Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-08-31
4ituature,
From the MaguO!ia Weekly.
A TRUE STORY.
III OATS.

Bulwcr would probabiyNeall this "a
Stra 70 story" and doubEessly so from
the fact that truth is stranger than
tiction.' ] saould not give it to the
public fapy of the parties referred to
were now living they<aTe not The
grave has closed over them, years have
passed away since they moved upon the
stage Of action, and there are no kindred
left to be panied by the revival of the
sad incidents which in their day and
tins made wonderful impression upon
the public mind
Mere. than half century ago, among
the eminent physicians who enjoyed the
confdeace and divided the practice in the
city cf R----,nonc stood higher, both in
the walks of social life and professional
exceReacy, than Doctor W. He
had married la6g from one of the old
est families in the ancient Dominion, the
fruit Of which union was an only daugh-
ter. The year afser the birth OF this
child, Doctor Was called upon to
part with the young and lovely partner
of his bosom, and upon him devolved the
delicate and responsible trust of raising
this tender dowret and training her to
walk in the way which her sweet moth
er, ere her death, bad trod..
1t was thought at first by many, that
the Doctor would return to Scotland, the
land Of his birth, but at the solicitation
of friendS, and the earnest entreaties Of
the numerous families in which he had
prsctised SO successfully for several years,
(for the Doctor was bachelor of some
thirty five years of age when no marri-
ed,) ne gave up the idea of leaving the
scene.of his Joys and sorrows in' matri--
monial life, and with proper attendants
/. to take. charge Of his little Maria, during
the feeble years cf her Infancy, and the
49, ,r..-,l ~ ..~e Gs.st ~. ss.syoSs..
he gave himself up to his profession,
winning, as time moved on, both repu-
tation and wealth.
Years sped along. The little infant
had budded into the beautiful child, the
child had passed into womanhood, idoliz
ed by her father, and admired by hel
companions of both sexes. And in truth
she was very beautiful! Delicate O
frame, fair of face, her bright, but mile
blue eyes, shaded by hong soft lasnes
looked out at times dreamily upon sur
rounding things, and anon would tlasl
with enthusiasm, as, hinging back he
clustering haxen c0rls, she would rea
or hear told some story of love and trials
and constancy unto death. Her educa
ton had been as thorough as the faciltie
of the period afforded, and the parlors {
Doctor W--were seldom without Wis
itors OF an evening, drawn thither
share the smiles and conversation, an
listen to the music of his petted child.
Although the Doctor had accumulate
a large fortune by his practice, and WI
still adding to his pecuniary resources
strange as it may seem,-although libe
al in his supplies to Maria, and by I
means niggard in his entertainments,
had gradually fallen into the hateful an
fatal notion that money was the prin
element in the completisn Of human ha
uiness, and tAat to be rich, was to be ;
that man could desire for riches cou
purchase distinction, troops OF friends
and what was man without money !?
Not that Doctor W said so much, b
he thought it, felt it, perhaps.
1t is one of the peculiar infirmities
advanced life, this thirst Tor riches
grows stronger us We HiONo Oll lAS ~
that leads 10 dusty death. 1t is st
silver cord' that tightens around
soul, as that, soul looks out from ey
that are gathering with the rheum
are. 1t is "the golden bowl'from whi
the old aan quaffs imaginary nectar,
he clutches its sides with convuls
grasp, lest it be broken" The f
nrs, MORAL is, however, pertinent
the >'oy
VI nen Doctor W--settled in R
he was about thirty years old, and hav
graduated after the usual protracted s
dies, requisite to obtain his degree,
Edinburg, the letter which he brou
with him to some of the most pro-
nent citizens, together with his own
CANT manners, soon placed him, in
gard to society and position, on the
cial platform among his peers.
R was then, what it never viii
again! There was more talent at
bar, more science in its medical pra
toners, more eloquence in its pull
more probity omoug its merchants, II
honesty and virtue among its hum
and humblcst citizens, than will
distinguish it in the annals of the fut
Fuit ULium."
Still, as have iutimated, the Do
was not ayerse s. to increase his ste