Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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1^'* ''*** '*"''' ' " ^^*>< ""'***"' ^ ?--???, "*" ^ ^ " S'^'^ ^ ^ ^ *' ^ ^ ^ ^ *" " 'i^^'*"* I" "* ' '*" ?? " !? ?. - HI'.mlM I IMI I II I I I w?l?????C?? ??!? ?^??.-^?g>???^?? $2 PER ANNUM s;y,:,^t',;i;.:'^^:?,:;v,:""5;^;^y- IN ADVANCE A .Jniiiilg nnit ^.'nlitiral i'rraspnprt?Pfiulrii tu Hit 3lrts, frirottii, i'ilrtntntf, fiiutntinu, Agriraltwr, 3ix!rruol 3inpnnituitnt5, .tfavtigu mil Porataitc jtos, nnl tip Blnrkfts. VOLUME V. LANCASTER, C. 11, SOUTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUNE 4, 1856 NUMBER ifi body itiitl spirit together, are gradually loosened, and iliiit tvliilo its frail tenement is decay iug, lite t??ul i> pluming it* wing tor its homeward High'. '1 lie mental vi- | si?n seems clearer and stronger; the ideas ' are purer arid loftier; and the views in re- M gard to futurity are clearer and more com '' prehotiftive; as if the pin,lied, spiritual ^ vision were piercing tin? misty veil which ' hides the wrorl J beyond tlto grave.'" ' As Annie read on, with a voice tremulous with enthusiastic feeling, Mis. Leighton gazed upon her thoughtfully and anx- '' iousHf. Never before, she tlioiighl, had > site appeared so lovely. She was half re ^ dining on the sofa, with the sole white drapery falling gracefully around her slen- il der figure, her bead supported by one ,r hand, while the bare arm, over which fell a cloud of brown curls, seemed almost ; ll transparent in contrast with the rich crim- i M sou cushions. Her fair face was faintly Hushed with excitement, and Iter eyes *' lighted up with new brilliancy. Itut a 0 painful thrill alio: through the fond moth ur's heart. She knew that Annie had l' np\'f?r lx'i?n tilrA*\r? ot\.l I ?* M ..... ...xi iuuu.il , uiil <iit;ii nlio was rarely ill, ami tlie tltoup^lit lliat l' her darling child could die, had never se I c riously presented itself to lu-r mind ; and P many ivcro the bright dreams of her heau- c< tiful child's futuro life, in which she had n indulged. Hut the sudden nnd singular ( ei remark of the young girl, had awakened a i * new and painful thought. She reinein- !il bercd with a feeling of alarm, that, *1- '3 though Mr. Leighton himself seemed perfeetly healthy, several of his family, inciud- 84 ing two young and lordVlisten, had died M of consumption : and it had often been re , a marked that Annie bore a striking rc*em ( " Llance to these sUteis. Mr. leighton " aceined gralitieu with this, and often when | " he played with (be child's sunny cur's, and 1 l' lot .km! into lior u.ft ! ~l. ' 1 -w, .nwugiiiiui eyes, nn 1 felt that he loved her mor?; deeply, l?e- i c* cause she wasao mueli like the loved ouch " he l?R?i lo*t. She IiriI always been n quiet j chilli, with ? llioughtl'iilnei* of chararter w ?n<l ? precocity of intellect fur beyond her '' yearn, often astonishing her friend* hy the liejith and \ igor of her reasoning and the " liiRturity of her idea*; and this had been c< n source of gratification to them ; but now c' it only increased the mother's anxiety ; and while the looked on the lovely girl K also had been the pride and joy.of her >1 life, h vision of a pale, shrouded form and A n dark grave, row! In-fore her, and an in- L, voluntary prayer went up from her heart. o< "Oh, mother," said Anr.io, " who would h not l>? wining to suffer ll?: dreaded db <1 case, if tbe soul conid be ti:us elevated, and purified, and filtt?d fof the cominunio!i L of angels I \\ hen I die, let it las of con II sumption !' an J her young (ac$ wpre an h expression of deep fersor, n 9 I -? ' v '' Costnliou /nut. |> . * FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND TRUTH, j ft DV AN OL>n-FKM.OW. s When earth wns formless, void nnd drear. liod's spirit over the deep did move ; I \ 11 in vo'icj commanded to appear, t And man to live,?that voice was Love. | | jli \\ hen neath the night of sin and shame I Ami worldly wants, creation bent ; j i Friendship inspired a holy flame, ; |, And Christ, the Comforter, was so it. s I I W ith <Iod to love, Clirist to hefri- lid, f, And Holy Wiit to yield n* light, I e llou can we fail t-> comprehend, | ll 'J'he rule of ch.,rity :.ml rightI I I V Ileav? nward we look, high is our aim, ^ h And l.ove the rock on which we rest; v Let Friendship keep our souls the same, j And Truth illuuie each brother's breast l" I r Cod! our -Treat master! teaeh us o'er .... \ Tt?y Fi i> '.dship.Love and Truth,fo trust; i ' Mo shall we meet without a fear, The hour that gives lis hack to dust. " j a 3. trlrrtrii ?