THE VOYAGE.

With varying winds the good ship sailed thro’ Summer sea. At times translucent clouds were Flung across its way like twilight mists, and Then anon the sun burst forth. With lowering Winds and listless sail they drifted dreamily Beneath the turquoise skies. When at night the Mellow moonlight made its path across the Waves, Cedric paced the deck impatiently; And in his restless dreams he saw the face And form of Lola; felt her soft breath on His cheek, her arms entwined about his neck In heavenly bliss. At some port discharging Freightage, the ship would often linger for A day, and those on board would wander thro’ The town. Once they saw a vessel that plied Between that southern coast and Africa Unload its cargo—human souls, who had Been stolen from their home and brought to this Free country to be sold to servitude. The buyers, richly dressed and bedecked with Diamonds, stood like drovers waiting at the Cattle pens to buy. One gentleman with Pistol at his belt, true type of southern Cavalier, took a mother from her child; Cedric pled with him to buy the baby Too. He was answered by an insult, and Derided for his pity for “the brat.” Unmindful of the insult to himself, He persevered and gained consent to buy The child and place it in its mother’s arms. Off the south-most coast they saw the isle, The magic isle of Bimini, where the Indian sages told De Leon he Would find the fountain of eternal youth. Thence onward thro’ the gulf, and near that quaint Old Crescent City, he found his darling Lola. Near the city in a lovely Urban villa on the rich plantation Of her father, where the oleanders Bloom, and palmettos wave their fronded plumes, They met once more. Her father, Colonel Vail, Was absent; would return in one week more. Six days, six blissful days, from early morn Till eve, the lovers wandered ’mid the scenes To her, so rich in hallowed memories. Sitting by her mother’s grave, she told him How unlike the days of old she found her Home. Her father, with advancing age and Growing wealth, had changed; become more like the One who filled her mother’s place, purse-proud and Haughty. He had hinted at a union That he desired for her, and she feared he Would not look with favor on her Cedric. Like as the vine twines with the sturdy oak And clings the stronger when the north wind blows, So she, as moved by some foreboding, clung To him, and begged that she might go with him To that far land; and coaxingly she said: “Who will spread the table for my Cedric? Or smooth his pillow? Or if mishap befall, Nurse him back to health? If he goes alone, I ne’er shall look upon his face again.” He kissed away her tears and playfully Made light of her misgiving; yet he was Sorely tempted, and well-nigh gave way to His desire; but that high sense of honor, And solicitude for her, gave him the Mastery over self. And from that hour He never knew a thought of selfishness. He soothed her fears; and by words of wisdom, (As before) soon brought her judgment into Sweet accord with his. But it was agreed That if her father answered his request With scorn, or treated him unkindly, there Would be no angry words. That he would go And never ask again. When he returned, Would take her as his rightful own; and then He held her to his breast, and laid upon Her lips what they both well knew might be his Farewell kiss. For even then they saw her Father’s carriage coming up the drive. When They met and she presented her betrothed, Cedric recognized the man who bought the Slave and would have torn the infant from its Mother’s breast. Yet, speaking calmly, told him Who he was, whence and why he came; told all Manfully; and the Colonel heard him thro’. Then, with derisive laugh, he taunted him For his presumption: “A pauper, begging For a queen! Nay, nay! The one who gains my Daughter’s hand must have a bank account or Property in land or slaves.” The hot blood Rushing to his brow, he boldly answered: “I go, accepting these conditions, but Surely will return.” Then, taking Lola’s Hand, said cheerfully: “’Till then, good-bye.” With Tearless eyes she proudly looked upon her Cedric, and stood as strong and brave as he.