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I had rather be borne off； like the bubble upon the dark blue ocean；
with Ambulinia by my side； than to have him in the ascending
or descending line of relationship。 Gentlemen；〃 continued he；
〃if Elfonzo is so much of a distinguished character； and is so
learned in the fine arts； why do you not patronize such men？ why
not introduce him into your families； as a gentleman of taste
and of unequaled magnanimity？ why are you so very anxious that he
should become a relative of mine？ Oh； gentlemen； I fear you yet
are tainted with the curiosity of our first parents； who were
beguiled by the poisonous kiss of an old ugly serpent； and who；
for one APPLE； DAMNED all mankind。 I wish to divest myself； as far
as possible； of that untutored custom。 I have long since learned
that the perfection of wisdom； and the end of true philosophy；
is to proportion our wants to our possessions； our ambition to
our capacities； we will then be a happy and a virtuous people。〃
Ambulinia was sent off to prepare for a long and tedious journey。
Her new acquaintances had been instructed by her father how to treat her；
and in what manner； and to keep the anticipated visit entirely secret。
Elfonzo was watching the movements of everybody； some friends
had told him of the plot that was laid to carry off Ambulinia。
At night； he rallied some two or three of his forces； and went
silently along to the stately mansion； a faint and glimmering light
showed through the windows； lightly he steps to the door； there were
many voices rallying fresh in fancy's eye； he tapped the shutter；
it was opened instantly； and he beheld once more； seated beside
several ladies； the hope of all his toils； he rushed toward her；
she rose from her seat； rejoicing； he made one mighty grasp；
when Ambulinia exclaimed； 〃Huzza for Major Elfonzo！ I will defend
myself and you； too； with this conquering instrument I hold in my hand；
huzza； I say； I now invoke time's broad wing to shed around us some
dewdrops of verdant spring。〃
But the hour had not come for this joyous reunion； her friends
struggled with Elfonzo for some time； and finally succeeded
in arresting her from his hands。 He dared not injure them；
because they were matrons whose courage needed no spur；
she was snatched from the arms of Elfonzo； with so much eagerness；
and yet with such expressive signification； that he calmly withdrew
from this lovely enterprise； with an ardent hope that he should be
lulled to repose by the zephyrs which whispered peace to his soul。
Several long days and night passed unmolested； all seemed to have
grounded their arms of rebellion； and no callidity appeared to be
going on with any of the parties。 Other arrangements were made
by Ambulinia； she feigned herself to be entirely the votary of a
mother's care； and she； by her graceful smiles； that manhood might
claim his stern dominion in some other region； where such boisterous
love was not so prevalent。 This gave the parents a confidence
that yielded some hours of sober joy； they believed that Ambulinia
would now cease to love Elfonzo； and that her stolen affections
would now expire with her misguided opinions。 They therefore
declined the idea of sending her to a distant land。 But oh！ they
dreamed not of the rapture that dazzled the fancy of Ambulinia；
who would say； when alone； youth should not fly away on his rosy
pinions； and leave her to grapple in the conflict with unknown admirers。
No frowning age shall control
The constant current of my soul；
Nor a tear from pity's eye
Shall check my sympathetic sigh。
With this resolution fixed in her mind； one dark and dreary night；
when the winds whistled and the tempest roared； she received intelligence
that Elfonzo was then waiting； and every preparation was then ready；
at the residence of Dr。 Tully； and for her to make a quick escape
while the family was reposing。 Accordingly she gathered her books；
went the wardrobe supplied with a variety of ornamental dressing；
and ventured alone in the streets to make her way to Elfonzo；
who was near at hand； impatiently looking and watching her arrival。
〃What forms；〃 said she； 〃are those rising before me？ What is
that dark spot on the clouds？ I do wonder what frightful ghost
that is； gleaming on the red tempest？ Oh； be merciful and tell me
