Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-07-17
Raoles' department,
roR tue Spirit oF THE AGE.
L THRILLING STORY.
AN DER TRUE TALE OF LOVE.
by THE EDITRgss.

BY THE EDrTRgss.
Amid the romantic scenery Of the Ap-
peuine hi Is OF Western Moth Carolina.
there livei at the time our story begins, two
huilic', between whom there existed every
dissimllaiity, except that Of virtuous homes
~ and open-hearted generous hospitality.
The one prded itself upon noble ancestry,
princcly domain aud all the luxuries at
tended u2 N wealth. edlcattsn aud an oeva-
ted p ,sitiou In society; while the other
though poor, wus equally proud Of a con-
scious honesty Of principles, and the conf
dence and respect Of their more highly IA
yorcl neghbors
Upon lofty eminence, stood the elegant
mansion Of Mr.. Leroy with its parks and I
meadows its walks aud groves, and all that \
was calculated to charm the eye aud please
the taste Of is highly cultivated propric or.
Ills well title acres spread out in vast mag
nihsence upon tho table land around, lent /
an additional charm to the grandeur Of the
scenery which nature had emhellished With
It's proudest and most majestic handNork
la the contiguous valley quietly rested
unpretcnding homestead Of Mr.. Summerlield
one OF natures no1lemcn-a man Of strict
integrity. and though back woodsman"
IN the fullest sense Of that term, yet in no
mans heart iioAed more Of the mix oil hu-
man kindness, or who could more safely be
relied upon as tirm, unhnching friend.
Between these two families there existed
the strongest fienJshp, which finally RI
ptn5d int the closest intimacy. For though
the lDrdly retired merchant Of immense
wealth could count his worth by thousands
multiplied, and the honcst-hearted Sumner
field depended upon the mountain game and
his sm ~ patch Of ground for the support Of
his family, yet the farmer had learned lie
was a MN for a that" and hohored and
Clnided in him--aud when the merchant
princes Of Charleston would visit the luxu-
rious country seat of Leroy, whom he would
honor with sumptuous entertainments Sum
mer.icld was always an invited guest, and
shared the luXutics Of his munihcent ban
quets. And many thrilling story OF d4r-
ing adventure and har.breadth escapes, in
his encounters with the feIOciuus panther,
the subtitle bear and the wild, swoopng de-
scent OF the daring eagle, did he detail, to
the infinite qualification of his auditors
Between the female heads of these ami-
lies there also ex sted kind and friendly
intimacy. Mrs. Leroy, like her intelligent
and sensible husband, regarded not the
wealth and polish OF an individual as only the
true test Of excellence Of heart and charac-
ter--shc therefore esteemed Mrs Summer
field as one worthy Of her confidence and
respect, and cheerially recognized her as a
ueighbor and friend.
But as our story chiefly concerns others
younger than those we have yet mentioned,
we must hasten to its deH0uemeak
Ella was an only daughter of the Le-
Roys, and was but ten years old when her
parents, amply rewarded 10y industrious eff
torts, escaped from the miSGatc regions OF
Charleston and took up their residence al
their "mountain home in the sQlubrious
CLINE OF Western North Carplina-excclled
then, MS at the present time, 10y none on tn,
green earth, for It's magnificent scenery, fer
tile valleys, and intelligent, hospitable peo
pie
Betweca her and Charles Summerfeld,
few years her senior, and only son Of he
fathers nearest neighbor, very natural,
grew up a close intimacy and friendship.
Ella and Charles were frequent compan
ons-in her ramb'eS through the forest o
the mcadowy lawn, in search of flowers, h
was ever by her sidc--no wild honey-sucki
or ieSsamno cambeied so towelingfy an
ctugingly to the mountain crag but his dal
ing could reach it for his embryo lover =
Accustomed to the games of the ch sc wit
hIs father, he was daring, and successful
and many were the trophies he laid at he
feet the result Of his skill with the rifle
On oae occasion he succeeded in clpturin
without injury beautiful fawn, and wit
joyous heart he proceeded to present it [
her whose qualifications and happiness no
seemed 10 cngroSs every desire Of hls hear
Thus passed five happy, brief-ah! no
bIief-ycars; IN uudisturbed and undisturl
ing pleasure to these youthful tfieHdS-fC
only as such had they, in the innocence
their hearts. regarded each other At lengt
il was announced by her parents, that in
few weeks Ella must leave her quiet hon,
with all its romantic lovcliness bid adj,
l.. Il r.t IL g., L., IL.
month, to sntsr boarding school in tie i
terror al South Carolina.
on! with What sadness and sorrow WI
this unwelcoue intelligence received
Charles, and shall we not add, by Ella ais
Yes--boih sorowed-they had so long c
joyed cash others company, that they DO
ielt that TO be separated was indeed a miStc
tune TO be lamented.
During the few rem aing weeks that inte
vened previous to their departure, they we
more than usual together; and ere its ar
val, Charles Lad whispered his tale Of 10
into the gentle maiden's heart. lie ieinl
dcd her OF the many hours they had pass
together, pledged his undying affection {
her, and begged an expression OF rega
from her in return.
Ella flushed with maidan modesty, b
gave no response to the enthusiastic expires
ions Of love which flowed like stl cam
silver from the lips of Charles Summeriie
in vain be urged for one kind word arou
which his hopeSIaIEht linger and play d
ing her dreary dbsehce. But he urged
vain-she listened silently and bushing
60 his ardent pr9tes;ations of love, appareI
iy without awaking one responsive echo.
The evening Of the day previous to
departure If Ella from her paternal m nsi
at length arrived, and Charles, accompaIt
by his father and mother, paid them vi
10 bid her farewell That he might hi
an opportunity to whisper few words il
her ear privately, he ardently hoped;
as fortune ever iayois the brave, this "
was Cratiiled Availing himself of tenn
rary absence of the elderones from the roc
he threw himself upon his knees before
IDOL Of lis affection and importuned for
'ond token Of remembrAnce-one kind 81
~ promise to play like ray Of sunlight
I@ 'ae desert Of his heart after he had
hone. Ella, around whom cluster all
after" me and happiness here and h
said Ella S - mat SacarilegiouS word, Charl
V'c'ns her hand upon his. ll