Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-04-21

ttSIettlitN dIIdHncQ dtId ctii Oi COlHIOEI L
seemed 10 pervaie all aroupti.
:" Are you going to stop here" said Ma S
bel. Il
Yes, Mabel, for few minutes we 5
nav find something to annse Us here at
the residence of one of the city 5 wealth |
lest nabobs.
They ascepded tse wide steps, Mabel |
leaning lovingly on Herbert' arm. They |
were met by diguifed, wigwearing por- ,
ter, who showed them into the rcce,,tion
room. Here they were net bv thin ,
visaged, withered, gold srectacIed little
man, who bowed profoundly to Herbert !
and cast fnrtiye glance at Mabel as lie
proffered her a. seat. The little Inau heg-
ged pardon of Mabe. as he led Herbert to
another room. Soon as they hal left,
matronly dame entered the reception room,
clad in plain hahi.iments aad who wore
solemn face. The matron invited Mabel
to another room, but she excused herself
saying her husband ad just stepped into
another room with gentleman and would
return in few moments
q Poor thing said the matron in low
tone as she rang a little bell on the table. |
This brought two strong men in white
aprons aud the matror pointed to Mabel
and said,
LEAD the poor creature to her apart
ment'
@What does this mean,n screaaed the
. terrified Mabel.
But she was hurried away along dark
and narrow passages with the men in white
aprons on either side. At the door of one
of the many rooms she was met by anoth
er matron who looked at her with search
ing gaze over her brass speetacles.
Poor thing said the matron with the
brass spectacles as Mabel was rudelv
thrust into the room. Thedoor was closed
and the men in white aprons went away.
Poor Mabel was stricken with terror at
the strange position she oeeupied. There
were the matrons looking in ths ough a
glass pane. So young and beautiful"
sad one. g Aud SO wild il her: looks. =
. Alas her poor nrotheIFa be crazy
about her.
81 am not maniac" cried Mabel, I" |
am not crazed! Why am shut mp here ?
Tell me for this maddening suspense will
indeed run me to distraction"
Poor creature" said the matron with
the brass spectacle :" how much she raves
like the poor girl that came last spring and
hung herself in her cell -
They went away after locking the door,
How strange her situation There was
\ neat little room, with clean and tidy
? furniture 4; and the sweet song Of the birds
in the maple toughs an6 the flower scented
breeze from the neighborng hills came in
, at the window to cheer! But the song
of she birds and the breeze from the hills
came into the captive through a aotndou
r vith crates
5 She saw her own Herbert through the
window enter the carriage that brought
e her there and saw it roll away leaving
her among strange people, captive. Sho
e saw this, through iron gates
d The truth had flashed upon her mind
a she was in an Asyluno for Lgndtics, sem
there bv souIless husband to revenge
+ himself upon her supposed crime. He
: heart felt as if it wonId break Betrayed
s into the hands of stern masters by mar
a who had sworn to protect her, and nC
) friend on earth to look to. 1er old fathe
It had lain in the grave for months. He
n ewes refused to weep, and the very air sh,
: bleathed, seemed to choke her. Her onl,
: treasure was torn from her the babe sh
d had left in the morning contiding 10 wha
1t she hoped was the returning love of he
&c husband. Oh how she longed to be wit
her tabe and press it to her bosom an
,e gaze in its liquid eyes that beamed hk
t stars with innocence and budding love-
She begged for her babe, and the matron
ne pitied her in what they thought we're he
It. imaginary rawlings Mabel tried to con
le vince the matrons she was not insane, br
as they would look knowingly at each othe
% and say they had seen the Jike Lefrre.
as The little, withered, thinsisaged ma
It. with golden spectacIes would come to NJ
20 be's cell and feel her pulse and ask h,
ld many strange questions, AS if cautious
trying the strength OF her mind. He wou
DIS speak kindly to her and leave each tin
US with hope that she might he better {
a the morrow. She tried to convince Il
v doctor that she was not Insane: but
er professed 10 be wise man in his way. al
so shook his head wisely and said he h;
he seen the like before
h Poor Mabel she felt she was doomed
SIS life in the prison. She cosd hear MIG
Its and day the horrible screenings o. her f
IN low prisoners, who welc really insane 4
els the cIanking o. the bars of their ce,Is
ers they grappled with them in the dark hot
m Of night; she cogid hear the wild song
rId. those near her singing of some lover bnri
ber IN thc sea, or a m.'ther, or babe who nt
'et- lshcd i. the seethipg flames of city