Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-09-28


There was one who, unobserved, stood
listening to the song of Wilfred as his
gondola approached the shore. On a
rocky promontory, which projected a
short distance into the lake, stood q
stranger watching the light barque as it
gladly bounded over the deep. His arms
were folded, and his attitude was that of
q person deeply absorbed in meditation.
At periods sudden tremor would run
through his frame, and his jet-black eyes
fash with more than earthly flame, while
his lips expanded with the CHASTITY smile
OF a maniac, and displayed ine row of
white teeth which strongly contrasted |
with the almost Moorish darkness of his
skin. His garments were of a coarse
green cloth, and his appearance general
ly, haggard and wild, though still pos.
sessing uncommon manly beauty At |
intervals he would cast fearful look
around him as if expecting the appear
ance of something to be dreaded.
"And yet live!" exclaimed he, groan-
ing; live through ages of the bittsrest
torture A poor dsathlsss being-wan-
dering over the face of the eafth-a curse
to mySsf-a scourge to mankindl Blast
me at once, ye powers of mercy Ami
hilste this invulnerable mass of flesh -
Oh! let me feel the blissful sensations of
DEATH. have thrown myself into the
bowels of Rtna-plunged into it's hot
test flames, and rolled in its molten lava
still exist I have rushed amid the
clash of armies, the lance shivsred against
my brsast-the shore splintered upon my
| oL hau tboA iohf &c &ho
swift cannon ball have grasped the
winged lishtnings of heaven; 1 have
dashed myself fron the cloud-capped
peaks-and yet live live, feeding up
J on an atmosphere of hell, lashed by its
fircest demons, tortured to death, but to
: rise again and suffer anew. Ys blessed
mortals who can droop away like the
: flowers of spring. [ hate ys. am my
I own curse, and shall be thine crime up.
I on crime shall lead me, at last, to that
: determination, repentance can not. Ha
5 he comes, he comes" continued he.
- dashiag u.adly forward toward the gnof
\ | where Wfltreo was landing. "Avatnt
e torture me not-strike me dead, but, o |!
II torture nae not" Thus saying, he fell
:, exhausted at the feet of the astonished
q hunter.
d Wilfrsd raised the unfortunate wretch
= from the ground, and, bathing his livic
q cheeks with some water, he soon bsgar
= to give signs of returning animation. Al
IS soon as his heavy eyes opened, hs wildly
20 looked into the face of the youth an.
'r shrieksd out, "Torturs me not-nsrcy
le leave me, leave me-do repent" Viii
l. fred replied, in soothing tone;
ID Be at ease, stranger. A friend speaks
le and there IS shelter for yeu, in yende
t. dwelling"
IN The wanderer turned, and again fxs'
ss bis dark eyes upon the young hunter, q
) if to read his very soul.
ID art thou mortal p asked he
sT doubtingly;" or art thou some damne
X spirit of new moulding, come to infic
g fresh and newly invented torturss ?"
~ 81 am no spirit, but pure flesh an
ne blood. Thou art weary, stranger; hun
'r, ger and fatigue nave overcome thee
e. Follow me-yonder stands dwelling.
mn cit 10 of mortal make" interrupted th
A stranger, turning away. 81 hate it J.
ad Leave me-thou art not my friend-ys
lal thy looks are mild humanity seems I
OF be written upon thy brow. Art tho
lie youngp
I'D "My looks can answer that" repli.
ro' the youth" Twenty years have scare
Ter ly rolled over me-" a..
40 "Twenty years! Thoh art young il
n deed. How Ion. dost thou expect
Ter liver"
'ry "As long IS can say my country
the, frse-after that, l wish not to live"
Think'st thou there is such a thil
Sc as eternal life ?"
vas Aye" answered Wilfred, glowing
OF he spoke: "Hs that defends his countr,
led rights, and achieves great deeds, hv
md forever in the hearts of his countryme
ely and he that passes his earthly career
- doing good and teaching it to othe
'ot lives forever in Heaven"
his "Ha-I have done neither, and s.
lps, my life has no enc" exclaimed the str:
pom ger, hiding his face in agony between
eep hands.
not The youth cast on him look of N
ety glsd pity and surprise, while he inwal
tier ly exclaimed, Poor wretch misfortul
'er- have degraded him." The strane
aid however, became comparatively ca
rid, and, looking upon Wilfred as If in do,
tfui whether he dared to ask favor, he sa
eye Young man, am weak and hung
,ad- ed, your hospitabls roof can, perha
had give rest to the wayworn pilgrim.
ned 1.-THE owner of that villa rep