The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-04-23
NJ. 81.
The Promise.
How Otter did'st thou pledge and vow
Thou W Pu2d'st for aye be mine,
And My FIND heart itself 50 true,

4Hou NDuru 81 IOf aye pc mlne;
And My fBnd heartitsef 50 true,
1t ne'er mstrused thine. Burns
Just seventeen years ago, Eliza murry was in the
prime OF young AID naldenly beauty rs fair the rose
that blossoms in the cultivated garden of art as gentle
as the lilly of the meadow that bends its head to the
summer zephyr and yet times as wild and reckless
the playful schPoboy that sports on the edge of the
rocky precipice She was just such being Gs a fine
youth would love. i have seen her in the midst of
galety with dmble on her cheek and playfulness in
her manner, which tused its influence on those around
her. Many an eye was turned on her with delight and
many memory frequently called up to mind the smile
that played upon bier ounenance when directed towards
him. She was at such times in her proper sphere for
the whole cast of eE character beamed forth it spoke
in the playful throw O well turned arm in the grace
full movement OF sylphike form, aud in the merry step
of pretty foot. G4t, with natural volatility, she
posscsseda noble nd generous heart 1t herintcn
ton to pursue c3rrtct ana honorable coursc-bu she
knew not herself.
The winning grRce of beauty the smile of gaietv ana
the power Of fasho ion, never failed to admirers around
the form OF wonan Eliza Murray knew the truth Of
this she felt the brca OF her attractions CHE could read
them in the pleasure which her smile gave in the many
eyes which restcdwith delight upon her and in the web
of conquest which she By the flashing out Of that
yand memmeutso oleuded with early youth. Dancing
alone then in the heyday Of her conquest she had still
felt at times the Influence which passion is ever cxert
over u.s.
Among the marry suffers which appeared before her,
Harry English was all that the maiden could desire He
saw Eliza NnrrrY gay. beautiful and attractive pos
seSsng, with all hdr volatility gentcness in her manner
sweetness OF temper buoyance of fancy and aase IN
conversation, Which he admired. lie offered hiTGsel:
among the list Of &i~oTS foc her hand. With the true
spirit of honorable courtship he uufoded her his
circumstances his prospects and his future hopes de
sired an intimate inUwledga, willing that acquaintance
should blossom tolrandshp, and rpen into love. She
with the ancient cblOr which female fancy ever gives o
man. when he tard before her in the beauty Of love-?
skctched to herself the character Of auitor-dwelt
upon the candid manner IN which he had unroIIed his
purposes threw her rlinbow over the future pledged
herself his and hiI alone and promised Kim l srpara-
ton from all society but his own.
Thus far all wa# right. But in youth We are the
beings Of fancy ana especially the children OF
volatility live in the delight Of the moment-thc CAV
giddy scene is the thnatre on which they move This
was too much the character Of Eliza Murray. card
for q ba to be givcg at place Henry did not thnE
proper handedhGrby who had always professed
himself an admjrer aud she forgot in the moment of
Its reception her ProEise to Henry Bnt when alone
her situation vic7ed in its proper light The card
had been takenlo %hc must and yet she knew it was
wrong but he will forgive thought She and moving
at the moment bciPre mirror she smiled with salts
faction then putting on the arch look danced mcrrq
away with the excaIuation He cannot withstand that
In visited her the 4vening after the ball. talking over
the forfeiture of har ord coollv and asked her plainly
if she had acted correctly Instead of freely aclnowi
edgcng her error, ske dwe with apparent delight upon
the the gay scene of the ball told of the merry company
present and Of the potenes Of her partner and in the
end endeavored to d9cuIc the idea ohis being offended
1t was cnou@ll-they parted
Years rolled ontIscy mingled together in the merry
scenc-surrounded by the social frcside-but the de
light which affection Cor each other had thrown over,
the sIvcry moments they mad spent together, had
ceased Cold familiarity and distant politcness had
assumed its place. saw both however at length mar
ricd
Henry English hal chosen one who had no ether
recommendation but rlind and person Wealth did not
throw her wreath Of *plcndor and power around her
mind rich in the purify of youth gave to her charms
more aIluring influence than all the pcndor that wealth
brings in its train. Cnded they commenced the world
industry their reliance cconemy its helpmate.
The gallant who had been she partner Of Eliza Nur-
ray at the ball becamG in time her husband He was
one calculated to please amid the Gaetv Of youthful
society but unfit for the serious and substantial
affairs OF life. Such was the hasty idea formed as
witnessed the wedding ceremonies. But Eliza Murray
then the same g#y and smiling cOunenance, and
the laughing lips spoke Of present happiness when
she bid the wedding party welcome she used to
when she could claim protection from Henry English
waited upon English and his bride a short time
previous to my leaving for home. had seen HELEN
Gray often before marriage, hut never did she appear
so interesting when after wishing success when
far away in the character Of Mrs English she took her
husbands arm and wandered away over the meadows
to her cottage residence | also gave friendly shake
of the hand and babe farewell to Eliza Green and her
husband with an earnest but secret wish that he who
was to be the protector Of one fair Elizg Murray
might be all that husband could be. left two Young
couples then-as happy as hope and fancy could make
the first sycry moon Of nsatrimonv,
Twelve Ecags had passed awao, when curiosity and
inclination led back again to the sweet village of
Middlctown. As | wound my way down into the vii
Iagc the recollection Of other days up before me
thought Of those h4d left reyeling in the joys Of
'life's iovIcs period rode lesurely along marking
the alterations that time and eerprSc had made One
neat and elegant mansioh had risen, spot singuary
beautiful to which the hands of industry and art had
given all their adhat spot the residence Of Henry
English
Different very different, has been the course of
another couple. Eliza Murray, poor girl, woye for
herself cruel destiny. Tho duty she was called upon
to perform was Of extraordinary cast--n dssipated
husband to w:n back to der, and happiness if possible
little ones to watch over and vide for with moth
ers anxiety. 1t was too mHch-shc SINK beneath the
weight of it. and left !wo orphan children Henry
English true the prompting Of his first love for Eliza,
stepped forward and became their parent l saw them
both on my last visit Mt ngIisl5 sitting the green.
To those Young ladies who perase his crude and simple
tale have but word t7 say matters Of courtship.
Let promises however rang, be adhered 10 with the
strictcst faith. corf&ence placed by loyc~s, then
and not betrayed will no, be forgotten.