[SCENE 4TH.-Maiden alone.] Vainly has the syren tongue [The Spirit of Wealth appears.] Co me, 0, come with me, Where light is stream ng; Flashing back the sun's gay beaming, Jewels bright shall crown thy brow. Maiden.-Who art thou, bright one? Spirit.-I am the spirit of Wealth, come to lead thee to the paths of perfect bliss. Our way lies through gorgeous palaces, where the sun-light falls through silken curtains, where gold and gems gleam on every side, where statues and paintings charm the eye, and rich music lulls the weary heart to rest. [Maider, covering her eyes and turning away.] Bright tempter, I am dazzled with thy words; O, leave me! I seek a path of tears, where the deceitful splendor of the world does not shine. Thy way leads not to the Fountain of Peace. [SCENE 5TH.-Maiden alone.] [Fame appears.] Mortal, I am Fame. Follow me, if thou would'st have thy name written among the stars. Come and wear a crown of laurel. Maiden.-Would it not weigh heavily upon my brow? I am weary of earth, and long for rest. Is it thine to give? Where is the shining track? How shall I know it from the thousand ways, That melt in mizes through the every days, And keep my panting spirit back? Some unperceived control And eagerly the sacred beam pursue, As stars within the morning's blue O Voice, Redeeming Voice! That never faintest howsoe'er I stray, Though Thou shouldst bid me bear the cross to-day, Thou shalt be still my pirit's choice. O Voice, triumphant Voice! That drawest me on through undiscovered Continued from last Number. A soldier's life was little in harmony with my tastes and inclinations. I missed the comforts and ease of home. The dea companionship of books and pen, which had thought necessary to my existence' was wholly wanting. I shrank from con tact with the rude men surrounding me, and shuddered at their coarseness and profanity. They seemed to have been born and nurtured in a different world from that which I had known. I suffered from severe fatigue; and home-sickness, like a wearing malady, caused me to pine night and day. But when called to actual service, I was enabled to shake off these weak, unworthy feelings. My slender frame strengthened by toil and hard fare, and as time passed, I wondered at the bold, adventurous spirit which arose within me. 1 found congenial companions; all were not coarse and ignorant as I at first supposed, for the ranks could show noble, educated men by hundreds. How brave, how enthusiastic these young men were! And I, by their side, was called as brave as they. Latent energies had been brought forth in my being, and the impulse which sent me from my quiet home, deepened to a relig ious purpose. There was a pain at my heart which my comrades shared not and knew nothing of. Could I speak my brother's name, and tell them of his defection? Could I tell them that all I might do for my country, would be as nothing, for he, the son of my father's house fought dauntlessly upon the other side? For Fred, espousing any cause, right or wrong, would work for it with his whole soul. No puny, timid soldier would he be, and I felt that to count in the struggle, I must exert almost superhuman energies. I never complained of long, painful marches; I was eager to be placed foremost in every dangerous duty; and at night, with burning cheek and heaving breast, I would expatiate upon the magnitude and glory of our cause, until my listeners thought me half inspired. The rebellion grew. Greater and greater still, became the danger; fearful, more fearful, raged the conflict. I began to see a deeper meaning in the strange, unnatural struggle. This was something more than a rebellion. It was the moral crisis of the age, and our republic, before the eyes of the nations of earth, was elucidating, in violence and blood, in sacrifice and tears, one of the grandest problens of time; not merely that of self-government, but of liberty, right and equity. My country, dear to me before because it was my country, now became the embodiment of the loftiest principles of truth, and I prayed for her as a Christian should, and fought for her as only a patriot can. Were the son and lover forgotten in the devoted soldier? Nay, think not so. Midst the turmoil of the day, two loved faces would oft flit before my fancy, and I never arose at morn, nor lay down at night, without murmured blessings upon the names of mother and Lilly. Then such dear, delightful visions of home, as haunted me even when resting upon my arms, ready for the call to battle! Precious, indeed, was that peaceful home far away in New England, and dear beyond expression, were the loved ones there; but my country, O, my country! what were all my loves, my joys, my hopes, my life, to thee! I saw the young and brave fall often at my side, but no harm came to me, though leaden rain poured upon the field. I began to think I bore a charmed lite, and that some guardian angel turned the fatal bullet from my heart. But I was destined to bleed for the country I so loved. At last I fell wounded in a little skirmish, where thrice our number drove and defeated us. I could not escape, and was taken prisoner with several