\m\. < ANNII*: IjKICi11T0N 11V LI/.ZIK AI.LI'X, '' o " M l.l.er, 1 think | should like to die ot ? con-sumption!' r 'i'h.- speaker was a fragile, delicate girt } ot foili teen. Why, Annie, what a strange idea I W hat pin tint into your head I" And ' Mrs. Le gliton looked tiji nl her daughter wth a wondering expression. " 1 have l?eeii leading the experience of " one win* had the eoiisuuiptioii. Just listen to what he says. 'The consumptive, : when fieo from the nioio <r.s.resting nc- i ? compuuimctil* of the disease, especially if Ik: spt-mls n.ucll of his lino- in the op?-i> w air, vxjt' ii.-uifi* h surprising buoyancy ami 1 elasticity of spirits. cit w Inlo the - '' u? uf ilcalh is tlarkciiiug his patli\\.iy, In- 11 is not gloomy ami depressed. The away ' of the gross nnimnl imlure grows weaker ' as the body weak ma ; w hile Lire higher | attribute* jt the soul gather mnv \ig.ir.?- ^ It seems, iinlecJ, as it (lie ties which hin.l <1 - lum (VI rk Hill u that ficore." "True; but after her strange wish, an ?o subsequent strange conversation lin roused my fears, I remembered a book i ^?e library which treats ol hereditary di< iscs; and as the idea tiiat Annie migli ottibly have inherited a predisposition t onsomplion, had entered my mind, I 01 mined it. The author says that the di> ase often lies dormant in one generatior ltd dcvelopea itself in the next, and tha , can bo controlled and held in check or I by the strictest atteniioii to the laws i callb. lie also gives a very minute d< . ripi >n of lliose persons most liable to b (Tected by it. K?>r inalnnco, a very fai nd clear complexion, flushing instants county w lb the least exercise or excilt rent; an Imperfectly developed chcei nd unusual precocity of intellect; and ? ... irp fcM r%IIII|l', " \V?'II, 1 cannot see any very grea *u?e fur alarm. .She is never very ?i< L n<l h.tn iu> cough." " Yea ; l?ut thou she ? not strong ; am lien ?ho take* cold, alio is ulwuy* iron le<l witli cougli and hoarseness." " * >f?, you inutn'i distress yourself w uich about Iter!'' said Mr. heighlon, en ouragingly. " I tl.ink, if re uko g004 are of bor, tliero is no danger." Hut Mn. Leighton wa? not .alUfied In- studied the best works on the disea* le so much dreaded ; and her care 0 .ruiie'i heaUh was redoubled. And Mr ,eighton, although he would not acknowl Jgij even to hirnielf that his wife's fear ad any foundation, watched hie idolize* luld with anxious solicitude. Two jtars pavtCd awry, ?ud Anirit *igtiton was a tall, giaeeful maiden ? lor mind had developed itself '.villi *Mon liing rapidity and power; but the body of gaining strength ifM still frail " My child, why do you talk so ?" sal drs. Leiglitoii suilly. " It pains mo 1 hink ol the possibility of death for ni Vntiie. Are you not well/" "Oh, yes, mother, perfectly well!" an he sprang lightly to her mother's sid mpiessmg a kiss on her check, and the eating herself on an ottoman at her fee aid her head in her lap. "Then, why do ton talk so much al?ot lying I" asked Mrs. I^eighton, smoolhin he shining hair hack from the high Ion lead, and w hiding it in glossy curls arotm ler lingers. " 1 don't talk of it half as often at hinkof it. 1 never look over u beaulilt audscape, or listen l<> a burst of rich mi to, without thinking how much mm icautiful and glorious Heaven must be or you know, ' eye hath not seen, lit ar heaid, neither hare entered into ill lemI of uiiin the tilings the l'athei hat iiepare.l for them that love Him an iImmi I think of this, I feel as if I con' cave ev rything here, if I could only lit villi Jesus and the angels." The sunlight, tempered by the rose on red cuitaius, fell around the slight, w hit obod figure like a soft halo, lighting u lie fair, pure face with a pale lu trc ; an Irs. l.cightou, awed by the words an a mn rr t>t" the child, so spiritual and c! l ed, felt almost as if in the presence < n angel. " lias consumption been hereditary i our family ?" she impiired ol her hit and when they were alone that eveuiiij " I don't know. 1 never thought abut 1. Let mo sec. My inotber died of cot umptioii, and Wiiliam, and Lizzie, an tunic," lie said sadly. "Ami I liav card that my mother's mother, and on r two of Iter sisters died of the same cli .He. Yes, it certainly hue bocn herediti y in my mother's family. ]?ul why d on ask f" " 1 led trouhlcd about Annie." "Why ? Is she unwell?" asked M icigliion, anxiously. " No; but she talks so strangely, for icro child, altout dying; and to day sh fished she might die of Consumption." "Oh, is that ail?" he replied, laughing " It is only some foolish whim she li; ot in her head; slio will