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Show 502 Tile Blind Husband. [AuousT, make arran~rements for his intended departure, afler the dea.th of his wife, he p~rsued : :os~:~\~~ wililst Agne; rewrned to the home of her happiest the most diss?lute depravity, ;~n~;·:,~:::rthy perllours, and on::e more gladdened wit~l her bright means and altenated the e~:ant circumstances he smile, the hearts of her parents and fne~1ds. sons. ~Jnder thes~ nnpleto Texas, that beautiful At this u~e~pected. and l~appy change .t~ the pros. was obliged to etmgrateoften olluted by "thieves, pects of tlus 1ntercstmg gul, no o~e reJOICed mor.e land, whose s.hores a~e so fever p sort., He resides sincerely than Paul Lefevre, and In the mo~t deli· ~anders, palhards, stn~l: obtai~s a precarious snpcate manner he settled on hf!r a sum su~~te~t to Ill Galveston, \~here rs and other papers of bu. support he. in the event of an unlucky \'tctssJtode r.ort by tran~a~m~ le\~~:sels trading from foreign in her affatrs. s111ess, brou,h Y After a short sojourn with her parents, Agnes countries to that port. joined her husband in New York, whence they sailed soon afterwards for New Orleans. They reached that city in safety; and the beauty, vivacity, ~entle goodness of Agnes won the admiration and the affection of her husband·s relations. She h~d residf!d with them for several months, their cordial kindness and the deep affection of her husband filling the measure of her domestic happiness, when the clread disease which so often rages in the fairest city of the South, appeared in a violent and most malignant form. Agnes was one of the first victims to the insatiate disnrder, and afler a few days of extreme suffering, her gentle spirit fled from "The smoke and stir of this dim spot Which men call c;nth." \Ve must ask the imagin'ltion of the indulgent reader to suppose that several morllhs have elapsed since the melancholy and premature death of Agnes Ripton. During that time the grief that mournful event caused her friends in \Yotton, wlro had known her" from childhood on," had been softened by the healing efficacy of Nat.ure'sgreatcomforter-Time. The vile hypocrisy in the conduct of Claude Rip· ton had swept fore\·er from the pure mind of l\1ar· garet Seflon e\'Cry tender sentiment she had entertained for him, and she now thought of him with feelings of disgust and detestation. H er military admirer, Captain Lawrence, again resumed his visits, and although the young officer had not the keen and graceful intellect and the prodigal aceom)) lishments witb which Claude Ripton had rather dazzled her fancy than secured the affections of her heart, yet the solid strength of his mind, the benignity of his disposition, and the candid frankness of his manners produced the most fa\·orable impressions. The gallant Captain pursued his advantarres with such ardor, that he met with complete :uccess, and led to the alwr the beautiful and fascinating l\larga ret. On the same IIC'Casion, 1\h. Paul Lefevre was united in the holy bands of matrimony to l\lrs. Henry. E\·en in the short time since his marriage, the impetuosity of his manners has been soflened by the aentleness of his wife, and he is remarkable for ~he same strictness of principle and amiability of dispusition for whieh his character was esteemed and respected while he was a Bachelor. Of Claude Ripton it only remains to say, that THE BLIND HUSBAND. 1:1\' MRS. E. H. EVANS. A lowly home-its roof was mossAnd fair blush-roses decked the door; All day among the sheltering trees, The song of the enamored breeze, ln love with such a fa iry spot, A mellow chaunt would pour. The very plants seemed brighter there, As if on blessed ground they stood. And all the fair and lovely things That spied it in their wanderings, Folded their plumes amid its shades, And charmed its solitude. Soft fell the golden light of June Athwart low roof and lattice green. Anon a gentle voice was heard, Sweet as the love-song of a bird,And leaning from the casement forth A fairy form was seen. A slender, g irlish form it was, Yet with a proud and stately grace,And when her glorious eyes she raised, Had vou within their clear