Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-17


smile when he watched her graceful mo.
tons while she played the part of hostess to
perfection.
"Mr. Wilton" said Cordelia, "Do you
know this is my birth day? Do not offer
NE any congratul stions. l can assure you
it is no pleasing rehection-one year older"
"Miss Everett, you have nothing to fear
from father Time; you have used him SO
kindly that he will give you more than he
can take."i -s--.
"You are very generous, thus to offer
me consultations Uscle," she continued as
Mr.. Everett approached, "You promised to
grant me my request, however fancifnl, 1
might make on this day. Now listen and
tremble: 1 want you to go down to Bas-
sett's tomorrow and order your portrait.
Oh! 1 knew this was the only way to get
it. You must submit. l will accompany
you each sitting to keep you in good hum
or and watch for the happy expressions"
"Ohi You have taken advantage of me.
| always intended my face should pass away
unrecorded; but it shall be as you wish"
"Have you no request to make of me,
Cordelis? l would grant 1t, were it my last
BEAU" said merry Kate Lee. Not waiting
for a reply she accepted profered arm and
was soon tripping in the gay dance.
s'Would that Miss Everett would de.
mand this tribute of all her friends" said
Harry Wilton, in tremulous tones, as they
were left alone.
"You must grant me one request" Cor
della answered earnestly; "that you never
touch that poison again." pointing to a
glass of wine he had just taken from ser
want.
"Bsfore promise, will you deign to say
why you make so strange request"
sit is long story; will relate it some
other time. You hesitate-I hope the sac
rifce is not too greAt?" she said inquiring.
ly, fearfully.
at is not. give you freely the boon
you ask. You must pardon me il l insist
on hearing the story"
'GiVe me your arm; will crafty you,"
said COrdelia. Passing through the halls,
she arrived at the garden.
Reaching one extreme corner, she en-
tered bower formed by the wild grape in
tertwining its tepdrils with the branches of
an old oak. Placing herself on a rustic
seat she silently invited her companion to
her side. The peaceful beams of the full,
round moon revealed her pale face and
buC Cu1OIlOu bllC SOllu dOb SIDOC1ls
twenty-five years ago." she began, with
an unsteady voice, ''there stood in those
halls, where all now is gaiety and mirth, a
happy, hopeful bride. Kind friends whis-
pered words of regret that she, the pride of
their circle, should past. But love was busy
in her breast, picturing home OF happi-
ness and years of domestic bliss passed with
the sovereign of her heart, whose joys and
sorrows should hencefJrsh Ee hers. Were
the life-like dreams realized? That pale
marble cleaning in the distance tells of
youthful wife aud mother laid low. Bat |,
oh! my mother, can tel of years of suffer
ing-of your pure, self-sacrifcing love. l
have seen The heavy blow fall on your de-
voted head, knowing it sunk deep into your
heart, causing a wound naught on earth
could heal. Many meurned that consump-
ton was hurrying you down to the grave,
but felt that more fatal hand had your
vitals in its grasp. You passed away, bless
ing your child. How wildly prayed you
once to gaze on me-to take me with you
from world full of darkness to ma"
"My flasher loved bis bride, but he loved
wine also! He soon found himself in the
embrace of a demon of giant strength;
though he saw it sapping his life, fame and
honor he had no power to free himself l
supported his reeling footsteps to her grave
she whom he had sworn to protect! His
remorse was intense-his grief agoniziDgi
"The wine cup offered oblivion! He gras-
ped it with eager hands and drank deeper
than before. Months passed away. In
Wretched hut in distant city lies g dying
man. Squalid poverty brooks around him.
His daughter SAT near-with fearful eyes
she saw mis- life fast drawing to close. The
storm RACES without, but its furious blasts,
though they threaten to rend the tottering
howell, do not drown the sick mans deliriOus
rawlings. Snatches of songs-the Sunny
South, where first love smiled upon him
the martyr wife-the desols5e child-burst,
in uumingled tones ofgladness and despair,
from his parched lips.
''Midnight has thrown a mantle of repose
around the child. A convulsive grasp of
the hand arouses her. The sufferer muir
INJURED holy name. With one earnest gaze
the struggling spirit was free, and was in
deed an orphanw
A silence of some moments ensued. Cor
delia's emotions forbade her speaking.
"You have bitter reasons, Miss Everett,
for hating the wine cup. You have told
your story; permit me to tell one less sad"
taking C0rdelia's hand and gazing on her
with face glowing with admiration and
tenderness.
81 have not finished" she said hurriedly.
NY mothers remains were, in after years
removed to mingle with the dust Of those
who had loved her. When l think of her
suferiDgs, and remember that thousands
are subject to pass through like Attic
tI,k hn-o
ia vain when l induce one noble
mind to make the same vow you have
this evening: for who can tell how many
hearts IS noble as my fathers have been
thoroughly metamorphosed by its witcher-
les? But, |, a delicate girl, was lie # alone
and desolste to the mercy of brutal wo-
m2n-one whose heart was unsusceptible of
sympathy or kindness. Night after night
was driven shivering and hungry to my
garnet, where l sobOed myself to sleep.
Spring came, but brought no Joy to my
heart! Mrs. Martin sent me through the
streets with bouquets of many-hued
tulips-sweet hya inths and other spring
offerings. One day was returning home
in despair, for had sold no flowers, and
knew TIL at harshness awaited me-but be-
fore reached the gate, happily for me, a
gentleman purchased one of my neat little
bouquets. In few moments as he was
repassing the house, he hsard Mrs. Mar
tins angry voice indicating that she was
committing an outrage. believe Heaven
directed his footsteps; he entered, and
Harry Wilton stretched forth his hand to
defend-Cordela Gray? On! think not,
my friend, my silence ingratitude, When
you were far away, exposed to danger by
day and night, have never failed to ask
God to watch over, in his mercy, heart
so noble. Nay my friend, my brother, will
you not receive my gratitude and blessings?"
''Not brother, Cordelia, Oh! speak it not
again. l knew not my little protege; but l
met Cordelia Everett, and saw her but to