soon forget it. " 1 think not. fshe very often speak 111 a strange calmness about dyinj hough it never stru k ma so forcibly 1>< ?re. Sim is much more thoughtful tha :osl i biklien of her IIL'I'. Have l oil in othvd lite sinprising vigor and depth ? < 1 mind, so rare in one so young!" " \ es, very often. Bui what of ihftt iisrely thai isn't a sign she is going ( ie.' 1 . " I don't know. Fruits which ripe hi lies', ilecav soonest. And then, !t< clieate, fragile bi-autv?" * Wliy my dear," interrupted M .eioliton, cheerfully, wishing to disp'-l It rite's sadnes?, " jcu seem deterutir.ed l dink tlint our darling Annie is at Death oor. For myself, instead of seeing nnv Iting very alarming in Annie's beauty, el proud of it." ' So do I; but you know the fa ire; oarers arc Irailesl; and I cannot lie! taring that Annie will share lite fate t our sisters, whom she so much rcsem !es." Mr. Leighton snt silent and thoughlfi few minute*, and thou said, as if spent tg to himself? ' My father'* family were not consnrnj ve, and I ain as healthy as any one nd your family," turning to his wif. were never troubled with this disease ) 1 don't think vv? u<>a.I f.??- a,...: ill ( Exceedingly beautiful washer young face, .u 1 so very fair ami clear, with such a faint, y rosy glow on the soft, round cheek ; such | dark, lustrous eyes, and glossy brown d curls, sh ading the almost transparent neck e, and blow ; but the thoughtful observer n felt a painful foreboding in gazing on that t, delicate face and slight form. I "Oli, Annie, don't set in a;:ch a strong it i current of air !" exclaimed Mrs. Leighton, g coming into the parlor. The day had a- 'been excessively warm and sultry; hut d towards evening, a hank of dark clouds rolled up in the we?t, ami a coo! breeze 1 sprang up. Annie had drawn a chair to il ; the open window, to enjoy the refreshing i- i air, and watch the masses of silver fl ing'o cd clouds, as they rose in fantastic, overit ' changing foiin*, illumined now and then >r bv flashes of vivid lightning. ie She had been seated thus some lime, nh!i >ibed in contemplating the scene, w hich d became every moment more grand and d imposing, w In n her mother's voice aroused 0 her. "I don't think it will hurt me; the 1 heat has been so very oppressive, and this ,e cool sir is so very invigorating." p "1 know it, my dear; but you take j ?J J cold so very easily, you should be careful d | how you expose yourself." c- Annie moved reluctantly away bom th?? >f J window ; for the rising storm bad a I >sci- ! I nation tor one w ith her <piiek appreciation n ! and strong love of the beautiful and sub? | lime. j. " Are you not well J" inquired her it ! mother the next morning, as Annie drop I- ped her needle wot k, and leaned her bead d I wearily on tin* sofn-pillovs. Her eyes had c ! n glassy brightness, and her cheeks a a- deeper tlush lliuu usual. ? I "Not riuile wadl," she answered. " 1 i- | have a slight head ache, and mi throat i? o I a little sore; but 1 shall Sec! better after I nut." I "You had better not go out today.? r. i The ground is so damp after the rain, and ; I inn sure you took cold sitting at the j a 'open window last evening." e " Perhaps so, and I will stay in, if you j think best; but I should love to lake a j. long ramble," said Annie, looking over : I " Yes, possible!" emphasizing the la>t , I word, am! the physician look hi* leave. ; I In a daikenod room, where sea ret* a e whisper broke lite deep silence, lav Annie ' heighten in a heavy clumber, which >1 seeiucd ihe stupor of death. The face, so ; il pale and still in its calm rep<>se, the thin, | n white hands resting on the counterpane, , j- the lignie lying so perfectly motionless? it j all spoke ot death. It was only by the j 0 J faint, almost imperceptible breathing, that [ | life revealed itself. Hour nficr hour the i- parents sat watching and pray ing silently i i, beside her. At last, there win a long 1 drawn sigh, a alight movement of the ! i hands. And Annie oja-ncd her eyes. if " Mother, are yon here I" 1- " Yes, darling, but don't talk, you are e very weak," and tears of joy and thanks- ' ir giving swelled into the parents' eyes.? L i- The sliadow of death which had darkened !- the household had passe 1 awn*. . Weeks , I, Wi lli by before Annie took her pla -o in II j the parlor, and then she was but the shad! iiw of her former selk so pale, ami feeble, it ami languid, had l?