Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-09-11
8zseteet @t3eref~s<.
From the Darlington southerner.
G RAY GRAN VILE.
A TEMPERANCE STORY.
BY EssfE b. cHEEsBoRoUGH.

BY EssfE b. CHEEsBoRoUGH
The house number "a in the street, call |
cd Carlisle, was closed long streamer
OF black Grape hung from the door, beto-
keninga death within The curious neigh |
bors peered out Of their windows TO catch |
glimpse Of the coffin as it was carried /
into the house, and to see who rang at the
bell, and if any one came out wipiDg their
eyes.
All day Mrs. Bland, who lived in the
mansion opposite, bad amused herself by
keeping a watch from behind the green
shutters on the movements at the house of
the dead; and she now gave the well
comeintelligencet that the hearso had Gomez
then the rest Of the family, large and
small Blands rushed TO the windows, the
shutters we're flung wide open, and the
Bland family generally were all in a state
Of readiness and excitement to witness the
melancholy cortege az it moved off
The coffin with its silver mouutings,
was placed in the elaboratcly plumed
hearse; then the inmates Of the house
came slowly out 'one, two, three Mrs
Bland tried to count them, but she soon
lost count, they were too many, but she
had one consolation, she could tell how
many carriages were there and as the
vehicles formed line after the hearse, Mrs
Bland had the satisfaction of announcing
that there were forty carriages, phaetons,
buggies, &C., in the procession
But, lor ! she exclaimed, mot a lady
ut the funeral what dismal affair; so
much for never getting married old bach
elors can't expect to have any female
mourners at their funerals
They can have their sisters, or their
mothers, or their auuts,' growled out Mr..
Bland, wives are not the only women in
creation
Il wonder why he never married. said
Mrs. Bland, as she watched the mourners
with their long black bands, get by fours
into the carriages.
'Who ? asked Mr. Bland, 'the driver of
the hearso 2
The driver Of the hearse, lor, DO what
are you thinking of? mean the corpse
Il did not know corpses ever got married.
said Mr.. Bland.
But he was not always a corpse, was
he? David you are very provoking
man
well, ] am sure l don't know why be
never got married. responded Mr. Bland,
ANY more than | can tell why other men
do get married
Mrs. Bland kept speculatng on the rea :
sous of the deceased gentleman for never
marrying, until the funeral procession was
out Of sight, then sue closed the shutters,
aud sat down to wonder who would be the
fortunate possessor Of Mr.. Gray Gianvile's
fortune.
That night the friend aud nephew of the
departed sat in his late home around the
table, on which stood few decanters and
they too speculatcd on the reason why Mr.
Gray Granville had never married
Il remember said the nephew, once
asking him the question he told me tha
| would fud an answer in the private draw
er Of his cabinet, aud that must open th,
packoge after his death He said to me
Il leave it not to satisfy idle curiosity, bu
~ warning.''
Lee us read it now then said the friend
The nephew aSsented, aud after exploring
the recesses of the cabinet, he took from
thence small package, andsopeuiug it
read
Blanche Peela was seventeen to. day
this was her birth night ball it shou!'
have been a happy time to her, beautiful
aud beloved as she is, but | saw the tear
in her dark eyes, heard her heavy sigh
as she danced and tried to look gay.
whispered TO her as we stood side by side
'wnat ails you Blanche the shadow O
some unhappy thought darkcns your brow
She spoke not, but | followed the di
rcction Of her gazelle like eyes what sa,
| ? her father trying to steady himself b
the arm Of the sofa; his silly eountenanc
aed red eyes telling the tale of his degra
dation, as plainly as words could haV
done.
1T is dreadful murmured
'Ah, you know not how dreadful it rea
ly s,' she replied, her bosom heavlng wit
suppressed emotion. That is indeed
cursed home where the demon of drin
has entered am mortified, distressed
the parent | should reverence, l. b.
come with me into the piazza ! am t,
utterly wretched here amid all this fe'
tiyity'
We went into the piazza she tAre
berself on chair, and gave veut to h
suppress sed feelings in violent burst
tears, so violent that it was fearful to wi
ness
Suddenly she became calm; there no
she said, 1T is over, shall not weep aga
to night. o, Gray, have everything
the world to make me happy-wealt
health, friends but this misery pier
me to the very soul with goad'ug, tor
ring grief. When other girls speak prof
" Of their fathers, think of mine, an,
feel as if could call upon the very mot
rains to coser me iu my shame and
spar.'
felt as it | could have throwp my ar
around her, and comforted her wild grl
Poor girl what a sorry spectacle for
birth night bal--a drunken father.
NO woman she Continued, 'can posi-
know the bitter misery Of this cup vi
in their own homes, they are called W
to drink it; but she added sadly,
can even turn the sorrows of life TO
count, this has not been without its US
" has learned me the lesson meyer to N