depths gai'.ed, Yo.u would have thought their beauty came From an immortal race. Tin~Ted was her cheek with faintest red, A"'nd yet a something in her mien Declared it mnre the glo•.v of youth, Than born of joy, and hope's sweet truth, For o'er her face, as sculpture fair, A shadowy g rief was seen. A passing glance at that soft sky, With its one cloud of amber hueA sli!lhter one on scene around, And ~n the blossom-bri(Z'htened ground, And she had vanislwd suddenly Ae angel visions do. 18,15.] T he Blind Ilusband. Dut enter, as tho Poet may, The modest home of faithful love The home of truth-where, day and' night, On folded wings of spotless white, Seraphic Innocence looked down Mild as her e mblem Dove. No costly hangings riv'l\led there The pomp of oriental sheen, Rut pure as stars mid evening gloom, P ale jasmine flowers, with breath of bloom, Came like a living fairy band With waving, leafy screen. And all was rare simplicity, Save that in honored resting place, 'Vith many an airy column bright, And polished keys of ivory white, Uprose a noble Organ proud,Magician of its race! And well its master's skilful hand Knew to awake its wondrous powers, Sometimes like muttered thunder S\\·el!ing Majestic round the lowly dwelling; But oftener, sad as love-lorn maid, h charmed the listening hours. To him the glowing world of light Did all like parted vision seem; Since in his boyhood's rosy time, Dark shadows veileG the scene sublime, And sparkling wave !!.nd leaping fount Were splendors of a dream. Pale was his face, but not with years, And dark the tresses waving round, ·while on his ample brow were wrought Traces of sad, conflicting thought,But, at the magic of his smile, The coldest heart would bound. And Oh! his very being clung Almost adoring to his bridc- \Vith her soft cheek reclined on his,-- Her clasping band, her tender kiss, Sometimes his heart with rapture thrilled, Or swelled with sorrow's tide. He knew her beautiful-for fame Had sung her c harms of form and face, And often mid her silken hair, And o'er her chiselled features fa ir, His gentle hand was wont to glide, Their perfect form to trace. So, loving and beloved, they dweltHe in his song-enchanted night, Following serene her guidance sweet, Or, as she rested at his feet, Of lofty themes discoursing high, Or Genius strong and bright. Yet oft strange sadness filled his heart,' While she, with many a secret sigh, Had marked the traitor hectic blush, That lighted with its crimson flush The hollow check, and brilliance lent E'en to the sightless eyes. And from his soul·entrancing strains, She Jured him with a sportive mirth; Though tears were in her eyes the while, Pleading with sweet deceiving guile, In tender strains like these- Poor trembling child of earth ! "Come, dearest, to the greenwood forth, Ere evening shadows veil the sky, And leaning on thy loved one's arm, Dare thy pale forehead to the charm Of soflest Southern winds, That float like angels by. "About thy favorite seat again The blue-eyed violets gaily spring, And twining round thy shading tree, Rich honey-suckles breathe for thee Their wealth of fragrance on the air, From many a coral ring. "Then come with me, beloved one, }i'or all the radiance of the sky, And all the beauty of the land Seem pale and dim, save when I stand By thy dear side, discoursing glad Of hopes that cannot die." And so, on many a balmy day, B.v humble neighbors were they seen; She, with her young and loving face, And all a Hebe's fabled g race, Leading her sightless one along The pathway smooth and green. But on that eve of \•:hich I spoke, ln vain was every sweet endeavor; A strangely solemn air he wore, Such as she had not marked before, And while her heart with life beat high, That look was graved forever. "Nay, lo\'eliest, since for me in vain, All Nature's grandeur is displayedSince tlty blest presence makes my day, And night is but when thou'rt away, Dearer to me our quiet home Than music-haunted glade. "A mournful presJ.ge fi lls my breast, And often on the fragrant air, A spirit voice has seemed to rise, Calling me from earth's darkened skies To visions of an endless day, Than Paradise more fair ! 503 |
