The Dublin post. (Dublin, Ga.) 1878-1894, September 25, 1878, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextTOL. 1. DUBLIN, GEORGIA, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1878. THATiniiGIITEJt LAXD. BY lIKI.lvN A. BROWSE. There’s a land beyond Death’s river, Where the pilgrim is a guest— Where the wicked trouble never, "And the weary arc at rest.” Where the sky is never clouded By a single shade of night; And the blossoms never shrouded la the sombre veil of blight. Where they know ho pan g Of sorrow, No more sighing and regret, Where the day will have no morrow, For its sun will never set. Where the buds nre ever blowing— Where no withered leaf is seen— Where the streams arc “ever flowing,” And tho 1 ' ‘ ‘fields are ever green. ” Where no tie has ever broken— Where no heart has ever bled— Where no parting word is spoken,' And no farewell tear is shed. Where the “Fount of Glory" beaming Bright, celestial, charms the eye, And the star of Love is gleaming From “our.Father’s” throne on high. HARRY AND I. By E. S. Bouton. It was the June of the year. Bright, beautiful June; that witch ing month when Dame Nature pours her richest treasures into the lap of mother Earth; paints the sky its most dazzling blue; dyes the grass with brightest green; hangs glorious festoons of blushing roses -q^on graceful vinos and waving shrubs, and arrays every living thing in a garb of beauty. One bright afternoon, I was stand ing upon the vino-wreathed porch of my father's house, tying up a refract ory honeysuckle, when, raising my head, I met the mischievous glance of yonug , Harry Lee, who had ap- jiroaebpd utv^erooived, and wag wait ing, hat in hand, upon the lower stop until I should look up. . •‘A happy day to you, fair lady. he said, in a half-mock' deferential tone. I deigned him no reply, save a *.ho.r.t, cold nod, and returned to my work again. Now be it known that this same Harry Lee and I had quarreled sadly the previous evening, and parted in greater anger than wo had ever be fore felt toward each other. Harry avas the son of an old neighbor, the playmate of my childhood, the trust «ed companion of my youth, and, as years passed away, the ties that bound us together had strengthened until now we Were betrothed lovers. It was one of those quiet loves, when every fibre of the heart lias become unconsciously entwined about the life of another, and they have drawn freshness from that soul; when none dream of its strength until these fibres must he wrenched away. My whole being was enriched by the warmth and brightness of his; my faith in human nature was always greater after I had been witli him; my heart and hands were stronger to do the woiflk God had placed before mo. So does a pure human love ennoble the spirits of earth-born mortals. But I- thought not of this then. I was a wayward girl, prone to take offence, yet ready to forgive, save when the shafts of ridicule were leveled at me, and then I became exasperated beyond measure. study, arid, dYii ‘cbiMcjuerice, had been compelled to return home from college and rest awhile. Tho days had been full of enjoyment to me, until a slight difference of opinion about some trivial matter had caused a quarrel. Harry stood patiently until I had finished my task, and, then stooping, looked roguishly in my face. “What, angry yet, Maggie?” he said. “I thought a night’s sleep would certainly restore your good humor.” “You thonght wrong then,” I re plied, tartly, giving the early rose bush near which I stood a sudden jerk, which brought down a shower of leaves around us. “Gome, Maggie, Jet us take, a walk down to our 6ld trysting place,” iie said, presently, taking' no farther notice of my petulance. ‘ * Yon know I haven’t been there since I came home.” “He wants to ask me to forgive him,” thought' I, cxultingly, as went into the house for my bonnet. Wo took our way through tho gar den into tho path spanning tho mead ows, now spangled .with golden but tercups and milk-cycd daises, while a few late, modest, blne-robod violets shrank away from my feet; took our way silently and thoughtfully along; till we reached a large, old tree bend ing over the mill stream, that told a thousand mysteries, if one would but stop and listen to its noisy inurmur- higs. It was, as Harry said, our old trys* ting-place. Here wc lmd come to gether, in the spring, when