<r violent illness left her. Slowly the winter with its storms j ami chilling winds passed by, and when I the warm airs of spring-time awoke the - birds and flowers, Annie was better. Her pyo grew bright, thofaint glow came back ? to hor cheek, and her feeble stop regained j its elasticity. She wa? even more cheer- 1 j i ful and animated than formerly, ami rn- 1 turned to l???r old |>ur?iMlH and recreation* ( with redoubled enjoyment, it "Annie really soetm atrongei and l?.t- , f U?r llian before Lor illnes*," said Mr. Lcighlon to hi* wife, n? they stood oil the | . piazza, watching their beloved daughter | a* bite rode gaily along the gravelled car i i; igc- way. " Ye*, I think her health i* perfectly j restored;" and a<? ? tear* *|.r.t:>g to her - eye*, nho murmured, "lf;?w very bcauti \ fair f It \v*4 Imleed a beautiful picture. An-J , t\i?? bad paused beside ihe old rardenei^ ' n the green lawn, yiilli rin.? in tin; morning [ Minligl.t if K)i\n wiili diainoixU, an<l . -.o > tlitn glancing at a liro.nl licit < | woodland, I. I licr lavoriln riniin ? l.l-.l. II ? II lilt* III' II 4 ?- melody of bird iiiuMi* came Hunting on the ii ! air. it "If you feel well enougli, you can go A out in tho carriage ih.it afternoon," sa.d her mother. l?ut she did nut feel well } enough then, io>r f..r seteral ?1 t\ ? aftero wardn. Such attacks were hy no means j rare. Tltu least exposure gate her a vio- | n lent cold, from which she recovered, with r out nectning seriously inj iied,'tis tiue, L.it every attack weakened tlio def< nccs of the r. citadel of life. is 44 Doctor, do you think she can recover?" j 0 Mrs. Deightoii spoke in a voice oi t mod 's calmness ; hut it w as easy to seu that iter t heart was tided with deep emotion. 1 44 My dear madam," sai i the benovo lent looking physician, taking her hand. >t "I will he candid with you. Your daughp . ler is in a very criticul situation, and the ; A probability of her recovery is slight; yet, l I hare attended those who tallied when real v in more danger than she is xt prcsil nt." c- 44Then you think it possible for l.er to recover f" exclaimed Mrs. Leigh ton, ea? fforly. i. aiki vjrou >i?ail wipqaway all 1 teai a from their eyes, and there shall he I no mere death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there he any nure pain."? "And they shall see His face, and His name shall ho in their foreheads." " And there shall ho no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun ; for the Lord (iod givelh thein light, and they shall reign forever and ever." " For this corruptible must put ou incorruption, and this inoiiai mas', put on immortality." " W hy should I fear death V siic would sometimes say ; " it is only a pleasant journey home. The dark valley seems not da.'k to me; for has not J?'sus passed through it, and illumined it by His pre?.euec? Surely I should not fear to walk ! where I'have His footsteps to guide me." 1 ) ?v by day she grew tlonnerand paler; but Iter eye ntul cboek were blight with I the iire which was destroying iter. Thore was an airy lighlnes*, a gay cheerfulness in her tones and inanrer, which awoke transient hope* of returning health in all ! hearts but her mother'* and Iter own.? At times, there was an indescribable something, almost like a lofty inspiration about j her?as if the Veil which separated the mortal from the immortal, were being rent asunder, and I ho spirit were revealing itself palpably ? and a far-seeing wis- ( "Join and spirituality ii .?er expressions, which awed lho,e who listened to her.? | i if mu-ie v|i,} had ever b< <-n exceedingly | f ml ; and when, from nervous restlessness !u r night* were sloop'.e*-, the household ' was often arou?rs| by low, ?oft music, ris ing a-, the iwrfornier's fee'jngs wanned. ' wlio was busy arranging :v rustic basket f.tr (lowers; and with lior straw hat thrown back, allowing her bright eurls to fail over Iter fair neek, her cheek flushed with exercise, ami Iter eyes sparkling with happiness; she was conversing pleasantly, while with ea>y gracefulness she curbed the beautiful animal, who scented proud of Iti.s fair burden. I>ut summer canto with its long, sultry days, and the heal had a more debilitating effect on Annie than ever before.? She often rose, languid and restless, with a bright red spot on her check, and when questioned, complained of i slight pain in j her side, and a little difficulty in breathj ing. Still, site had mo cough, and Iter parents, though troubled and apprehensive, were not seriously alalined; she scented to recover from these slight itulis | positions sr. quickly, and enjoyed such a lb>w of spirits. <'110 w arm, fuggy morning, she had risen feeling more than usually etierxatej. She had lain on the sofa a long time with closed eves, ami her mother thought she was asleep. She bad, almost uncon?eiouslv, been w it hug Ani nie, and she could discern a slight altera lion in In-r face. It bad recently h'st some of its fullness, and seemed paler, oxCej t that the cheeks wore a deeper crimson, than formerly. lite brow too was slightly c 1 >11'r.u'ted, as if from suU'ciing; and a puit.f .1 foreboding lliritled the mother's heart. The shadow- of evil which had \ ear* before crossed her path, Itow retained duiker and le nvi T ih.in ever; and leaning In r head upon lor ho I.