
OF him now how feel towards him?-
Would she still love him? "Ah !" he
murmured, 81 will never see my Ella again.
She Will soon forget me, and learn to love
another"
oh, cruel thought! He bowed his aching
head upon his hands and wept long and
bitterly. Presently he grew calm, and his
thoughts turned on the future. But all
was lackness and chaos. Not single
star OF hope was visible in that horizon to
bcckon him on. His father had placed in
his hands purse containing thousand
dollars, but directed, yea, commanded him
never in future to let him hear from him
either by message or letter. Bat we must
pass over details and go to the main points
of our history.
Roberts stay in the emporium of Ala
bama was short. He FASTENED on to New
Orleans, where he could drown his feelings
in one round of dissipation.
Five long years passed, and each day
Robert had sank deeper and deeper into
wretchedncss and vice. He had not du-
ring this time heard one word from home,
nor had they heard from him. Many
nights he had slept ir miserable alleys, and
longed for a crust of bread to satisfy his
hunger.
1t was in July, ls45, that Gen. TAYLOR
passed through New Orleans on lis way to
the Texan frontier. AS might be expected,
great excitement prevailed in the Cres-
cent city, and many volunteers Joined the
army. Among the first of these was Ro-
bert Stafford. Gen. Taylor after short
stay in the city, embarked with the ar
my, and landed on ST. Joseph's Island,
from which point he again embarked for
Corpus Christi, near the mouth of the
Nueces, aud there he established his head
quarters, September, ls45. Here again
Robert was plunged headlong into vice.
Ah, how different were his associates now
TO those of five years ago Now, instead
VI ulSHlN CulIiNdlCu duu SuuCdlSu IueU,
instead of father, mother and sister, he
had for companions the rude, uncultivated
soldiers Of the Army of Occupation"
But it is not to be supposed that he had
entirely forgotten his former position fol-
often, while indulging in some scheme o
wickedness, he would stop moment anc
shod tear for those who had loved him
Although Taylor subjected his army tc
the seyerest discipline during the winter
vet those who wished it Lad plenty o
time for licentiousness
The winter at length passed, and on the
sth Of March the camp was broken up al
Corpus Christi, and a portion of the army
proceeded to the Rio Grande, opposite
Matamoras, and another portion to Point
Isabel. The march towards Matamoras
was dreary one, and the army was often
threatened by Mexicans who thronged the
chapparai through which they passed.
But again we will leave off details, and
pass on to an event, glorious, yet bloody
Ae battle Of Palo Alto.
1t is the 9Th Of May, ls46. Gen. Tay-
w has heard the signal guns of Fort