tho fruit trees were flinging down a thick spray of pearls and rubies upon the soft green grass; in the summer when the golden grain rolled in the delicious autumn time, when the soft haze, as a misty veil, drooped over the landscape, and tho gorgeous tree-drapery, like bright-winged birds, was falling, fluttering to the earth; in each and all of these sea sons wc had come thither, and there, within the sound of waterfall, had woven sweet dreams of the glorious, happy, and good lives wc would live together, when tho music of our earthly existence should he our good deeds. But no pleasant memories of those times thronged upon me now; there was the only feeling of vexation that Harry’s next words did not tend to decrease. - “Maggie,” and there was laughter in the very tones of his voice. “Now tell me in right down good earnest, llTFTUu really angry with me—WtV does it hurt your feelings much— and don’t you never mean to get over it?” “Yes, Harry Lee,” I almost snap ped in reply, as I turned toward him “yes, I dm angry with you, and it don’t hurt mo at all, nml I don’t, mean to get over it, for I do believe I hate you, Harry Lee. ” “Oh! that’s foolish,” ho laughed, in reply. “You know you couldn’t possibly do that, for you love mo so much, little gypsy. You’vo told me a thousand times,” and again tho merry brown eves peeped saucily un der my bonnet. This was too much. lie had in sulted me, I felt, had made light of the holiest feelings of my heart, and I wonld punish him. But now I was too deeply incensed to speak, so I sprang away from him with a quick hound, and ran with all my might, unheeding his calls to me to return, until I reached the edge of the or chard, a short distance from the house. Here I paused and looked around, but Harry was not in sight, though I knew lie was following me by the sound of hi« eloar, rich voice singing, “Oh! whistle, rtnd I’ll come to you, my lass.” It was very evi dent that ho did not yet believe I was so deeply offended, and I. resolved that lie should realize it to his sorrow. I looked hastily artrind for a good hiding place till he lmd passed. A maple tree, whoso branches came very near to the ground, aud whoso thick, green foliage had often screen ed me when a child, stood near. As my eye fell upon it, quick as the lightning’s flash came the thought, I’ll climb it. What if I am eighteen and engaged? Who cares? besides no one will see me.” No Eooncr said than done. Up I wont like a cat, and was just snugly ensconced upon one of the lower limbs, when Harry appeared slowly sauntering along. What was my consternation to see, that, instead of taking tho path to the house, he was coming di rectly to tho very tree in which J was perched! He soon reached its broad shade, and, throwing himself care lessly upon the grass without a single upward glance,took a hook from liis pocket, and went to reading as cool ly as if there was no such distressed yonng damsel as I in tho world, was fairly treed, I was puzzled to know whether lie was aware of my whereabouts, and was determined to keep mo there awhile, or, being re solved to show his indifference, had thrown himself there to pass away time. “I can stay here as long as you,” I thought defiantly. Well, wo did stay. I Wonld not stir a musclo for fear ho might hoar me, and oh! liriw wearily dragged the hours, as, in my uncomfortable seat, I watched tho shadows lengthen, and the sun sink away to rest in the purple canopied West. At last, overcome by fatiguo and the utter stillness around mo, I foil asleep, my hands loosed their.hold, and, horror of Horrors! down I came, with a crashing of the boughs, plump upou tho turf, catching convulsively at Harry’s head, and, finally, sprawling in a collapsed stato at his foot. Hero was a pretty, contretemps; and al though I was not hurt, only stunned for a moment, yet,'overcome by elm- grin and mortification, I remained perfectly motionless, with closed eyes where I lmd fallen. As Harry saw this, he paused in tho merry laugh with which, after the first start, ho had greeted mo, and came hastily to my side. I fancied I could see tho pained, anxious look upon his face, as ho bent over me, saying, “Maggie, darling Maggie, are you hurt? Oh! God, if my folly should have killed her,” and tho lmhd which took mine, trembled violently. He turned away to go, as I know, to tho spring after some