Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-08-07
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THE TWO Bird AIS:
A SIMPLE TALE OF TRUTH.

1t was the soft and balmy hour of twilight
and the season was the delightful mellow fall
Of Southern cline The small meeting
house of quiet, but thriving village of east
ern Georgia was brilliantly lighted and before
the altar stood two couple, whom the young
Bishop p. was about to unite in the holy
bonds of matrimony. The madens were sis
ters; and beautiful they looked, as each, ar
rayed in pure white, stood fondly leaning
upon the arm of her betrothed and with
trembling Joy pronounced the modest but firm
response II will" The elder was tall,
queenly- y-looking creature, with features of
iaultess beauty her black eye rivalling in its
splendor the brightness of the diamond and
we'll she suited, with all her loveliness, to stand
so proudly beside the stately form Of him who
chose her for his bride. The younger was of
medium size; the small head, with its wealth
of dark, luxuriant braids Just reaching to the
shoulder of the noble looking being at her
side, who with such manly pride so fondly
clasped the little hand within his own. In
outward appearance she was vastly inferior
TO her more favored sister. shade of mel
ancholy rested upon her countenance but
from out the liquid depths of her soft blue
eye there beamed an expression of loving
tenderness which, like sunlight upon dark
landscape, lent beauty and sweetness to the
whole.
The ceremony was ended !; the twain were
made one flesh and the solemn vows which
bound together loving hearts for veal or woe,
through life, had been witnessed on earth
and registered in the courts of heaven. Many
and warm were the congratulations showered
! upon the youthful pairs as down the aisle
they gided, and forth they went from the
alar's side to commence alike their welded
H., ELL Al, l.,,.o I al,
of joy just presented to their lips The flu
ture, how bright before them, over-arched as
it was by the rainbow Of hope, and how JOY
Gus, how delightful the PRESENT. No cloud
dimmed the distant horison: adfeaAttrv
checked the gushing fuliness of their bliss: !:
but replete with hope, and inspired with a
, thousand brilliant anticipations each bosom
: thrilled and glowed under its weight of emo
tions-emotions strange and pleasing in their
5 nature, but such as life can never give but
e once Alas for the stability Of human hope,
It and Joy and love; and how like fitful dream
p is the happiest existence Of poor frail NOR
e tality
n With the elder bride, the maiden Of such
= peerless, wonorous beauty, our tale is soon
. ended. The rosy cheek and sparkling eye
c told but too plainly that disease was gnawing
e at her vitals that consumption, insatiate
ucStIOIcI, udu hcu uCT 1OI NlCLlIl, dIll
N her days on earth were numbered. Every
d attention that affection could suggest o.
,e wealth command, was lavished upon her by
II the soIicitous husband, who, knowing he
- trail and delicate frame, nourished her as hi
- life, but without avail. Day by day the love
'e ly flower faded and dropped; and when th
u blossoms oftaree summers had come and gon
and stern winter covered the earth with
mantle of snow, they laid her quietly to rest
just in sight of the little church where sh
~ had so oyously plighted her bridal vows.
" How mysterious are the ways Of ProvG. nee
'e and passage strange the events that now an
then startle and disturb our lives Often
we see those who seemed to be possessed {
every blessing that can sweeten life and CHAIR
away sorrow, the current of whose eXistenC
glldes smoothly along, unruffled by car
snatched suddenly away; while others, froi
whose homes the sunlight of joy has depa
IN ted, whose hearts are bruised and broke'
ails and to whom life lis dreary blank, uncheere
see except by ray OF hope that oints to
at brighter future, are left to toll and battle c
tho through ceaseless rounds of care, uncheeret
oa, orsaken, and forgotten But in wisdom is
e'' all ordered by Him who is too good needles
en- ly TO afflict, and too wise to err.
ect Notwithstanding both sisters set out Wi
for skies as cloudless, and prospects equally
our fair, yet very unlike the elder was the opel
for ing future of the young bride. Possessed
, 81 an ardent, sensitive nature, and winni
% manner, she seemed being created only
''n- love, and be loved. With retiring modes
ter she shrank from the gaze of the crowd a
n OF in the beautiful language of an eloquent W
abb ter, "her heart like the evening primro
lent never opened until after sunset when
rae bloomed with all its sweetest fragrar
de- throughout the dark hours Of night"
.t, yearncd for something to love; some con
INC NAL spirit upon whom she could lavish wi
i 10 out reserve, all the deep affections of her
por- ture and when upon that quiet autum
hool eve she gave her hand with her heart il
tier to one whose image was enshrined in