Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-08-23

uatutSt nS WIS warm uUu S8UculeDt III MS
likes aud dislikes, and was an intense lover
of the old Dominion. Virginia was all the
world to him, and ho believed there was no
couotry under heaven her equal. Ho re-
vered the memory Of Washington, and was
firmly attached to the Union Of the Statos,
and did not believe ia Il, ,ccssion dootrioo
of Svuth Carolina. Tho conscious that
his section bad been wronged and oppressed
he thought it best toseek redress BY meth
ods that were clearly within tho pale of the
Constitution, aud wouid' not be attended
with tho perilous risk of war. But the
issue had been joined, his State had made
common cause with her Southern sisters,
and though ha did not love the Union less,
he loved Virginia more, and ho found his
fortunes inevitably cast with those of the
South.
But, though fortune had smied on John
Early, and he was blessed with every ulute
rial comfort and enjoyment of. life. he had
been very unfortunate 10 his domestic rela :
tions. Death had visited his household,
and he had drained the cup Of fsorrow to its
bitteresl dregs A few years before, he
had lost his wife, lovely ond estimnho
woman, to whom he was urdently attaohed:
and, of three children, the sweet pledges OF
their welded love, but ono was left him--an
only daughter.
Ellen Early, pow some eighteen years Of
ago, had just returned from school to her
pleasant home, u beautiful and accomplished
young lady. SLo was of medium size. pos
scssed woll rounded and symmetrical form,
and clear and brilliant complexion. Her
face was Of neither Grecan nor Roman
mould, but blending of tho chief beauties
of both-tho truest American type The
forehead was fair aud full, with exquistely
arched brows, the nosc neither too large
nor too small, was finely and delicalely
formed; the mouth was small with sound,
even teeth, as white as anbastcr; aud thin,
ruby lips, whose soft, warm, vclvety touch
would have thrilled auy ono with pleasure
who Was fortunate cnuugh to receive u kiss
from them; on the polished and elegantly
shaped chin, there still fingered some of
of the dimpcs Of childhood; her eyes, with
long, dark, silky ashes, were Of the deepest
and purest blue but so bright and spark
ling, and withul 30 changeabe, as different
emotions swept the cords of her sensitive
heart, that it was difficult to tell their pre-
cise color, hor checks were tingcd with
those roseuto hucs which perfect health
alone can give; and profusion of dark,
lustrous curls oversprcad her snowy neck
and shoulders. Her hands and feot were
small and pretty, though tho former
often moulded the balls of delicious butter,
as we'll as drew sweet sounds from the piano;
and the latter had many u time, in child
hoods glccsomc days. with other little feet,
padded in tho limpid waters Of the Massa--
ponx. No wonder Ellen was the idol of
her fathers heart and the light of his
home. In her charming society and the
bright sushino of her sweet smiles, he
seemed to forget bis sorrows, and feel that
he was not entirely deserted and alone in
tho world. She was indeed lovely and
charming creature, and her gay songs aud
merry, ringing laughter, banished grief aud
gloom from his house and heart.
But tho dark clouds of war we're
nppproaohing, and the domestic felicity of
Mr.. Early aud his gifted daughter were
destined to be of short duration. Ellen
was aware of the proximity of the hostile
armies, had noticed the soldiers with CON
ccrn and interest, and watched thom daily
as they marched through the valley. The
sight was strange and novel to her, and it
filled her maiden heart with vague and in
dclinable apprchcnsions Of danger. Her
daily duties and pleasures, however, had not
yet been interrupted, aud the comparative
quiet that,stll reigned led her to hope-tho
young are always hopeful--that oil would
turn Out well yet, and that the dangcrs that
thrcatcd them would in somc way be averted.
CHAPTER IL.