Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-03-19
THE LAST BELL.

1t was beautiful morning in the month of
May 1926. was sitting by the side of Hell
en- Harris, the only girl ever loved, and,
believe the only girl that ever loved me-any
how, she was the only one that ever told me so.
We were sitting in the piazza of her fathers
house, about a quarter of a mile from the land
ing place, waiting for the bell of the steamboat
to warn me of the moment that was to part
"my love and me-" it came to pass, in the
course of my history, that, in order to accumu-
late little Of this worlds gear, that might
be better prepared to encounter the demands of
matrimony, was destined to cross the blue
Chesapeake, and seek, in the metropolitan city,
the wherewithal so much desired. How ma
ny SWANS have been compelled, like me, to
leave home, and the girl they loved, in search
Of gold: and how many have been disappoint.
ed !! But to the piazza!
Well, we were sitting in the piazza, and
talking Of our love. separation, &C.: We were
waiting for the unwecome sound Of the steam-
boat bell, and you may rely on it, we talked
fast, and abbreviated our words icto such rug
ged sentences that no body but ourselves could
understand them. The first bell rung, and
sprung to my feet, and tTernbled like an aspen.
Oh, George, wait till the last bell rings"
said Helen, as the . big bright tears came over
her soft blue eyes, ;'Do no such thing" an
swered the hoarse yoics OF Mr.. Harris, as he
arose like spectre fen the cellar, where he
had been packing away his cider. George,
never wait for the last bell" was off like
deer, and arrived at The steamboat merely in
time to 60 on board before she was pushed off
from the wharf.
My career in search OF pelf has in degree
been successful, but be!,e"c had not the old
farmer told me s'aever .owait Tor the last bell"
that now should ,iave been as poor as the
morning that farewell shivered from my lips
upon the heart Of my lovely Helen. Any per-
son who has lived at hotel even for single
day, knows the danger Of waiting for the last
bell. did it once and lost my dinner. The
first stroke of the dinner hell since then has al
ways found me ct the TABLETOP six months
| was clerk, and my never waiting for the
last bell secured for the the affections of my
employer, who offered me partnership, which
| accepted, and in every instance when the
bel, rung, was ready.
had almost forgotten TO tell you, that Hell
en- Harris was my wife, and she will never
repeu, the morning took her father at his
word, and ran over the field to get to the boat
in time. When arrived at Baltimore, CALI
ed or some gentlemen TO whom had introduce
| tory letters, and they recommended me tor
situation; one was soon offered, which had
been refused BY four young men who were
| waiting for the last bell, and which accepted
lit was the making Of me. Haste for the first
bell accept the first offer, and keep it till you
get better. Life is short, and he who puts it off
until the last bell, will, es Farmer Harris pre-
diets, "come out At the little end of the horn"
Young ladies' have word for you. In
the street live, there is lady who has been
seven years in choosing partner for life. She
has had several respectable offers, but she was
waiting for the "last bell," and she is now
likely to remain to the last belle, for she is
| turned of thirty, and it is more than probable
| she must bide her blessedness forever. Now
beseech all Of you who may read this sketch.
whenever you may feel disposition to post
pone any thing which should be done now, to
remember the words OF Farmer Harris, :" New
| er wait for the last tell.'