^-.e-ut lull hitter teats fell fast upon her work. " Mother," said Annie, without opening her eve*, " I don't think 1 shall l;ve long." j "Why, inv child? what makes you think so l" asked Mrs. l.< g! l-ui, forcing , hack tl.c tents, and sliding to speak calmly. | ' I cannot tell, only I have had that impression a long time. I feel it down I deep ill inv heart." I ' It i- because you fee! w- ik and low spirited. When the le>* v. .'her i- over, you will be web," said Mi-. I.eightoti, encouragingly; bat her heart did Hot echo her word*. " No, niother, ?! ? not deceive yourself, there ate mystciioit- sh id 1 ving- and prein niiti >ns, known ate! understood onlv bv the inner spirit, which t'-ii me that the shadows ( f the da:k vall.-v aie I _ nmng to close nroat.d me. I'.ut f.,i incdetrii i ....J t'l nil l>. .1 is rilllicr a l'ii^lit angel, \\ I i> w il! ft?. in\ . pi: ii fr< til the deha- ing influences \\ Iiii-li Ifln.l il down to sin and unholiness, iittil . pen to it the port tils of Heaven. < ?!i, death, whcieisthv sting! < >li, grave, where is thy ?iclorv !' " She had half risen from Iter reclining position while speaking, and there was a look of such lofty t.uih in ii> r lustrous1 e\ ( <, and a tone of mi.Ii deep soh-uiuitv in lici Voice, tloit Mi I.cighloii felt il w?>11 !< 1 he almost sinful to j^iv iv iy to the grief which w as struggling in lo r heart. From that moment in her secret soul, she. looked upon h->r daughter as one drawing near t* the tonih. As the summer and autumn wore awnv, Annie grew weaker, hut as vet she sutler ed little, and as the body waxed feehler, the spirit seeined to hecomo more pure mid spiritual. Wiien her strength permitted, she still engaged in her accustom- j ed pursuits with undiminished delight, aid seldom "p' ke of her failing health ; hut when she did, it was evident that the . great change that awuite I her, engaged I a Urge share of her thoughts. And the I passages mark d in her little l'ohlo showed this. " In my Father's house are many mansions. If it wero not so, I would have i told you. 1 go to prepare a place lor )ou. j And if I go and prepare a place for you, I j wnl conn# again, and receive von unto .ire I- i ' " into strains of thrilling, enthusiastic pow- . or, until it seemed as if the soul were pour- ? j ing itself out in song. When apprchen- i | sions were expressed, that the exertiort ' and agitation might prove injurious, she < | would answer? 1 ".No; it gives inc strength. It brings 1 before inc a vision of the home to which i I am hastening; where the angels str'ke their harps to the grand chorus swelling out around the throne of l*od?1 Alleluia! , for the Lord < Jod Omnipotent rcigucth!'" And although those solemn strains pealing out on the silence of the night, awoke tears and sorrow, they also brought a soothing consolation to the stricken ones ! who listened. Winter catnc round again;! I and the cough, which had been so slight I a-, scarcely to attract attention, became 1 more distressing. and Annie was confined j to the bou-e. Still, her sufferings in the | ; intervals of coughing, were not set ere; and j j many happv hours were spent in lli* : society of those she loved; for, although < j a shadow re-tod on their hearts, they could i ! not feel so keenly, the separation they i i knew musi eoine soon, while Annie was < 1 so cheerful and happy. " Mother," she said one day, holding | j up a long shining curl she had severed j from her head, " when 1 am gone, you i J may give tiii.