Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-08-05
ABEL GORDON

am an old man now---years have passed
since the events which am about to record
TRANSFERRED, but they live wildly in my recol-
lection, as though they were but things of yes-
terday. Many may deem my story a table,
the creation of a heated magination---wouId
that could persuade myself il were SO; would
that could persuade myself that the whole of
long life has been but a shadowy dream---a
nothing, that could wake and find myself a
gay and happy boy, with all youths freshness
OF feeling, and none Of these grey hairs! Alas.
it is all true! The burning brand was thrust
upon my brain, soaring, blighting every vision
OF youth, every happy and joyous aspiration.
MY nature underwent change, and now. tho
strive to believe that the world is what it
seems, it is in vain. Icannot believe in hui
man honesty again. look upon all who an.
proach me with cold suspicious eve, and a
heart which would fain open itself to kind
ness, ifit felt that it dared and could. And
then to avoid the agony which the knowledge
Of Its inability causes me, strive calmly to
bring before me the incidents of nv bliphted
life.
was dreaming enthusiast from very
child; one that loved to sit alone hour after
hour watching the beautiful stars and the pale
moon, with her mild, holy light, which beam
II ever so brightly, still looks sad and sorrow.
iul, as though It were growing for the sin and
sufteringof she beings Of the world it illumes.
! had a11Sorite seat in large wild space, they
call agarden (and truly was it an Eden to
me!) when l used to sit and inquire what those
orbs could DO; my favorite conclusion was,
that eseh was the bright habitation Of an angel
or guardian spirit, one of whom was allotted
TO each human being; that the moon was their
superior power, to whom the troubles of each
Individual they watched over was referred to.
Only aromantic and visionary child like my
self could have formed such notions and re-.
famed them after my own improved sense had
explained to me the folly of them, for even af-
ter CHILDHOOD had passed away, | could not
quite forget them; and / have often caught my
sell watching anxiously for the appearance Of
the one star, which called mine, and felt dis
appointed and unhappy if the night passed and
! did not see it.
Manhood came, and with it love; do not
believe that one Of Heavens creatures ever
passed through life without loving, from the
high and brilliant scholar to the untutored pea
SAINT girl. For me, / love all and every one,
not fond word was bestowed on mo that was
not repaid ten-fold; and may solemnly de-
clare that not kind look has ever through my
life been lost upon me. lcreated world round
me of fancied purity and goodness, and the
queen was Abel Gordon. looked into those
large blue eyes, which always used to remind
me of the stars loved so we'll, and fancied
that they beamed more brightly upon me than
on any other; listened to her sweet voice, and
deemed that it grew sweeter and softer al INV
approach; and ! Loved her. loved Abel Cor
don till my very soul was wrapt in excess Of
alteration. Ifever thoughts and feelin 70 were
uncontaminated by the world, thus were mine:
not an unholy thought did ever entertain con.
corning her.
At length ! confessed my love, BY words.
in the worlds fashion, as If love ever headed
telling; asi looks and tones said nothing; as
II love could be concealed. unexpressed, till
the lips pronounce the formal words and mes-
sured sentences! confessed my love, and
sued for return. am now an old deserted
man. Years have passed since Adsl Gordon
and sat together in the starlight but still.