Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-08-24
Raleigh, n. O., AugIst 24, 1868.

Alas do not know"
You do not know did she not die
before you left American
No Three months ago | should
have said wished she had, rather than
live lost TO me, exposed to fa,es [ Shud-
der to think Of Now | am hopeful
More-trustfu. 1t seems to me she has
been kept pure, and that shall know
her. And yet"-and he sig ghed heavily
haven't the shadow of reason for
such hopes and trust"
was excited compared the remem-
| brance of the ISinature on my baby's'
sleeve chain With the figure before ane.
Imade him oSlGsin all He told me sf
the child's birth, the delicate health Of
bis wife aftesward, his taking her to Gu
ba, leaving the child in as he supposed
terusty care, the death of his wife in
| Havanna, aid while he was still in the
first anguish of her loss, news from his
child's nurse of its death, and of her
1 speedy return to Ireland He came to
New York too late to find her, ano left
America at once-as he supposed forev-
er. In Europe years afterward, he met
a servant who had been with him during
his brief marriage life, and who declared
dead on the date of which the woman
had written him; but further than that
he could not say, as he had followed the
fortunes of another master. The un-
happy father sought vainly for the wo-
man, and now returned at last means TO
America. He described the childs nurse.
It was the oman who had abandoned
her child in my arms, and the face was
: the changed, aged one of Perdidas min
( ature. Not many days thereafter re-
, stored to my friend his early lost child,
: and Igave up my baby" to her right
f full father.
J, Without pang? Yes. Did | con-
: sole myself with the pretty cousin afore-
mentioned? She had IT had patience to
u wait, that might-a husband and sever
e al olive branches precluded that.
It How, then? / saw "my baby"
t stately and radiantly beautiful woman.
d She called me Major -, she treated
le me in the most precise and formal way
10 the utmost favor she bestowed upon me
ffnrsfhss q sSs Ssas possible teaih Of the
ri morning, ana saw her hou.+yF77Thh her
b. idolizing fathers arms, layishing the ten-
to derest caresses upon him. Would have
ar it otherwise No. There was dearer
d, delight in the reserve with which was
treated, the faintest flush that colored her
r. cheek when was near her, or addressed
he her, had an inexpressibe sweetness tha
ad I wouldn't have bartered for aIght OF
Ter earth short Of what | eventually obtain
er. ed. Whati you don't mean to say tina
nd YOU, SCARED old veteran of betweel
Ter thirty and forty, dared--Didn't |
I'D hi hn Of 4
lee my military capacity was invited Il
W West Point. went, and my friend AM
his daughter accompanied me- | sat be
est side her in the ears. The happy oil
| [ gentleman at little distance, read dill
for gently. | said:
Wy "Perdidal you have travelled this rout
rst before with me; do you recall this scene
.lf ry at all
Ter She blushed scarlet, and looked at m
- beseechingly. went on.
,r- 'sTo think what heavy, hungry, un
nd pacifable baby carried on that day, an
lg- the WY that poor Cadets humanity wa
ng ridieuledl"
ng The tears started, and the young lad
so at my side bowed her naughty head.
nd And the worst feature in the case
We that he never had any suitable recon
er. pense. A good deed IS Its own reward
on, to certain degree, of course; but in thi
inc case every feeling of my soul, every f.
r a bre of my heart demands solnethin
tic, lnore-and great something more
est Perdidal my darling, these seyentee
- years, have lost you to your father bu
cir | canuot bear it. Be geAerous. HeIe
US, here where found "my baby" give,
ner give her back to mel"
the She raised her head.
hat "If she were so much trouble now q
'ou then p
my darling, don't trifel Am to hay
5e. your"
an an "My young lady answered not. In
NY stead she occupied herself with deliberat
ON ON ly drawing offher glove. Then she turn
.no ed to me. -..
,on Since you will be troubled" AT
she laid her barred hand in mine. Nil
81 again.
had Shortly after we were married.
my carried Perdida during our wedding tor
I'M to the friends had found for her and n
ght in the cars seventeen years before; an
that this time right reverently l kissed ii