Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-12-01


toxicating cup. The blow was too much
for her frail constitution, and for many
weeks she has been confined to the sick
chamber, where she seemed lingering on
the confines of eternity. ... se
But no letters from her faithless lover
advised of his whereabouts, either to Cecil
or his Richmond lady betrothed. Both
had begun to mourn him among the slain
at the fearful carnage of South Mountain.
After many weeks of dissipation and
prohigacy-bloated so as scarcely to be
recognized-a drained purse forced him
to return to the army. But on reaching
his Company, he found that his conduct
was we'll known. He was broken of his
commission and banished from the army
in disgrace. q
We will not follow this recreant Son Of
Mars through the wild course of folly that
ensued. Let US visit the invalid chamber
Of Cecil Clare in her far-off mountain
home In North Carolina, months after he
has disappeared from the ranks of the
gallant defenders of his country.
AS we enter We can but ask, who is this
that is smoothing back the soft golden
tresses from Cecil's pure check, and gazing
so intently into her eyes? Nay, start not,
It's Willie Cecil opened her large dreamy
eyes and placed them on the sunburnt
face before her. Surely she was dream
ing; that could not be her own beautiful
cousin. She placed her thin hands before
her eyes to shut out the vision.
Cecil said musical, though deep
voice in her ear, look up; tits Willie
come for you to save him take back the
broken vow; and l swear by the holy
powers above never to touch, taste or han
die again.
willie, the time was once when I
would have wished to live for your sake
but It's past now. The fountain has been
broken; the lamp is waning I cannot
live, but will DIE for YOU
You shall not die, Cecil you are too
pure, too beautiful, too good to die; you
must stay to redeem me-
'"Tis better as it is, Willie [ could
never marry one whose freshness of feel
ing was gone, one who had broken his
faith and Iced ~"oehor.'
IT'S false, never loved her, never
loved any save YOU
Willie, listen to me go and sign the
Temperance pledge; return to the defence
of your country take it with you and
get every one to sign it you can. If am
living when you return | will be yours
if not, may angels bless YOU
Most bitterly did the truant and faith,
less one repent of his folly and resolving
to redeem his name and character, he join
ed his fortunes with the -th Reg, as
they were joining the army of invasion
into Kentucky. Most gallantly and brave
} ly did be valiant service at the battle O
Perryville; but in heavy and perilous
, charge he fell pierced by a musket bal
through the head. .-.
Cecil recovered from her dangerous i'll
= ness, but never heard from Willie bu
t once then piece of blood stained pa
1 per was handed her BY a comrade of hi
), in arms, on which was written in trem-
bling characters" Willie dies for hi
S country, remembering Cecil and his VOWS !!
e Cecils frai and injured constitution
s sunk under this terrible blow, and she hoy
e sleeps quietly under the balssm fir trees c
0 her native mountains; while Willie rest
c on the battle field where be consecrate
= his devotion to love and duty by his ow
d life-blood.
n We know not whether any anguish G
t. evil was carried to the home and heart {
n his betrayed Virginia betrothed-but h
d "broken vow" doubtless sealed his ow
of life and that of his early beloved.
p Let all his fellow soldiers be warne
o from a similar fate.
n ->se>>-----