Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-05-12
No SO.


cd every thing thing you can say;
but oh, from you it is bitter to hear it =
Oh my daughter, listen to me- She flung
her: elf at Miss Vaux's feet, on the bare
floor.
You speak Of the sorrows have brought
upon you-the sorrow and the shame bat
have they equalled what have,endured
Day and night-dsy and night-through
months and years-fourteen long years
oh, think of it have wished to kill N.Y.
self, but l dared not do it; l have prayed
fervently to die Oh, no, no, stay and lis
ten to me! My last hops-my last hope
in heaven and earth is only with you. Oh,
my daughter you say you loved me once
will not one spark of the old love live
again will try yet once more to.mose
you to pity. | have not told ycu all. l
have not told you how, in my agony,
tried to find rest and peace; how Isought
it erywhere-wandering from place to
place, in hunger and thirst, in cold and
WEAKNESS, in poverty and wretchedness;
finding none anywhere, until at last, worn
out with misery, | wandered here. And
here | saw Gabrielle, my beautiful child,
my love, my darhngp
The wan face lighted up with passionate
love, as she looked at her who was kneel-
ing by her side
She believed me when told her of my
sorrow. She comforted me with such
sweet words, that they sank like healing
balm into my soul, as though an angels
voice had spoken. Do not take her FROM
me !
Mother, do not fear,' Gabriellc's soothing
voice whispered, I will stay with you-did
| not promise itg
GabrielleP cried Miss Vaux, 'coms,
once bound US to her she herself has sex,
cred for ever; we have nothing further ttI
do with her. Gabrielle come
cannot come. She is my mother :.
| cannot leave her.
And we are your sisters. To whom do
you owe most We have watched ovei
you through your life; we have shielded
you from sorrow; we have loved you al :
1855 -. s-;s .ccs it. ~ 70 ha- .
) gwen you. You have been the single jo5.
that we have had for yeats. Haye yot
no love to give US in return for all we hav Z
given you? Oh, GabrieIle-my sister.
pray you II, who am so.little used TO en-
treat any one, | pray you for the sake
the love we have borne you-for the SAX
of the honor that is still left us-for th,
sake of all that you hold sacred--come
l come back with us
A low moan burst from the mother
lips; for Gabrielle, weeping bitterly, ros,
from her knees, and threw herself into hel
sisters arms.
Heaven bless you for this 7 Miss Vaux
exclaimed; but interrnpting her in brok.
!, en- voice, Gabrielle cried
on do not understand me. [ cannot
: return with you. No, sister. ANY thing
a else will do, but I cannot forsake her in
herpeRitence. Can you do it yourself?-
x Oh sister, will you not take her home p
: will not
D There was a long pause, broken once or
twice by the deep sobs that seemed burst
e ing the mothers heart. Then Miss Vaux
y spoke again, earnestly, even impIoringly.
Gabrielle, ask you once more, for the
7, last time, to return with me. Foolish child,
!; think what you are doing. You are bring
ID ing down your fathers dying curse upon
III your head-you are piercing the hearts
: of those who love you with new and bitter
/ sorrow you are closing-wilIfully closing
r. against yourself the door that is still ope1
re to receive you you are making yourself
I'd homeless-a wanderer-perhaps a beggar
g Oh, my dear sister Gabrielle, think once
We more-think of all this !"
lg Sister, spare me further your word
'n wound me bat | have decided, and | can
5! not return with you. My mothers horn
at is my home.'
Us Then | say no more, Miss Vaux ex
claimed, while her whole figure shooI
'e, May God forgive you for what YOU d
le, this day =
cy The door closed, and Gabrielle and he
mother were left alone
ks Gently and lovingly Gabrielle raised he
from the ground, led her to her. seat, an
Ter tried to calm and and soothe her-tboug
c she wept herself the whle-with Cheerful
d! tender words.
all Mother, are you not glad to have N
e. with you-your own little Gabrielle! 1o
for said it would make you happy and vet Sc
OF now you are weeping. Hush mothe
she dear. hush / will be always with yo
me now. to nurse you, and take care of yor
- and comfort you, and you will get stron
tell and we'll soon; and some day, mother, SOM
get day perhaps their hearts will soften, an
: they will forgive Us both, and take Us hon
no to them, and We will all live again togeth
er, loving one another And Gabrielle trie
led, to smile through the tears that were fall
aad ing still.