The Arkansas advocate., 1832-04-11

curve in the stream brought him close by the spot, and ile SAW tic student hal reciined beneath the tree, and mutter ing, but at broken intervals, to himself
 The words were not so scattered that Walter did not trace their clue, but utinyoluntarily he stopped short. with in q few feet of the soliloquist; and A. ram, suddenly turning round, beheld him. A fierce and abrupt change broke over the scholars countenance; his cheek grew now pale, now flushed; and his brows knit over his flashing and dark eyes with an intent anger, that was the more whitening, from its con trast to the usual calnnless of his fea- lures. Walter drew back, but Aram. walking directly up to him, gazed into his face as fine would read his very soul.
 "What eaves-droppingY said he, with ghastly smile. ~ ou overheard me, did you? Well, well, what did say2 what said I?n Then pausing, and nothing that Walter did not reply, he stamped his foot violently, and grinding his teeth, replied in smothcred tone, "Boyl what said I?''
 ssMr. Aram,o said Walter, ssy ou for get yoursclf,I am not one to play the listener, more especially to the learned rawlings of a man who can conceal no- thing care 10 know. Accident brought me hithcr.''
 "Whatl surely-surely I spoke aloud, did I not? did inotp'
 s.You did, but so incoherently and in- distinctly,that l did not profit by yourin- discretion. l cannot plagiarisc, ] as sure you, from any cholastic designs you might have been giving vent to.
 Aram looked on him fora moment, and then, breathing heavily, turned away.
 ssPardon me- he said, ,.s1 am poor, halfcrazed man; much study has an- neryed me; l should never live but with ny own thoughts; forgive me, Sir, l pray you.2
 Touched by tho sudden eontrition of Aran's manner, Walter forgot, not on- ly his present displeasure, but his gene ral dislike; he stretched forth his hand to the student, and hastened to assure him of his ready forgiveness. Aram sighed deeply as he pressed the young mans hand, and Walter saw, with sur prise and emotion, that his eyes were filled with tears.
 s.AhW said Aram gently shaking his head, Git is hard life We boolSmen lead. Not for us is the bright face of noon day or the smiles of woman, the gay unbending of the heart, the neigh ing steed, and the shrill trump; the pride, pomp, and circumstance of life. Our enjoyments are few and calm; our labor constant; but thatis it not, Sir2- that is it not? the body avenges it's own neglect. We grow old before our time; we whither up; the sap of youth shrinks from ouryeins there is no bound ia our steps. We look about with dimmed eyes, and our breath grows short and thick, and pains and coughs, and shooting aches comes upon us at night; 1t is bitter fife-a bitter life q ioyless life. I would had never com menced if. And yet the harsh world seowls upon us; our nerves arc broken. and they wonder we arc querulous our blood curdles, and they ask why we arc not gay our brain grows dig zy and indlstinct; (as with me just now) and shrugglng their shoulders, whisper their neighbor that we are mad. I wish had worked at the plough, and known sleep, and loved rnlrth-and-- and ;.aifd ::ssott not beer. cc:. what ] ann
 As the student uttered the last sem tence, he bowed down his head, and a few tears stole silently down his cheek. Walter was greatly afected--it took him by surprise; nothing in Aram's or dinary demeanor betrayed any facility to emotion; and he conveyed to all the idea of man, if not proud, at least cold.
 aYou do not suffer bodily pain, trust?' asked Walter, soothingly.
 ssPain does not conquer me,' said
 Aram. slowly recovering himself. ssl'an not melted by that which l would fair despise. Young man, I wronged you you have forgiven me. We'll, well, we
 will say no more on that head; it is pas and pardoned. Your father has beer kind to me, and have not returned hi
 advanccs, you shall tell him why. have lived thirteen years by myself, ant l I have contracted strange ways and ma ] nv bumoTs not common 10 the world you have seen an example of tilis.-
 Judge for yourself if ] be it for th'
 smoothness, and confidence, and ease 9