Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-07-12
ALEXANDRIA vA THURSDAY EVENING, JULY r. 1866

been forty-seven days on the ocean. A week
afterwards my feet touched terra .5frnla at Alex
andria, one of three towns which compose the
| District OF Columbia-the seat OF federal power
in the American Confederacy. Little did [
imagine when first caught sight OF its steep!es,
glisteuing in the summer sun, how much of
| my life would be worked out beneath the shadow
| of its rooftrees, and how dear it's stony path
ways would one day become to me. Letters Of
| introduction from gentlemen OF the highest
/ distinction in France, soon placed my guardian
on footing of easy familiarity in the most cul-
tivate1 society OF the federal metropolis and lis
yicinity-a region rema, ksile for social advan-
tages With a view of supervising my educe-
ton, he domiclllated bimself at the mansion of
MIR. H.-a home, as eminent for social refine
ment as Tor a lavish hospitality, which showed
that Alexandria had once been portion of the
| open-b banded commonwealth Of Virginia The
mansion was pleasant one. 1t had been built
of stone, in the old style, at period long ante
rior to the severance Of Virginia from the moth
| er country, and years before stood in The midst
Of broad acres, though at the period OF which |
| write, it was shorn ct its ancient regalness
quiet, socially. peopled town had grown up
| around, and grassy court yard in the front,
walled in from the street and shaded by hand
some poplars, was all that was left Of its broad
end of which rose a plain brick inn In the
rear there was half an acre enclosed, from which
| hill descended towards few acres redeemed
| from the river and dotted with small tenements.
! Within gunshot, the beautiful Potomac rolled
on towards the sea- while on either side of the
mansion, the town spread out to considerable
! distance, reaching on the north, half mile and
stretching southwark unti its course was arres-
ted by small arm of the river, along which
| the inhabitants had erected rustic pleasure
grounds, that were the festive haunts of the
growing village. My chamber was snail one
and could be entered only through another
room, which was assigned to my GUARDIAN
Both faced the East, and ga7e view of the
running river.
My guardian was always kind My wishes
were even anticipated, and Of the material COM
forts and luxuries of life I wanted nothing
But his language and his department towards
me was without sign Of affection, and soon
perceived that he did not love me- / naturally
sought solace at the hands of the two amiable
ladies of the house. They would have grown
fond OF me, yearning as my young heart was
for sympathy and love, but my guardian evil
IDENTIFY looked with ill-couccaled chagrin upon
their tenderness, and shortly after took occasion
to desire that [ should be treated as a stranger
~ every one Of the household. He was persis-
tent in this, and after not little difficulty, saw
his wishes in this respect completely gratiicd
have said he took charge Of my edccation.-
All the knowledge which man has gathered
from the physical world; all his achievements
in mathematics and the exact sciences were un-
folded to my awakened mind. An historical
sketch Of the worlds progress, prepared espe-
cially for my use, formed portion Of my stud
les, but religion, ethics and morals were sedu-
ously excluded from entering, in any form, into
his system of instruction, and [ was left to ny
nature for guidance.
It was the more completely to secure this lat
ter purpose, that my guardian exercised his un
rivalled ability 10 keeping me aloof from the
rest OF mankind Itsurprises me now to think
Of the readiness Of expedient with which, with
out offence, he baff1ed every attempt to be IA
miiiar with me. Nov, when | know that he
was an atheist, experimenting in body and SOUL
can appreciate his purpose, and my heart yet
aches, as [ remember my joyless chlldhood-l
cannot curse him, for know he Intended to be
kind Wandering through the quaint old
house; resting on the shaded grass in the court
yard; studying in my little chamber, overlook
ing the shining Potomac, listening to the teach
ing of my guardian in his chamber; strolilng at
rare intervals through the streets Of the thrifty
town, or rambling with my guardian on the
wooded slopes which over top the town, or On
he green banks Of the river-and what,
perhaps, for several years, was my best enjoy
ment,-reciping on the roof of porch, On the
rear Of the mansion, and reading, watch
ing the bright river and dreaming life away
1 was not happy. Far from i'll Year after
year, without God and without love. Throw
yourself upon your knees, reader, and thank
God tor the holy teachings of your mother
lips; the blessed heart-fire kindled by moth
er's eye; fold your hands again. as she taught
you-in prayer, tor / know how much gratitude
you owe to Him, who has spared you from
frozen childhood such as mine
(To BE CONTINUED.