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and long to be remembered are the achievements which he gains with a
palpitating heart and a trembling hand。 A bright and lovely dawn；
the harbinger of a fair and prosperous day； had arisen over the
beautiful little village of Cumming； which is surrounded by the
most romantic scenery in the Cherokee country。 Brightening clouds
seemed to rise from the mist of the fair Chattahoochee； to spread
their beauty over the the thick forest； to guide the hero whose
bosom beats with aspirations to conquer the enemy that would tarnish
his name； and to win back the admiration of his long…tried friend。
He endeavored to make his way through Sawney's Mountain； where many meet
to catch the gales that are continually blowing for the refreshment
of the stranger and the traveler。 Surrounded as he was by hills
on every side； naked rocks dared the efforts of his energies。
Soon the sky became overcast； the sun buried itself in the clouds；
and the fair day gave place to gloomy twilight； which lay heavily
on the Indian Plains。 He remembered an old Indian Castle；
that once stood at the foot of the mountain。 He thought if he could
make his way to this； he would rest contented for a short time。
The mountain air breathed fragrancea rosy tinge rested on the glassy
waters that murmured at its base。 His resolution soon brought him
to the remains of the red man's hut： he surveyed with wonder and
astonishment the decayed building； which time had buried in the dust；
and thought to himself； his happiness was not yet complete。
Beside the shore of the brook sat a young man； about eighteen or twenty；
who seemed to be reading some favorite book； and who had a remarkably
noble countenanceeyes which betrayed more than a common mind。
This of course made the youth a welcome guest； and gained him
friends in whatever condition of life he might be placed。
The traveler observed that he was a well…built figure； which showed
strength and grace in every movement。 He accordingly addressed
him in quite a gentlemanly manner； and inquired of him the way
to the village。 After he had received the desired information；
and was about taking his leave； the youth said； 〃Are you not
Major Elfonzo； the great musicianthe champion of a noble cause
the modern Achilles； who gained so many victories in the Florida War？〃
〃I bear that name；〃 said the Major； 〃and those titles；
trusting at the same time that the ministers of grace will carry
me triumphantly through all my laudable undertakings； and if；〃
continued the Major； 〃you； sir； are the patronizer of noble deeds；
I should like to make you my confidant and learn your address。〃
The youth looked somewhat amazed； bowed low； mused for a moment；
and began： 〃My name is Roswell。 I have been recently admitted
to the bar； and can only give a faint outline of my future success
in that honorable profession； but I trust； sir； like the Eagle；
I shall look down from lofty rocks upon the dwellings of man； and shall
ever be ready to give you any assistance in my official capacity；
and whatever this muscular arm of mine can do； whenever it shall be
called from its buried GREATNESS。〃 The Major grasped him by the hand；
and exclaimed： 〃O！ thou exalted spirit of inspirationthou flame
of burning prosperity； may the Heaven…directed blaze be the glare
of thy soul； and battle down every rampart that seems to impede
your progress！〃
The road which led to the town presented many attractions。
Elfonzo had bid farewell to the youth of deep feeling； and was
not wending his way to the dreaming spot of his fondness。
The south winds whistled through the woods； as the waters dashed
against the banks； as rapid fire in the pent furnace roars。
This brought him to remember while alone； that he quietly left behind
the hospitality of a father's house； and gladly entered the world；
with higher hopes than are often realized。 But as he journeyed onward；
he was mindful of the advice of his father； who had often looked
sadly on the ground when tears of cruelly deceived hope moistened
his eye。 Elfonzo had been somewhat of a dutiful son； yet fond
of the amusements of lifehad been in distant landshad enjoyed
the pleasure of the world and had frequently returned to the scenes
of his boyhood； almost destitute of many of the comforts of life。
In this condition； he would frequently say to his father； 〃Have I
offended you； that you look upon me as a stranger； and frown upon
me with stinging looks？ Will you not favor me with the sound of
your voice？ If I have trampled upon your veneration； or have spread
a humid veil of darkness around your expectations； send me back into
the world where no heart beats for mewhere the foot of man has
never yet trod； but give me at least one kind wordallow me to come
into the presence sometimes of thy winter…worn locks。〃 〃Forbid it；
Heaven； that I should be angry with thee；〃 answered the father；
〃my son； and yet I send thee back to the children of the world
to the cold charity of the combat； and to a land of victory。 I read
another destiny in thy countenanceI learn thy inclinations from
the flame that has already kindled in my soul a stranger sensation。
It will seek thee； my dear ELFONZO； it will find theethou canst
not escape that lighted torch； which shall blot out from the
remembrance of men a long train of prophecies which they have
foretold against thee。 I once thought not so。 Once； I was blind；
but now the path of life is plain before me； and my sight is clear；
yet Elfonzo； return to thy worldly occupationtake again in thy
hand that chord of sweet soundsstruggle with the civilized world；
and with your own heart； fly swiftly to the enchanted ground
let the night…OWL send forth its screams from the stubborn oak
let the sea sport upon the beach； and the stars sing together；
but learn of these； Elfonzo； thy doom； and thy hiding…place。 Our most
innocent as well as our most lawful DESIRES must often be denied us；
that we may learn to sacrifice them to a Higher will。〃
Remembering such admonitions with gratitude； Elfonzo was immediately
urged by the recollection of his father's family to keep moving。
His steps became quicker and quickerhe hastened through the PINY woods；
dark as the forest was； and with joy he very soon reached the little
village or repose； in whose bosom rested the boldest chivalry。
His close attention to every important objecthis modest questions
about whatever was new to himhis reverence for wise old age；
and his ardent desire to learn many of the fine arts； soon brought him
into respectable notice。
One mild winter day as he walked along the streets toward the Academy；
which stood upon a small eminence； surrounded by native growth
some venerable in its appearance； others young and prosperous
all seemed inviting； and seemed to be the very place for learning as
well as for genius to spend its research beneath its spreading shades。
He entered its classic walls in the usual mode of southern mann