water to bathe my face. I waited until ho was at a little distance; then spring ing to my feet, hastened rapidly toward the house. He saw my flight, and a few rapid footsteps brought him t<) my sips “Playing possum were you, Mag gie?” lie queried. “But you don’t enow,” lie continued, in a grave tone, 4 ‘how you frightened mb. I thought perhaps you wore dead, Maggie, and then oh! life would have been so des olate for me, darling!” There was a few moments’ silence, and tho old mischievous tones lmd returned. “Maggie, next time you hide, look out for those flowing skirts. The cloven foot will peep out, Mag.” So lie had'known of my presence all those long hours, and lmd purpos ed to weary mo. My heart, which his tender Words lmd filled with joy, grow lmrd again. I would make him suffer yet, and I turned toward him so calm and cold that I saw he was startled. “Harry Lee,” I said, proudly “you mistake me, if you think I can be ridiculed and mocked in this way with impunity. You were rot so se cure in my affection as that. Hence forth remember, sir, wo are but friends,” aud I turned away. For one moment lie stood as if thunderstruck, then springing for ward, caught me by tho arm and exclaimed, “Maggie, you are not, you cannot be in earnest. Do you mean it, Mag gie, mean that for a mere joke, we shall he separated forever? No, no, you are only jesting with mo now; trying to punish mo as I deserved for my presumption,” and he looked eagerly, wistfully in my face. “I am in earnest, Harry Lee,” I answered giving full rein to my pas sion, and determined that ho should suffer to the utmost, “as you will find to your cost.” He grew deathly pale; and at last said, “May God forgive you, Marga ret Deane, for thus muking a wreck of my life. I believe you aro utterly heartless,” and he walked hastily away. A moment later lie came hack to where I stood, took mo in his arms, pushed the hair away from my forehead, and I could see in the gathering twilight that his features worked convulsively. Passionately kissing my brow he murmered, <; I did not mean those cruel words Mag gie, but I am very wretched. This ’is worse than death,” then adding, “Gad bless and keep you darling, and make you happy,” ho left me I watched him until'ho was out of sight, then walked slowly into the house, up stairs, to my own room, threw myso.f upon the hod and clas ping my hands over my eyes wept long and bitterly. What had I dono? To gratify my foolish pride and an ger, I had cost from me, trampled under mv foot tho dearest boon of happiness the earth .contained/ And yet, shell was my willful nature, I woqld not. havo taken one stop toward a reconciliation, oven though I know not to do so would bo a life timo of misery, I lmd brought it upon my self, and I would hear tho conse quences. He, I thought, would soon got over it, his studies would occupy his mind, and givo him little timo for painful thought; besides ho was man, and never, never felt such things as acutely as women. Tho next day Harry Leo loft tho: Ihigo, and I returned to my usual routine of duties; but, as weeks pass ed oil, the bounding step bec.uno, slow and listless, the rosy chook pale, and .tho joyous tones with which I was wont to greot my father (my inother was dead and I kept house for him) grow sad and low. Ho noticed the change at hist, but when he questioned mo, I told him that I was perfectly well, only the sumifror heats.lmd overcome me, but with ,winter’s bracing air I should bo his own merry girl again. I saw he was not satisfied, and once I heard him say, in wrathful tones, “If that yonng Harry Lee 1ms been trifling with her lie shall pay for it.” It was just after a neighbor had boon in “to tell us the news,” slip said, look ing curiously at mo, and then she proceeded with tho information that Harry was engaged to a beautiful c mujmed in the summer, as soon as he lmd grnduiitodftHA boro up bravely as long as herni'gri»%o was upon me, but when she had gone my forced composure guvo way, and I sobbed in anguish. 