-. t< Henry Warner." * I Mis. Lcightou looked up, imjuiringly. "I see von are surprised," said Annie, smiling faintly. " 1 \\i!I tell you why 1 I w ish t oil to give him this. Last spring, i you remember, lie often called to take me out; and i perceived with sorrow that he i entertained a warmer atf ctioti than mere l friendship forme. Stilt, 1 could not,con si-teiitly with maidenly reserve, ncuiiaint 1 I him with my feelings on the subject, nor j could I ivfu.se hi* delicate attentions witji- ; 'out seeming tudeness. At length he 1 | tna>le the avowal I <o much dreaded ; and , | then I told him of my solemn conviction, i j that my da\s were numbered, and that j it would he worse than folly to encourage , :tti iiil'-iiiKii which must bo change I into J i | i crushing sorrow by my early death; and j then In* |ih>:i<| with tearful earnestness I I I that lie might he permitted to soothe my I i | dying hours; hut I felt that it would he | ' ; crm', if not sinful, to shadow the bright ! iif^s of Ins y nmlite with a grief which woul I he tea-fold more keenly felt, if he > slio'.i! t MpesiJ his time in my society, i ' ! strengthening the holy lies of affection, j i oti'y to have them snapped rudely asun j der: so 1 was linn, and 1 think 1 was i ris'it." Annie's voice quivered a little, and a tear hung on the long eyelashes. Hut i I tears fidi fast on the work Mrs. Leigh ton i held in her hand. j -My, ?-M>r child, tlii) you not suffer too' ; in this separation { Had you no affection I | for him ?" i "II I were not destined lo bo the bride of heath, I could find happiness in loving i him,"answered Annie, in a low voice.? j I j " Cut l he parting was far less painful to I both then, than it would be now." i Mi>. I.eighton looked in wondering ad- I .... . I miration ?>n the trail, fading girl, who had i shown such lirmness in the noble sacrifice I ! she lot 1 made; and taking the tress of h lir, >. | laid u, wet with tears, in Annie's little box t I i ut clioi a) treasures. i " 1 should like to live til! the leaves and j (lowers come again," said Annio, looking , 1 out on the brown lawn, now bathed in , < the soft *u..light of an early, quiet spring ' t day. Mrs. J.eigbton gathered some deli- ! i c ite tea rose-buds and scented geraniums t from the window-plants, and laid thorn on j the pillow. f " < tli! these are beautiful!" she exclaim- . I ed, looking up with a bright smile in her > mother's face; " hut tliev are poor prisoners hke ntyself: and I love the hardy J wild-flowers better. There is an idea of j freedom and indeiiendenee connected u.itl> tin-in ; pushing up their green leaves and ' f bright blossoms through the cold brown 1 earth, in spite of chilling winds and hoary 1 < fr??t. Hut;" she added somewhat sadly,' t "I shall never gather tlicm again." I K She lay silent, gazing out at the deep I | blue sky, whose brightness was partly | veiled by !'ght fleecy clouds. ! | "Oli, the earth is so beautiful !" and n t tear fell on the pillow*, " but," she exclaim-! t ed, clasping her thin hands, while iier t pale fice and brilliant eyes lighted up _ with an expression of enthusiastic devo- | tion; "how much inoro beautiful must * heaven bo, where the Lord Jesus unveils s his radiant glory." f " Filled with delight, my raptured soul ' < Would here no longer stsv ; I < Though Jordan's wa* cs around me roll, | Fearless I'd launch away!"' April, with its sunshine and showers < was passing by, and the invalid grew daily ? more feeble. Still she suffered little pain; s only an insensibly ir creasing languor, t which attccterl Ihu trail body alone, for y the spirit eeeined to catch the inspiration , of immortality, as it nearcd th'o portnlH of j eternal life. I?aily, a carefully arranged t hornet of delicate wild flower* was laid on t her pHlow, mingled sometimes with richer f and rarer hlofsoins, wh<>?? language told , a tale of devoted affection. , "<?h, I know," she would exclaim, i 'whve these were gathered. These pure < now drops came from the mossy scat, at I the f<n>t of the old onk, where { pi ruled theni; and those fragile little wind dowers grew under the chimp of laurel ; and these tjolets I doom h<vd fe the little brook.**- i And sometimes a shadow of sadness stole < >ver her face, as if the thought of leaving I jo much beauty were painful. I " Who gathers these floweret" she ask- ! ad one day, after looking a long time at a i beautiful boquct, the language of which < was, " Faithful until death." I "Can you not guess)" said her mother 1 with a sad smile. I Annie's paleface flushed, and her eyes I were dim with tears, as she murmured, " 1 hoped he had forgotten." I She was silent awhile, and then said, in a low tone ? " Mother, when you see that I am dying, let him come; and, mother, keep these flowers ho brings, and put them with the hair 1 gave you." " Yes, darling;" and tlie mother turned away to hide the blinding tears. May came, and the silver buds swelled into leaves, and the orchards were laden with fragrant blossoms. The landscape nn which Annie's eye rested, was no logger brown and cheerless. The gushing j Jong of birds came through the open win- 1 flows from the green woodland; the smooth lawn was carpeted with soft grass ; the garden was bright with the flowers she had planted; and the graceful willows she loved so well, waved their light branch es l?ef*. re her w indows. One day she had been unusually cheerful, ller eyes were bright, her cheek flushed ; and a very j faint hope that she was better trembled j in Iter parents' hearts. " Annie, my love, do you not feel betteij < rtnfl stronger?" inquired Mrs. Leigh ton, ihe invalid, supported by pillows, gazed . 