others. We were surrounded where we lay turned. I was always at the old homewrithing in anguish. I heard a voice Istead, sometimes a boy again, rambling knew, and with the shock it gave me, for- with Fred over the hills and meadows, or got all physical weakness and pain. I sitting by Lilly's side, and gazing upon slightly raised my head and looked her face, almost idolatrously. I could around upon our rebel captors. They see grandmother in her arm-chair, by the were well armed and equipped; most of sunny window, with her silvery hair foldthem young, doubtless, the flower of ed so smoothly on her brow, and her Southern chivalry. But one arrested my hands clasped quietly, as she waited for sweeping glance. The commanding offi- her summons to go up higher. I could cer of the little troop, sat his fine. chest- see my mother, but I did not love to picnut steed, with a proud, martial air. His ture her as now, and I always thought of erect figure, the turn of his head, were her as she had been before a single sorfamiliar to me--it was Fred Seymour. row had marred her woman's charms. He drew near as if to look upon us, and I hid my face, lest he should know "Poor fellows," he said compassionately, "poor fellows, take them up carefully, and treat them well." me. I heard him sigh, and then he turned and rode away. We had met and parted, O, my brother! Yet not so, for he was loyal to truth and honor. Groaning and weeping, I still hid my face. Sharp, lacerating pains tore along my nerves, but the anguish of my soul was sharper and more lacerating still. Then oblivion rested on my senses, and all was darkness. One day I was awakened from feverish dreams, by the sound of girlish voices. A group of young women stood near, and by their dress and air, I judged they belonged to the upper class of society. I was immediately struck by the peculiar, willowy grace of one whose face I could not see. She wore a dress of a light, floating material, which seemed to envel ope her like a cloud, and her beautiful, purple black hair was braided and wound in artistic folds around her head. I noted these things at a glance, for a poet's eye sees all points of beauty and grace in any thing he may behold. ing lip, One lady spoke with a frown and curlWhich of these men are the Yankees? how ridiculous to put them with our own wounded!" I awoke in a hospital. A sense of unutterable exhaustion was upon me, and I seemed dizzily drifting out upon some unknown sea. I thought it was death, and prayed that it might be so. A prisoner in the hands of the enemy, what more She with the airy dress and braided could I do with life? But death came hair answered quickly, in a tone of renot at my bidding. Though the cold wa-proach; "Where should they put them, ters of unconsciousness passed over me Isabel? are they not human beings?" many times, and once I heard, as in a dream, one say, He is almost gone,' still life returned to me. My work was not done. All the hardness of the soldier slipped from me like a robe laid aside, with health; my manhood, too, seemed gone, and I was a mere, mere child again,, yearning with a homesick-heart for mother. O, for the tender care of my mother! to look upon her face, to hear her voice! My poor comrades repined aloud, and wondered at my uncomplaining patience. My storm-tossed heart they could not see, and God only marked my tears. "Hardly," with a shrug of Isabel's white shoulders. The third maiden laughed and said, "Belle, you forget that Rose has a predeliction for one Yankee, and naturally feels tender towards all." "O, yes," cried Isabel, with an arch, provoking smile. She whom they called Rose turned away from her companions towards me. Her face was mantled with blushes, which doubtless heightened her rare beauty. "I think you had better put on an apron and stay and nurse these poor Yankees, you pity them so much." As I grew stronger, still home was the The blush died out of Rose's face, leavMecca to which every thought and fancying it pale and stern, as lightning flashes two such daughters! but it was not to be. She was already bereft of both sons, for I felt then that I should never return home, and Lilly would alone be left to her.. In my great weakness I was overwhelmed by these reflections, and I cov ered my face and wept bitterly. It seem ed but a moment before a cool, soft hand was laid upon my brow, and a voice so kind and sympathetic, asked me why I wept, that I was made more like a baby than before. Just so, in my dreams, had mother's hand cooled my throbbing head; just so had Lilly's voice whispered in my er. I heard her sob; I felt her tears drop upon my forehead, and then with great effort I grew calm. The laughing girls became grave, and Isabel said in a gentle tone, Why, then," did you urge your lover to join your father's company?" 