Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-09-09
From the St. LOUIS Weekly Gazette.
THE RETURN.
ny /" JEAN JACQUES.


As the sun-fower turns to her god when ne sets,
The same look that she turned when he rose ~
There are few stronger feelings i'm
PLANTED in the bosom Of man than the
love for the scenes Of his childhood.
Wander where we will; let US become
altered by the wealth, the beauty OF
other climes; let interest, fame, or hon
ors, bind us to the place Of our adop-
ton, still the destinations of Home cling
around our hearts and in our moments
Of silent contemplation are more dear
to US than any other objects on the page
Of memory. To the lonely wanderer
who finds, after years of adverse for
tune, that at last he has not obtained
happiness with wealth, how do the re-
collections of peaceful childhood come
welcomely back to his memory wien
nought else of retrospection could be
endured! How does The cottage Of his
father,
"The orchard, tho meadow, the deep, tangled
wild wood,''
rush upon his Imagination, and sup
plant the drcary realities of the pres
ent! Surely it is well for man that such
a resource is left within his bosom 10
beguile the tedum of hours that would
otherwise be insupportable. With the
mere +" citizen of the world" who has
no ties that bind him to the place of
his birth; no favorite spot of earth
where he might hope at last to lay his
weary bones, after life's race was run,
] could claim but little sympathy. For
my own part have traversed much
of the surface of this, our globe, but
have found no green spot SO dear to
memory, as
"'rhe place where was boru.'
But stronger is this feeling when
hallowed by tho recollection Of some
fond heart that beat in unison with
ours. Even though it may have been
chlldhood's love, the impression is the
more lasting for its simplicity, and in
despite Of perhaps its better judgment
of years, holds its sway with a degree
of power that age cannot weaken or
destroy. But enough Of my own feel
ings on this subject.
Clement Wildred was the only son
of wealthy planter in eastern Virgin
10. To physical organization fault
less, were added, beauty and dignity
Of features, amiability Of character,
bravery, and an education far superior
to what most young men of the age
possessed. For happy year after lea
wing college be was the charm of nu-
merous family circle, and the delight
Of doting friends; and my young rea-
ders, presume, will not be disposed TO
doubt the assertion that there was one
heart which beat for him with more
than parents, or sisters love. Gle
ment Mildred had an only sister: and
that sister he loved with all brothers
fondness; but she had companion,
beautiful as her own fair sclf--and Gle
ment loved the young, the beautiful
being, for the sake, as he thought, of
his sister.
One year CT unmingled happiness
had rolled, aad then tho blighting frost
Of adversely descended, aud Clement
Mildred stood beside the grave Of ia
Their, mother, sister!
" Insaiia,e archer! would not one suficel
.;'s.y .hai, flew thrice, and thrice my peace was
slain.''
No, all were gone; and Clement but
for one dear object would indeed have
been alone in the world. Emily Cor
don the companion of his sisters child
hood and Of his own, stood with him
beside their graves; strewed the last
flowers, and dropped The last tears to
their memory!
Months were passed, aud long
cherished friendship between Clement
and Emily had ripened, almost uncon-
sciously, into a settled attachment
The settlement of his fathers estate
required the absence for a few weeks
of Clement; aud it was then only that
the reluctant " larewell.' hung upon
the lips of either, that feelings which
had before been disclosed bur in looks,
found utterance in words. A minia-
ture, and lock of hair were exchanged
and they parted, soon, again to meet
ashley ,hought-and hope londly whis-
pered, 10 be happy for life.
But truly has il been SAID by the
great magician of the hearts my stories,