Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-11-25
A Beautiful tlaniac.

The Charleston. West Virginia Courier, re-
lates that recently on the morning tIain 'r9m
Pittsburc eastward, there was lady closely
veied. in the cars. She was dressed IN pu1est
white. wore gold bracelets and evidently be
longed the higher circlosof society. Herhgure
was delicate and exquisilely symmetrical when
she occasionally drew aside her'richly emhrol-
dered veil the glimpse OF her features which
.he beholder obtained satisfied him Of her eX-
.reme loveliness. Beside her sat gentleman
in deep mourning, who watched her with m
usual solicitude, aud several times when she
attemotcA 70 rise he excited the curiosity oi
the passengers by detAiniug her IN her sos'.
Outside the cars all was coufnsi'n; paSscn-
GERS looking to baggage, portcrs ruauing' cab
men cursns. and all the usual hurry and bus-
tle attending the departure Of q railroad iTalo.
One shrill. warning whistle from the engine
and we moved slowly away
At the first motion Of The cars the lazy 10
white started % her feet with one heart-piefc-
ing scream and her bonnet falling Oh disclosed
the most lovely features ever contempltted.--
Her raven trcsses fell over her shonidefS-
Llaspiug her hand, in PRAYER she turned he'
dark ewes 90 heaven What agony was IN
tha. look What beauty. too what heavenly
beauty. had not s. much Of misery been
stamped upon it. Alas that one glance told
a melancholy tale.
Her brother, the gentleman in black, was
unremi,ting in his efforts to scat her. lie lei
her back 10 her seat; but her hair was s1'I
unbound, and her beauty unveiled The cars
ratified on, and the passengers 10 groups ie'
sumed their convers ,liors. Suitcnly mei9'
~ arose /, was the beautiful mauiac's voice,
rich full and inimitabe Her hands were
crossed on her hcaving bosom aui Sac waved
her BODY as she sang with touching pataus-
She is far from the land where her young hero
sleeps,
And lovers are around her signing,
But cody she turns from the grave and
For her heart In HE grave is living
She sings the Wild song Of her dear native
Eyery note which he loved awakng
All! liitle they think, who delight IN her
strains.
How the heart Of the minstrel is breaking
Her brother was unnamed, and wept IS
! only man eau weep
She then sang a fragment Of beautiful
hymn
Jesus lover Of my soul.
Let me 10 thy bosom ny.
! Another attempt 10 rise no was prevented
and she threw herself on her kuees beside her
brother. aud gave him such mournlul, en-
| treating look, with pAutivc Save ne
! brother save your sister y that scarcely
passenger could refrain from weep
ing. We say scarcely for there was
one man ives lie mau u who
called on the conductor TO "pu, her ont OF the
car" He rectived the scorn Of the company
! His insensiblity to such a scene Of distress Al
/ most defes belief aud ye. this is In every
narticuar an "oIe true tale" Should ho
/ ever read these lines may his marble heart be
softened by the recollection of his brutality.
! Again the poor henigbicd beauty raised hei
voice to one OF the most solemo. sacred airs,
ooh! where shall rest be found,
Rest for the weary SOUL
and continued her melancholy chan; until wo
reached the steamer Mount Vernon, on board
Of which we decendel The magnificent james
rver. Ills was a SORROW TOO profound ior ordl'
nary consolation. aud no one dare in,rude s'
far upon his grief as to satisfy their curiosity.
We were standing 90 the promenade deck,
admiriug the beautiful scenery Of the river,
when at cne Of the landings the small boat
pulled away with the unhappy pair ior
: The asylum al -. She was standing erect
the stern Of the boat, her head still uncover
ed. aud her snow dress and raven ucsscs Hut
tering TO the breeze. The boat returned md
the steamer moved on for Norfolk. They
were gone that brother with his broken heart
that sister with Der melancholy union OF bcau-
ty aud madness.