44 Because I was ignorant of the horrors of war; I thought only of the glory. You may laugh, if you please, but I am going to stay here a while, and find out if these wounded men, our own soldiers and the enemy too, need anything that I can bring them." "Now, Rose Delancy-" "Don't remonstrate; I shall stay, so go and leave me." The tone was expressive of unalterable determination, and the young ladies appeared to understand it so, for after a few light words of banter they withdrew. Rose Delancy, Fred's betrothed bride! I gazed upon her, and no more wondered that she had captivated his ardent fancy, and having once gained the admiration of a true soul, she was worthy, and capable of deepening admiration into love, I read her, as she stood a moment, thinking, with a drooping head. Very proud she was, passionate, too, and perhaps wilful at times, but her heart was swelling over with loving impulses, and her soul was a true woman's soul. "Suffering has made a child of me," I said; "I feel little like a soldier now." "No wonder," was her gentle reply. They tell me that you have been here many weeks, and have been near death most of the time. You are very, very thin and pale. Ah, how you must have suffered! Is your home far from here?" "Yes, far away. I am from Massachusetts." "From Massachusetts ! your name?" May I ask "Louis Seymour." "Louis Seymour!" she cried, blushing, and in great agitation; "Louis Sey mour! the burden of sickness and confinement less intolerable, for Rose Delancy passed through the hospital each day, followed by prayers and blessings from rebel and Yankee. She neglected none, but the fairest fruits, the brightest flowers, the kindest words, ever fell to my share. I under stood the meaning of her sisterly ministrations, yet while I blessed her in my heart, I would not speak the name which I was sure so often trembled on her lips, nor tell her that I knew her. While I could not own her lover, the rebel officer who had captured me, as my brother, I would receive all her favors upon the ground of her large charity. For his sake she was so very, very kind. I knew instinctively that she yearned to speak of him, but maidenly modesty kept her silent, while she waited for a sign from me. I rallied slowly but surely. With the return of health, came back my manly strength of mind. Then harder to bear then sickness, was the irksome confinement and inactivity. The old arlor burned in my soul, and the fate of the nation seemed, to my excited fancy, depending upon my return to the post of duty. I had suffered for my beloved country but this vain sacrifice I could not patiently endure. I was willing to toil, to bleed, to die for the cause I had espoused, but could see no good to come of my present trial. It was impossible for me to learn the exact state of affairs. All my inquiries were vaguely answered, or I was told the most absurd, improbable stories of the defeat and slaughter of our national army. It was a dark, dark time to me. Scanty and indifferent food, insufficient clothing, and daily insult, were among the minor griefs I had to endure. One thought, one desire filled my soul; to be free again; to fight under the stars and stripes. I remember one streak of sunshine, and it warmed and gladdened me for many days. I received two letters from home; one from mother, one from Lilly. I kissed them with rapture, I held them in my hands many minutes, before I was calm enough to read. Then the words of love and sympathy I feasted on, until my famished heart was fed. Precious, precious letters! so tender, yet so hopeful! Lilly's was tear-stained, but she spoke only of her love for me, and of a glad re-union when the war should be over. In mother's letter were some suggestions, which helped me, and gave a new direction to my thoughts. She charged me not to repine, but to bear my imprisonment with cheerful patience. Release might soon come,; yet while I waited, I ought to use every moment for some good. "Good here - do good here! I repeated, sadly, mockingly, as I looked around upon my wretched, despairing companions. But my mother's counsel I could not despise; she whom I had ever delighted to obey. I strove for calmness and patience, and soon found life more tolerable. Then I spoke words of cheer to those with me, and they listened and were comforted. Ah, but the time was long, and my heart failed again! Would the war never end? should we never be free? O, it seemed that we could do superhuman work, were we only in the ranks again! At last, at last deliverance came. I was called out from the common place of confinement to see Miss Rose Delancy. It was a joy to see my sisterly nurse, and I clasped her hands eagerly. Her face was pale; its exquisite bloom was touched by the frost of sorrow. I knew not then, that her father was dead, but instinet told me that she had suffered. "I have come to bid you good-bye," she said, and her voice had a quivering, reed-like tone. Are you going away from here?" I started; my pulses throbbed expectantly. There is to be an exchange of prisoners, and to-morrow you can go where you please. I thought I would give myself the pleasure of informing you first." 46 That you might to the last be an angel of mercy to me," I cried, trembling with excitement. "Bless you, Heaven bless you, Rose Delaney! never shall I forget your kind ministrations, never cease to call down blessings on your head." Will you grant my request, then?" "If possible." "Go home, and never take up arms |