Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-11-10
A Romance nfLakn Erie.

A lew years Slnce,- a Young Enplishnaan
with his wife and two servants arrived in
Maiden from the north of England. Tn
stature ne was above the middle size, we'll
proportloned and OF commanding ASPECT:
his features, thoughnot exactly correspond
ent with the finest models, nor altogether
regular, were strongly marked and the tom
ems 3mble gave an expression circumference
somewhat tinctured with melancholy. but
in dicative of an intelligent mind His full.
dark eyes, that unconsciously BETRAYED q
proud and Indignant spirit. when aroused
by the gaze of impertinent CURIOSITY, would
instantly yield to the softest expression of
love and tenderness, if met bv the smile of
his Mary Reserved and formal in his in
tereourse with the world; studiously avoid
ing all inquiries concerning his former his
tory, and seemingly living out for his wife
Charles Lowell, for by that name he was
called, excited the attention of the whole
village. His companion, more like the be-
lng OF fairy tale than the unadOrned exile
OF real life, exhibited the finest symmetry of
person, harmony of features and expression
OF countenance. Her dark auburn locks
which fell in clustering ringlets upon her
shoulders-the sweet serenity of her hazel
eye-thc grace and dignity of her move-
ments-the mellow tones of her voice, and
the beamings of highly-polished mind
that Iightened her countenance with all the
ineffable charms of intellectual loveliness.
would have rendered her equally the fas-
clnatlng object of admiration, amid the gay
splender of a city, or the rustic simplicity
OF a village; she was like the plant seed
ling of the forest, which rises with reno
vated strength and beauty, from the ravages
of the whirlwind, while the majestic oak
stands scathed and riven; the storms of ad-
versity which had exiled and sorrowed her
husband, served but to call forth the firm
ness of her soul, and to add dignity to the
feminine softness of her person. With Mr.
Lowell she was happy, though surrounded
by the gloom of wilderness, and to restore
his wonted peace of mind, she strove to
| maintain IN his presence the same spright-
ly look of cheerfulness which marked her
youthful days.
The exercise of my professional duties
(the narrator continued) gave me an early
introduction to this n ysterious couple; and
in the course of a few weeks Iaccompanied
Lowell on visit to Bass-Island, during
which he disclosed his intention of select
ing for his future residence a spot sequest-
cred and far distant from the busy scenes
of an ungrateful world; the island proved
equal to his wishes, ana Immediately upon
in the space of three months Lowell and his
little family were in quiet and undivided
possession of their sylvan abode. In the
course of the first year of their residence
the wife had the fond satisfaction of pre-
senting to her husband a lovely boy; the
silken chords of affection were drawn still
closer by this first pledge of their love, and
their fervent aspirations daily ascended to
Heaven for the safety of their infant off
spring, over whose couch they hung with
unwearied patience and delight. The birth
of the little stranger seemed indeed to be
the consumation of the brightest hopes of
the mother, and a healing balm to the
wounded spirit of the father. More serene
and cheerful Lowell now divided his morn
ing between the necessary rural occupa-
tions and well-selected library; and dur
ing the afternoons relaxation in the society
of his wife, their mutual relish, for cOnnu-
bial felicity, literature and song apparently
left not moment for the faintest reminis-
cence of past adversely. As time rolled on,
the stormy misfortunes of other days inn
perceptibly vanished from the memory, and
the winged hours, as they danced by this
amiable pair, located
"On bright little isle of their own,
In a blue summer ocean far off and alone"
teemed with content and cheerfulness.
It was a fine day of June, in the third
year of their residence on this romantic
spot that Lowell proposed to his Mary as
he rose from dinner, and cast his eve upon
the inviting bosom of the waters, an after
moons pasting upon the lake, with that
prompt and cheerful acquiescence which
/ ever constitutes the most endearing charm
| of welded love. she smiled assent, and in a
r
and the white canvas of the pleasure~boat
was unfurled to the Whispering breeze. -
The serenity of the blue depths of heaven
the glittering resplendency of the sunshine
upon the waters, and the merry notes of the
! feathered songsters mong the trembling
foliage, presented, as the little bark gaiiy
sailed from the harbor. one of nature S
most echanting scenes. Rendered uncon-
scious of the passing moments by gazing
upon these transcendent beauties, or by
listening with rapturous delight to the pratt
tie of their rosy-cheeked boy, half an hour
had flown rapidly away, when Lowell open
ed Akenside's Pleasures of the Imagination.
1t was favorite poem of her he loved; and
IN thus complimenting her taste, he did no
! injustice to his own: with unusual anima-
ton and interest he read among those pas
sages which she had previously marked
|
! lowing beautiful lines:
-"Ask the faithful youth
Why the cold urn of her, whom long he loved,
So often fills his arms, SO often draws
His lonely footsteps, silent and unseen,
| To pay the mournful tribute of his tears?
Oh he will tell the that thee wealth of worlds
Should ne'er seduce his bosom to foregO
| Those sacred hours, when stealing from the noise
OF care and envy, sweet remembrance soothes
With virtues kindest looks, his aching breast,
4 And turns his tears to rapture"
AtIength he was aroused by the noise ot
the curling waves, as they broke against
the sides of the pleasure boat; and upon
raising his eyes, he observed some small,
feecy clouds gliding along the western
horizon: conscious that they were but toe
A frequently the precursors of storm, he
I directed the faithful pilot to return to the
harbor without delay: Thomas obeyed
though reluctantly, for he was always
pleasd with an opportunity of displaying
his nautical skill amid the dangers Of tenn
pest In few moments a dark cloud
made it's appearance the wind blew brisk
ly, and the azure waves, bright and spark
| ling with the broken, tremulous sun-beams
rolled careeringly by, like the gay, fantast-
ic visions of maiden as she contemplatee
her bridal day.
Lowell with calmness soothed the fears
of his trembling Mary, While he seized an
oar to assist in regaining the still distant
haven. Presently whole canopy Of the sky
was shroud and darkened with lowering
clouds; the wind in fearful gusts howIed
over the wide waste of waters-the rain de-
seended in torre1ts-and the forked light
nings played slblimely from Heaven to
earth, tinging the dark, rolling waves with
lurid CLEANS of light. Unable longer to
guide the boat over the raging pillows, Mr..
Lowell, in utter despair, abandoned his oar:
and, at the moment his arms were encircl-
ing and sustaining his lovely wife, who sat
pale and motionless, clasping her little boy
her eyes raised to heaven, silently invok-
ing Him who rules the tempest, and di-
rects the storm, the boat was overwhelm-
ed by mountain wave, and the dying ex-
clamation of my wife-my child !" was but
family audible amid the unsparing desola-