The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-06-01
From the massachusetts, Journal.
DARBY AND JOAN.

P'S9t GOuple L ever saw anu the ndppleSt be-
cause they were the best. What pleasant re.
miniscence have of their little neatly sanded
parlor-the old lady knitting in her high back
ed chair, with her snowy cap, and muslin hand
kerchlef pinned down in such a matronv re-
spectacle way-and the old gentleman in his
clean Quaker garb, smoking his pipe, and read
ing his Bible. Every thing had such an air of
old fashioned comfort The clock with the
full-taeed moon peering above the dial-plate,
, ticking away so socially in the corner-the
heavy round tea-table, black as ebony and pol
ished as a mirror-the low fag-bottomed chair
the high steel andirons-the cat purring at
Il her mistress's feet-and the old dsg asleep,
with his paws upon his masters shoe. All had
such quiet, hospitable, New England look
all was in such good keeping with the venera-
BILE occupants. Alas, that such specimens are
becoming 90 faro in villages! such tami-
lies as old Smeon's form the rock on which a
republic can safely rest. Heaven help us,
when the foundation is clean rome!
One of The most attractive traits in the char
acters of this respectable couple was their ex-
treme attachment to each other. They were
perfect Darby and Joan. In his youth, Simeon
had been sailor but his beloved Mary was
Quaker, and very averse to a sea farng life .
he early became proselyte to her faith, pur-
chased tract OF land in new State, and put
up his log hut in the wilderness. Many soita-
ry, but cheerful years of labor and sefdenial
passed away middle age found them surround
ed by numerous family, and by all the COM
forts and conveniences of moderate wealth
old age found them alone again but blessed in
The atfectonate attention of their neighborlnr
children; and doubly blessed in religious hone
and enduring love. If Simeon had a favorite
tree,or cherished nook in his garden, Mary
mus watch lis progress and often might the
aged couple be seen walking there in the sun
shine, arm in arm. He watched by her pillow
in sickness, and placed her chair and footstool
IN health. | remember once hearing the old
man describe his only visit to the sea-shore, af-
ter he became farmer. He spoke with unu-
sual enthusiasm. Verify there is something
very wonderful and beautiful in the sea, said
ne: Then the ships seemed to speak to me of
my young days; the sight of them stirred my
old blood | assure thee could not have re-
Trained from taking trip if l had not known
how anxious Mary would be. She had ever a
great dread of the water Il am sorry thy
heart hankered after the sea, Simeon inter
rupted the matron, looking affectionately upon
him for it seems as ifthou didst love the ships
better than thy wife
Nay, Mary replied he, there is small dan
ger of that, as thou well knowest. An migrate
tul man must be to neglect thee !; for a bless
ing hast thou been to me all the days of thy
| life
The fullness of youthful love, abundantly rich
in the present moment, and thoughtess of the
future, is beautful-but not half as beautiful as
y, tried and faithful love shedding its mild and
hallowed light upon the very Threshold Of the
tomb. There is so little Of earthly leaven about
such affecton--its atmosphere is so pure and
holy! The alloy of human passion, the vile
suggestions of interest, the impatient struggles
OF ambition, are all forgotten-and nothing re-
mains but the softened remembrance of early
D., hopes, and visions imperlectly realized, it is
true, in this vale of tears, but still blessed IN
their fruitlon, beyond all the world has to offer.
The recollection of Darby and Joan has made
me too laxative. When | began, | simply
meant to relate an anecdote illustrative of Sim
cons religious character; pious without fanat.
acism, and rational without any of the sinful
deadoning pride of reason. One bright autumn
night, the aged couple, having as usual united
in prayer, retired to rest. A few minutes after
the light was extinguished, loud shrek from
Mary alarmed Simeon. What is the natter +
exclaimed he, starting up. Look there Look
there : screamed Mary, hiding her face under
the bed-clothes, as she spoke. Look where
Mary" There There! Over the closet
door There is face on the wall looking down
upon us. Thou art crazy, Mary said the
old man, in an anxious tone Show me where
it is Mary pointed to the spot; and Simeon,
whose honest mind scorned the slightest decep
, ton, even to answer the best of purposes, at
once said, 'Thou hast spoken the truth, Mary ;
assureGIy there is a face looking upon US bat
it has tho aspect of an angel, and it cannot
, come for evil. | will get light and examine
the cause of this; for | have ever thought the
mind Of man createth its own phantoms 1T
is warning-I am sure it is warning said
the old lady, speaking in a subdued and solemn
; tone. And fit be warning, Mary, are we
; not ready to depart But keep thy face COW
cred, while 90 Cor light; and do not indulge
thy terror Whatever the face may be, it hath
very smiling aspect
When the light was brought, the vision van
f ished.
, 'Of truth this is beyond any thing have
3 ever met with said Simeon Hit be of anoth-
I er world, may It's mission be blessed 1t hath
a very kind expression.
After much discussion and conjecture, the
candle was placed in an adjoining apartment
and the pious couple tried to compose them
selves TO sleep.
9 Still that shadowy face looked down upor
them with its cold, sweet, bland expression
Mary believed it to be an angel; for woman.
mind is ever prone to reverence and supersti
= ton but Simeon, though he said he was viii
ling to believe, could not rest till lie had triet
all means to prove it an illusion.
Again he arose, and brought the light-agair
own shadow ovef t-and succeeded. 'Ther,
must be natural cause for this said he { fo
spiritual form could not be clouded by NOR
tai shadow
r The curtains, the chairs, almost every thing
in the room, were moved TO no purpose. A
last, Simeon took up bowl of milk which haC
been placed in tlie window, where the brigh
y moonlight rested on it. The face changed it:
= place-and in an instant the resemblance was
!, lost 1t was the reflection of the milk upon
:, the wall, aided by Imagination
a When some of the neghbors heard Simeon
4 relate this story; they praised his calmness and
y courage, and said it would teach them to disbe
lieve all wonderful stories, in future.
AS for courage said Simeon, he that haiti
- trust in God can never fear. But as for dis
believing all wonderful things, that, my friend
is not spoken in the spirit of Christian humii
g ty. deem it well TO examine closely; for IL
IS this imperfect state, our senses, our nerves, ant