1 with a smile of delight on the skv, now i brilliant with the varying glory of sunset.! " Yea, mother; the weary traveler al i ways feels happier w hen almost home." " < >h, Annie, my child ! if we could keep i you here !" ami the tears fell last on the tliin, white ham! her mother held. " Annie, mv daughter, how can I rrive i you up!" atiij the father's strong frame shook with suppressed emotion. "Can you wish to keep me away from heaven i?away from God ? Let tne go i-heeifully, for God hath called me!? Thorn is a voice in my soul, which tells mo that even now I he shadow? of the dark valley are closing around me; but," she added, looking upward with an expression of reverence and love, " ' I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thv staff they comfort me.*" S'ight came softly down, with her dark blue skies, and myriads of glittering stars; but still there was no very decided change in Annie; and her mother urged her to ? i rest. ' N'o, mother; I shall never sleep again. 1 Them shall be no more night for me ; for 1 lie glory of the Lord will be the light of my home." Henry Warner came, and knelt in an ; *gony of anguish beside her ; but the sub I 1 inie taith, the fervent love, the holy calm I 1 iwss, seeming to gather strength as the lies -f mortality were loosened, awed even I the deep grief of his breaking heart; and J no sound of pas-ion ate weeping disturbed j | ll'o 'lying one. Willi her own cold hand she gave him the little keepsakes she had j 1 treasured for him ; whispering words of ' i.tleciion and hope, which, in after life, 1 w ry the still, small voice which cheered !iim onward in lift's battle. Slowly a ' . hange came over her ; and with words of j ' triumphant joy, mingled with the sobs | ' nd l?itter weeping of tl?>?se around her, ;he spirit went home just as the stars were filing in the kindling ski*. Joy for the reed soul, lost to us in the brightness oi l leaven, as the stars are lost in the l?rilli- j nice of morning ! FAT MEN. ( hir greatest writers have been little, itteiinr.ted men, stomach less, meager' mil lath like beings who have half spirit-1 lalized themselves by keeping matter in | lue subordination to mind corporally tea- I fviiig that the sword has worn out the . eabbard, and that the predominant soul ' ins "o'er informed its tenement of clay." | a>.?k at the busts and portraits of Cicero, j Voltaire. I'ope and a bun-j Ired others, whose minds have meagred i heir bodies I'll they became almost as ; ?boreal as the ardent spirit they enshrine ?is it not manifest thai they have the rue form ami physiognomy of intellects i il pre euiiiiciite ' Lord llyron never wrote | iO well as when lie was macerating him- j elf by rigid abstinence ; and the most ; snrinentof our living writers are all men if I 111 tw?m li* livit.if onil ?? *n* ? I - ?i' ? ' - 1 - winy t labit. A corpulentintellortualist is a con- ^ .radiction in IcnnR, h pa] pablccatacl tresis, f )ne might a* well talk of a laden kite, a ,edentary will o tbo wbp, a pot bellied ipirit of lazy lightning. Obesity is a < leadly foe (j genius, in carneout and un- , wieldly bodies lite spirit is liko a little ' , gudgeon in a large frying pan of fat, | < which it either totally alworbed, or tastes : , if nothing but the lard. Lot no man nt- , ;empt to write who has a protuberant1 ttomach; let nt> man reckon upon immortality who canno', distinctly feel and reckin his own ribs for the thinnest bow shoots the fsrlherest, and the leanest, horse generally wins the race. If I were a publisher, I should invaiialdy tight shy of the "fair round l?sily with good capon lined," and immediately offttr a hsnd*on?? price to the Living Skeleton for his memoirs. Tb.'V would have a run and they would deserve it; for wo may be assured that they would exhibit none of the falts pointed out in my motto. All bone, muscle ?nd nerve, they would be doubly acceptable to a public which lias lately been overwhelmed with such a mass of flesh, fat and flummery. Nothing fat ever enlightened the world ; for even in the tallow candle the illumination springs from the thin wick. In the mysterious reciprocal ac'ion of the mind upon the