Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-08-11

~'AN'"' ~A''~AAN'S'
There IS something inexpressibly sweet
and sacred in the remembrance of those
we have loved and lost. Every spot where
they have been, and every scene in which
they have acted, are 'hallowed by some
dear and btttessei association. Mcnno--,l
which is ever busy with her soothing, or
her torturing power, loves to recall the
sweetness, gentleusss, and piety of their
characters; while she ingeniously conceaIs
the defects in which all partakers Of our
fallen nature must necessarily share and
Fancy, which clothes all things in bright
ness and beauty, represents theu in super
human loveliness, and wearing the purity
of our Makers smile, as 1T was impressed
upon our race, when they came unsullied
from His hand. We. forget that Sin,
which brought Death into the word and
all our wo," has descended from genera
tion 20 generation; and, in our fond i'm
aginings, believe them to be exceptions to
the declaration, GALL have sinned."
Occasionally, our pilgrimage through
this dark world is cheered and blessed by
the presence of one who seems sent, pur-
posely, to teach us what we might have
been, if our First Parents had never fallen.
In my recollections of the past, one
sweet vision always presents itself to my
imagination, soothing and Frightening, as
with glorious sunlight, all the dark
shades in the picture ; and forget all else,
but the loveliness of the lost one. Once
more see her mild, dark eye resting upon
me in its wonted tenderness and affection
once more see the bewitcning smile
which fascinated and won SO many hearts
again | feel her soft breath upon my
cheek; and ever and anon, my heart thrills
as seem to hear the surprising melody O
her sweet voice, chanting as from the
throne of God, in accents attuned to the
shArmonv of the angel choir her dying
like numbers on my ear Eal "a. las TO
sorrow that Heaven cannot cure"
Let those who pursue with avldity the
gilded shadows of earth, and lean on their
treacherous treasures-let those to whom
sorrow is but name, and who chase with
eagerness the phantom pleasure, till it lures
to ruin--above all, let those who cling
with fondness to the frail beings God ha,
kindly lent them for little season, vainll
believing them perpetual in their posses
sion, listen to few truths; and, indeed
but such as we must meet in every day
life-such as we must meet, till we ar
gathered in our final home
NV elder sister had married early i
life man every way worthy of her, an
to whom her young affections had bee
given in confidence and simplicity eve
in childhood they had loved, and dared
avow it to each other, and to the world
After passing through his collegiate cours
in one of the most fourshing Of OF
Southern iutitutions, he went to Europ
and completed his studies. Inmediatel
on his return, he claimed his youthful
sweetheart for bride, and with the az
probation of all friends they were unite'
Few have commenced married life wit
brighter prospects, OF more brilliant anti
cipations; but few sparkling drops
the cup of bliss-a few thornless flowers
8 few shining moons, and joy, with h
bright pinions, took his fight forever, lea
ing one in wretchedness and wo, to dra
to7its very dregs the cup of anguish al
sorrow. In his mysterious providenc
God saw fit to take from her the husbar
of her youth, the father of her child /; ar
i've wears from the time when my sist
left us happy bride, she returned to t
home of her childhood, sad and sorrowf
"a widow-and in that one word, he
much of human misery and desolation
summed up. They came; and to the |
test period of my life, shall l rememt
the impressions they made upon my you
and happy heart. That stricken one
overwhelmed with grief unutterable, VIII
none but widows heart can feel-a
that gay, and beautiful child Ny sistt
pale, pensive features told but too plai
the working of the broken heart with
And little Ellen-her dark hair hang
in luxuriant curls over her fat neck
rosy, dimpled cheeks, and her laughi
black eyes, formed sad contrast to
sable dress, while in her innocence {
mirth she would make the old mans
ring again with her childish laugh, wh
fell upon my earliks the sweet carol of
birds in spring, when to them, as it was
her, life is new, and bright and Joyous
She came--and look upon that day
of the brightest in the waste of meme
for she brought sunshine to our house,
gladness to our hearts.
Nature had bestowed upon her no c.
mon endowments, and these had b