1 thought that L was alone, hut my father was in the next room and over heard it all. Ho never spoke to mo of it, however, hut there Was a deeper tenderness in his tones, a more' watchful care for my comfort than oyoi before. Well, tho winter passed. Tho warm sun awolco tho earth and set its great pulse to heating, until fort); from its bosom sprang a million forms of beauty. Every living thing seemed sending up fi song of joy and praise, hut to mo there was no joy, no beauty. My heart lay cold und dead. Tho spiring waned, and summer, in all its glory, was with us. I was sitting, one bright morn, by tho open window, when the sound of wheels attracted my attention, and, looking up, I mot the gaze of •Harry Lee. By his side sat a ra diant creature in the first blush of womanhood. He raised his hat with a respectful how, which I mechan ically ^returned, and tho curriago rolled on. He was married then. It was all over, that bright tlroum. Well, God help*me, I. thought. That night I wended my way down to the old trysting-pJnco. I do not know what tempted me to go there unless it was to live over that last bitter meeting and pitting. I seat ed my self beneath the old tree, and was soon lost in a painful reverio. The mill stream sang ns noisily as of old, tho shifting moonlight played co- quettishly with tho shadows of the leaves upon tho* grass around me, and was broken into a thousand shining masses by their waving clus ters, but I heeded them not. How long I sat there I know not, but I was suddenly aroused by a strong arm passed around my waist, a hand placing a cluster of half- oponed moss roses on my lap, while a manly voico, I know hut too well, murmered in my ear, “Maggie, my own darling Maggie. G'an you for give me now?” I could not speak; my heart was too full for that; but tho hot tears gushed from my eyes as I lay still, very still, in tho sholtor of his arms. Very softly ho wiped them away, speaking the while words of endearment which thrilled my heart through and throng Siuldoniy came tho memory of that girl, his wife. I sprang from his ombrnneo, and, for tho second time in that place, confronted Jiim with flashing eyes and crimsoned cheeks. “How dare you to speak to mo in that way, Harry Leo,” I exclaimed, “when your very word and caress belongs to another?” “Another! What do you moan, Maggie?” asked Harry, looking at mo in utter ostonishmont. A light was beginning to glinmior through tho darkness which had shrouded me. “Aro yon not married, then? Was not tliitt girl with you to-day your wife?” 1 spoke hurriedly and eagerly. “No, indeed,” he answered, a glad light coming into his eyes as lie again drew mo toward him. “It was my cousin, Maggio, and tho betrothed bride of my chum, Nod Allyri. As if I could marry any one hut you, darling.”* I nood not tell you that there was a wedding in my father’s little parlor in the fall, nor how huppy 1 have been all thoso years, walking down tho valo of lifo by the sido of my noble husband. May God give you as bright a lot, dear reader. BILL A HP’S SUNDAY CHAT. Skimming tlm Milk oi'Huimni Kindness. |||j feasting. I ufcpd to think that, strange specimen of wisdom, but as I get older I begin to see lmw it is. It pnriflos a man’s thought to go about where there is death and suf fering, and makes him more grateful for his own good health, and more contented with his circumstances. I’ve boon reading so much lately about the awful postilonco and the multitude of sorrows that canto along with it, t fool lilco we people in this blessed region don’t deserve more than lialf wo have got—maybe not that much, for we are always li’han- kcrin after every good thing wo hear of, aiulcompurin ourselves with folks that aro.hettcr off than wo aro. Then again, it nuikos a man have a bettor opinion of his ruco when he secs how they stand by the suffering arid tho dying and risk their own dives with us much heroism as tho soldiers do in battle. Mankind is a curious animal, anyhow. In ordinary times lie Booms as selfish and groody as my liogs Avhen I go to feed ’em, hut in times of great trouble und danger he seems to forgot all about himself mid take on a different nature. That is, most of cm do, and generally the very ones you thought dident have no soul at all show ns much foolin' for human snfforin’ us anybody. One time I sawahoy about to drown, and a poor barkeeper was the first ono to jump in, and he saved him. Home other clever peoplo woregottm’ ready to jump in, hut lie was ready before lie got there. Tho fact is, you can’t tell much about u man until you put yourself in his place, anil that is right hard to do. I noticed in tho last war that them fellows who made most noise about secession and fighting