Tarboro' Press (Tarborough,

FOR THE TARBORO' PRESS

A RIDE IN THE COUNTRY

"Forty Ducks fell flat in a Gutter."

It was a delightful evening in -- that I took my seat in a neat little chaise, by the side of an angelic creature. She was one for whom I had long entertained the sincerest sentiments of devoted attachment. She was even more dear to me than life; for I lived only to love and adore her. Nor was it strange, for she was in every point more than perfection's self. Never did such sweetness, such sensibility, such intellect beam forth from a countenance so lovely as hers! Her bright eye mirrored a soul of noble sympathy and devoted affection--her form was one which the sculptor's chisel would in vain attempt to imitate: and her steps were those of the young fawn in its native forest. -Yes, I had loved her long and well, but had never been able to make it known to her. For when I would attempt to speak, agitation would choke up my utterance. But I had now resolved to yield to this childish weakness no longer. This evening I was to accompany her on a visit to a relative in the country; and being at a considerable distance from town, we would remain there until the next day. This would probably be my last opportunity. In a few days I was to start on a journey to a distant country. I might never see her again. And could I leave her unconscious of the love I bore for her? Oh! God, the anguish of that single thought was worse than death. I hesitated no longer; but resolved to tell her all before we returned. During our ride that evening. I thought I could see something more than mere friendship in all she said and did. She seemed deeply interested by my conversation, made many inquiries concerning my future destiny. and hoped I would not remain long from home. By such words as these, she gave me such encouragement, that I resolved more than twenty times to tell my story without another moment's delay; but just as the word would be on the end of my tongue my heart would fail me. At length we arrived at our destination, and were received by Madame H-- with a hearty welcome. Notwithstanding the polite attention of my cousins in anticipation. Mr and Mrs. H. permitted nothing to be wanting which could conduce to our comfort and entertainment, yet I passed the evening rather unpleasantly in company of more persons than one that I at all desired to converse with. I retired rather at an early hour, inwardly imprecating myself for that infernal diffidence which had so often thwarted the accomplishment of my design. After a copious bath in a large tub of water which had been placed in my bed-room for the purpose: I turned in to seek the land of dreams.

It was not long before fancy's wings were freed from the trammels of reason and was once more beside my love Rallisea-- It was a bright evening, I with my angel from a visit to the city, freed from that agitation which had hitherto prevented the expression of my sentiments.

We were side by side and alone, I was relating my sentiments. My tale of love was told; and I asked would she be mine; to which she answered-"I will" -O God! what thrill of delight shot through my soul as those words seemed to fall upon my ear! the ecstasy of that moment was more than my dreaming imagination could contain,

In a half waking state I leaped from my bed, and the next moment found myself or at least a portion thereof very uncomfortably situated in a tub of cold water,

Of course I felt pretty much "watered." but the words "I will" were still ringing in my ears more musical far than- That all-powerful-overjoying knell The tocsin of the soul--the dinner bell.

And despite of my disbelief in dreams the recollection of those words which seemed to fall so palpably from those lips which I would have given a world to kiss aroused in my soul a secret emotion of delight, which the sober judgment of reason was unable to suppress; and this alone counterbalanced all the unpleasant sensations which I might otherwise have felt in the sudden transition from a warm bed to a tub of cold water Having divested myself of my wet garments I turned in again, and after much reflection upon my strange dream fell asleep and snored soundly on the hill of morn.

On the evening of the next day, as it seemed in the vision I was seated by Rallisea's side, and our little vehicle was rolling smoothly along the road to the village, I determined to put my dream to the test immediately. And this time I succeeded.--I told her I loved her more than woman was ever loved before and asked her if she would believe-—"certainly," said she, with a mischievous laugh-- certainly and why should I not? Indeed how could you help it? This took me all aback, I scarce knew what to do. In my confusion I had again almost relinquished my object. But in summing up all my energy, I in some degree. regained my composure.

At a single glance I thought I could see in her countenance the reflection of a sentiment very different from the coquetish levity with which she had answered me; hope revived once more and I addressed her again Rallisea, I must soon leave you-perhaps for many long years-perhaps I shall never see you again and before I go, --, "Oh! hush! hush. for goodness' sake do not speak so: yes, if that will do you any good. yes, I do love you; and if God should spare us both, I will"-one jolt, as the left wheels of the chaise ran off the edge of the road. cut short those heavenly words, and the next moment my fair companion and myself were floundering together in a mud hole.

Yet us among the pitches.