Spirit of the age., 1861-06-26

with love like glances, from the shadow {
shergbroad hat. For a moment he came yer
near losing his equilibrium, ahd felt that b
was beginning to blush, when he caught
partial glimpse of a fair Madona-like face
just behind Miss Araminta It acted like
charm upon him-that magic-like presenc
and he turned his eyes upon the old min
lster, with love beaming N their depths. Ii
ielt better and purer than he had ever fel
before. Every thing looked bright and beau
tlful, without and within. Could it be loy.
that had imparted to every Object its magic
spell? An yes he felt thatit wqs-bu
then a great wave came surging. up in hi.
heart
She can never love me-my. mother onl,
loved me-she is in Heaven
10 was great effort to keep his thoughts
from that beautiful, haunting face during the
discourse; and when service was over. he
tired very hard TO get one more glance. but
failed, and returned home feeling that he
vas deeply and hopelessly in love.
Some kind fairy seemed to be working
Tor him, however, for that very evening he
Was called to Col. Ashtons 4 little bro
ther Of Eya'S was sick, and his services were
required. For the first time, he saw the
gay, fashionably attired belle transformed in
to the gentle, loving woman of the sick room.
lie saw her bathing, with tender hand, the
burning brow, heard her low murmurings OF
love, and then he felt that if any woman
could tli his whole heart it was Eva Ashton.
Days passed, and his restraint, with con-
slant intercourse, was gradually wearing
away Eva was gay and agreeable, and he
began I'd entertain strong notions of asking
her to marry lie had nevor proposed to a
woman in all his life-it would hardly XIII
him if she did refuse, though he verify be-
ieved it would
With such thoughts one day running thro'
his head, he ordered his horse and cailooed
OIL, much to the surprise" of Ike and per-
hapS to Big Black, for the Doctor was never
known 10 go out of trot Eva was alone
IN the parlour, and as his business was with
her, and no other he, without circumlocu-
toa, just came straight to the point He
did not fall upon his knees, and roll bis ewes
Ike some infatuated lovers might have done
but, like sensible man that he was asked
her fatty ii she would marry him. For a
lew seconds he was so astonished at his au-
daclty, that he could not venture to look into
her face. When he did SO, at length. his
heart leaped. Those beautiful eyes were
liked upon him, and gistening in tears. She
loved hlm-he could not mistake that
look-so loving SO trusting. He elapsed
the soIt Whlte hand in his, AMI murmured,
IN voice trcmulous with emotion:
SOD bless You, Eva! Can you-will you,
indeed, 1oEsia INV orthy ?
1t would perhaes BE int .rfering too far to
repeat all the little tender words used bv tbe
Doetoree that auspicious evening. Suffice
bacK WIN 4 sr1crt1t1cr rrre rc,rrv,
choly years That had passed since his moth
er's death.
At ten that night when he reached home,
he found Alse and Ike still up waiting for
him. He called them in, and told them his
important secret He could see no use IN
keeping such glorious news to himself-he
would have told it to any person that chanc-
ed to fall in his way, friend or stranger
The next morning Alse had to return some
borrowed al lticle to Miss Araminta, and hav-
ing an old grudge to settle with that lady,
she gladly ayailed herself Of the opportu
nifty.
She found Miss Araminta alone and JUS
finishing very f1ashy merino, which sht
held up to the negro's admiring eyes as sh'
entered.
"see here, Alse, don't you think that'l
take the shine off of every one at meeting
next Sunday?"
"Why, IA! yes, Miss Minta--its raal butt
ful-and it'll be the very thing to wear owe
to our house, bout three weeks from now.
whats to be done at your house? ?
"Well, you see, Mss Minta- bein' il
yoo, Tll tell you-massa gwine to marry" :"
The merino was thrown upon the bed yer
quickly.
You don't tell me, Alse, that the ol
doctor is going to marry that young scho
miss
The negro assented.
ALAS !"-this time Miss Araninta's vol
was very solemn and full of meaning
you'll rue the day in dust and ashes th
she comes there. They do say she's tt
hgh,st tempered thing in the world, ar
just whips the little niggcrs to hear 'em CT
You've been good industrious negro, al
if he'd married some one that you kno
right we'll, and knows all about your ways, yo
last DAYS would have been happy-but as
is, you'll be on the far side Of the Mississip
in two months"
Alse looked very solemn while Miss Al
minta was speaking, until she came to t
last part Of the sentence.
, "Not while Massa lives, will L ever be
the back part of the Massasip-he too go
, a man for that and as for Miss Eva, ID
says--you know Dick is the Col. carrla
u
est angel that lives, and hope, Miss Min
! when she does come to our house, yot
+ come bver and see for yourself, how we g
:. along"
! The negro was scarcely prepared for
q storm that was to follow. "Come over
= your house--I reckon | will come over
q your house-you want me to fix MEX mac
% and pretty things for that old stick of u
d tor and his young wife-you o.d Atflcai
< haw dare you"
Miss Araminta had a very sharp pal
le scissors in her hand, and as Alse didn't kI
n what direction they might be sent, she
- ried out of the house, crossed the road,
- ran putting into the Kitchen, where she C;
w very near upsetting Ike, who Was con
en- out
:. Good grashus, Alse, watts the matte
~ "Don't ak me yit, Ike lem me git bl
er- "You seed q goose, Alse?"
pe oNo. Miss Mlnta's famin mad; S
zoe 'stracted-think Massa marry her --olt
yer Methusalcrm
he Alse didn't venture to tell her mast
her visit to Miss Araminta's, but busted
me- self in making prepartion for the wed
not dinner For whole weeks before the b
VAS day arrived there was perfect storm OF
at beating in the kitchen; even Ike was
civ On stool, with a long white apror
/. pounding away until he said he hac
zorro 'rheumatics' in his right shoulder.
him The day at length arrived, brghtand
tifll as the light hearted bridegroom
!, have wished. Miss Araminta closed the
and door very early, and ensconced hrself
=, ,s1cxx taia rbarQ fhrntloh a