dident do much of it, and the quiot, unpretendin’ hoys made tho best soldiers. There was a feller about town who just went about bulldozin’ the northern people who live there, and swore they should join the army or go hack to yankeo- dom. Well, most of om did join, hut ho dident, and I never Iteard of his doingunything but running down escaped prisoners with a pack of may lie smothered or asleep until some big tiling conies along and wakes it. up. A man may impose on you and cheat you in a trade when you are on an equal footing with him, hut if you got low down in trouble lie'll help you up quick as anybody— you can’t tell much about, a man until you try him—and there's noth ing tries him like war and pestilence. Heading about things ai’ur off won't fry a man much—wo must see it. with our eyes mul hear, it. with our ears and (lien it' we show no bowels wo belong to the devil shore. I've been thinking ovor those things hito- ly and tho way our calpulutin breth ren up north havo been sondin mon ey to Mississippi makes mo feel, ashamed Unit I over abused them,. ;I shan't do it auy inoro for I perceive tliero aro big hearts up there. It dident have to bo dragged out of. them by tho newspapers and the preachers, but it comes just gushing along until keeps a coining all tho timo, and the Lord only knows How much good they havo dono to those poor sufforin creatures whom Ho has afflicted so dreadfully. * , Gqv. Golquit said that the .Yankees wore n noble people, hut I thought maybe ho lmd jinod a mutual admi ration society up north, bul; I see I was niistakon and I am glad he .Avonb . to sco om for it will soften down both sides and by and by when wo get a ; good democrat in tho presidential offico wo will all have a love feast . and wo’l divide tho oighty thousand offices with ’em and givo Mv. Ilayes a good place for his good intentions. When John Tyler retired from Wash- ton they made him overseer of a pub lic road because ho put somo demo- , eriits in offls, and I reckon them Ohio radicals will do Mr. Hayes tlio. same way. Us about lime fora change any lvow, and iio patriot ought to object to it—for you know the radi cals have stole enough and they won’t stop, and the democrats have been ahusin om so long about it thoy would ho ashamed to go ut it right away thomsclvos. I don’t think they would got at it to . any unreasonable degree for four years, and by t.hut time I reckon thoso independents would got organized and capture tho whole concern. Then little Aleck will bo on hand, shore. You soo that I don't think that because a man is a democrat ho is altogether a saint, by iio means. He's just, human after all, and most all offls holders were offls seekers, and I'm bound to say that us a class they love,comfort more and labor loss, than any othor class of clover people, and it uint ono in a hundred that will vote to reduce salaries willingly, and if they can’t raise om a little ono way somo of om will do it another. I remember Hint when Bosh Tweed and company were first caught a steal in, u lamblike preacher of .offr town dident believe it anil said tc Judge Underwood it waft obliged to ho a slander, for they were all dem ocrats, und tho Judge replied, “well, my dear friend, I know they are democrats, hut a critical observation of meii and “rings for the past forty years, has satisfied mo that it is within the range of possibility fora demo- Urot to steal. ” Jesso! Yours, Bill Am*. P. S.—I intended to give you my honest opinjon of all this llolfzclaw business, hut the truth is I don't understand it. I thought I did hut I don’t. B. A. dogs. But most everybody lias a streak of human kindness in ’em, though it The followers of Butlor enliven the campaign by singing songs like this: Jlurc to bo a Butler, Dure to stand like men; Dare to have a purpose firm, Dare to vote for Ben. Mr. 0. D Sanders, of Parkersburg, West Vri., is a tall, straight, robust man, between fifty and sixty. He has not' slept fin* lii'lcen years; lie feels lived sometimes, but never Bleep/, though Ik* lias I ri<*d working continuously for ton or eleven days and nights. Heavy opiates have no effect upon him. Al high! lie goes to boil “so as to be out of the way,” and lips there aud thinks, but drieo not sleep.

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The Dublin post. (Dublin, Ga.) 1878-1894, September 25, 1878, Image 1