what region you are from。 Oh； tell me； ye strong spirits； or ye
dark and fleeting clouds； that I yet have a friend。〃 〃A friend；〃
said a low； whispering voice。 〃I am thy unchanging； thy aged；
and thy disappointed mother。 Why brandish in that hand of thine
a javelin of pointed steel？ Why suffer that lip I have kissed
a thousand times to equivocate？ My daughter； let these tears sink
deep into thy soul； and no longer persist in that which may be your
destruction and ruin。 Come； my dear child； retract your steps；
and bear me company to your welcome home。〃 Without one retorting word；
or frown from her brow； she yielded to the entreaties of her mother；
and with all the mildness of her former character she went along
with the silver lamp of age； to the home of candor and benevolence。
Her father received her cold and formal politeness〃Where has
Ambulinia been； this blustering evening； Mrs。 Valeer？〃 inquired he。
〃Oh； she and I have been taking a solitary walk；〃 said the mother；
〃all things； I presume； are now working for the best。〃
Elfonzo heard this news shortly after it happened。 〃What；〃 said he；
〃has heaven and earth turned against me？ I have been disappointed
times without number。 Shall I despair？must I give it over？
Heaven's decrees will not fade； I will write againI will try again；
and if it traverses a gory field； I pray forgiveness at the altar
of justice。〃
Desolate Hill； Cumming； Geo。； 1844。
Unconquered and Beloved Ambulinia
I have only time to say to you； not to despair； thy fame shall
not perish； my visions are brightening before me。 The whirlwind's
rage is past； and we now shall subdue our enemies without doubt。
On Monday morning； when your friends are at breakfast； they will
not suspect your departure； or even mistrust me being in town；
as it has been reported advantageously that I have left for the west。
You walk carelessly toward the academy grove； where you will find
me with a lightning steed； elegantly equipped to bear you off where
we shall be joined in wedlock with the first connubial rights。
Fail not to do thisthink not of the tedious relations of our wrongs
be invincible。 You alone occupy all my ambition； and I alone will
make you my happy spouse； with the same unimpeached veracity。
I remain； forever； your devoted friend and admirer； J。 L。 Elfonzo。
The appointed day ushered in undisturbed by any clouds； nothing disturbed
Ambulinia's soft beauty。 With serenity and loveliness she obeys
the request of Elfonzo。 The moment the family seated themselves
at the table〃Excuse my absence for a short time；〃 said she；
〃while I attend to the placing of those flowers； which should have
been done a week ago。〃 And away she ran to the sacred grove；
surrounded with glittering pearls； that indicated her coming。
Elfonzo hails her with his silver bow and his golden harp。 They meet
Ambulinia's countenance brightensElfonzo leads up his winged steed。
〃Mount；〃 said he； 〃ye true…hearted； ye fearless soulthe day
is ours。〃 She sprang upon the back of the young thunder bolt；
a brilliant star sparkles upon her head； with one hand she
grasps the reins； and with the other she holds an olive branch。
〃Lend thy aid； ye strong winds；〃 they exclaimed； 〃ye moon； ye sun；
and all ye fair host of heaven； witness the enemy conquered。〃
〃Hold；〃 said Elfonzo； 〃thy dashing steed。〃 〃Ride on；〃 said Ambulinia；
〃the voice of thunder is behind us。〃 And onward they went；
with such rapidity that they very soon arrived at Rural Retreat；
where they dismounted； and were united with all the solemnities
that usually attend such divine operations。 They passed the day
in thanksgiving and great rejoicing； and on that evening they
visited their uncle； where many of their friends and acquaintances
had gathered to congratulate them in the field of untainted bliss。
The kind old gentleman met them in the yard： 〃Well；〃 said he； 〃I wish
I may die； Elfonzo； if you and Ambulinia haven't tied a knot with your
tongue that you can't untie with your teeth。 But come in； come in；
never mind； all is rightthe world still moves on； and no one has
fallen in this great battle。〃
Happy now is there lot！ Unmoved by misfortune； they live among the
fair beauties of the South。 Heaven spreads their peace and fame upon
the arch of the rainbow； and smiles propitiously at their triumph；
THROUGH THE TEARS OF THE STORM。