body, and of the body upon the mind, it is impossible to say how intimately the mere quality of our food without reference to its quantity, may affect everything we write. By tho longing for some diversity of diet w e may even plausibly explain the various characters, of national literature. The writings of a Frenchman, habitually livmg upon soupe maigrc, a vulnu vent, and an omelette, graced with Chnplisor Chainpaigne will be naturally light mercurial, playful, sparkling and frothy; while those of Englishmen, dining upon beef and plum pudding, made into a quagmire w ith port and porter, will he of a more solid texture perhaps, but gross, ponderous grave and plethoric. By eating sour krout, tho tjormans have become a nation of critics; waler/.ooje and red herrings are legible in every line of the Dutch literature ; macaroni and vermicelli have imparted their own frivolous and unsubstantial character to the writings of the Italians; while from the w ild birds and wild beasts which constitute the prevalent food of the north, w o may plainly deduce tho singular wildness of the Scandinavian mythology and poetry. Bearing those incontrovertible lads in mind, let every author endeavor to adopt his food to the nature of his intended composition ; above all under every circumstance, attending to that golden rule of Milton, who exemplified in his works the glorious result of his own recommendation. Well observe That rule of not too much by temperance taught, In what thou cat'st and drink'st, socking front thence Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight." ALMOST FATAL. About two weeks ago, a somewhat trivial difficulty having originated between two of our citizens, a challenge passed, but at that time w as not accepted. The party considering himself injured, continued brooding over his imagined wrongs until wrought up to a pitch of desperation, and a second challenge was passed and accepted. Some of our mirthloving young men soon got wind of what was upon docket, and determined to have a little sport. It was by no means a tedious job to arrange the jtrrliminariea between the bcligeraut parties, and very soon the following programme was adopted as the order of the exercises. The parties were to met on Tuesday at 3 o'clock, 1\ M , each accompanied by a second with a double barreled sho'. gun?the place?the brickyard near town, and the distance forty paces. Arri ving upon tho ground, a proposition was made to the parties to submit their dittlsulty to a Hoard of Honor to adjust and the proposition met with the approval of the party injured, but the challenged parly concluded that as long as he had been put to the trouble of preparing for the en:ounter, he would prefer taking a shot.? A request was then made by ibe seconds to be allowed the privilege of choosing asiistants, which was granted, It devolved ipon one of the assistants to give the word, and after tLe principals had been placed, he stopped forth with all thegravty of a Judge about to pronounce sent;nee upon a criminal, and in the most sol mm mm impressive tones lie announced lie fact, that it was then "his meUucholly luty to give the command wliieh would end one or both into eternity." The ?uns were then handed them, loaded w ith >owder alone, and the word given. At he word ono, both purlin fired, when t ho challenged party fell ns ihough moitally sounded. One of the assistants having previously placed a red scarf in his hat ran in to the prostrate man and placing his at upon his hreast suffered the soart ta l>oeome visible. The chsllerger seeing his ami supposing that he had in iicted i mortal wound, fled with great preciptancy an<l has not sinee been beard of.?? \s the chronicler of this event, it become* >ur duty, in fact, justice imperatively de* Hands that we should say that both paries acted with much bravery throughout he whole affair. The wounded man is n a fair way to rooover.? True C'arofitii* nan. A new metluxi is now adopted by ladies >f a 'certain age,' to obtain life partners.\n intellectual, pleasant looking, prettily bessed female, just turned of thirty, ia vests twenty-five cents for a daguerreotype of her own sweet self, which she carefully drop* on the sidewalk of a crowded strecU Somebody picks it up, finds out the ow ner, aad marries her, ol course. Ai exchange give* the following new mode of killing fleai: Place the ferocious animal on a smooth board, and pen him in a hedge of shoemaker's wax, then as soon as he becomes <pilet, commence readlog to biin tho doings of Congress during the present session, and in five ittinut*wb? a ill ImrM with mdignsti-'O.