Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-09-07

genarian.-Stil, he lives on--as if TO spite
them all, and the children grow gray with age
anddisappoiutmen. before he loosens his grip
aof earthly things. How shameful that these
ardent. ambitious candidates for the pleasures
and honors of life. should be loaded down by
spperincumben, strata Of worn out, worthless
and rand-dads.-Whai
cprbs. VIVA. hampers, what everlasting thorns
in the flesh these old folks are, to ayou.h who
can sentimenially sing
Sweet is legacy, and passing sweet
The unexpected death OF some old lady,
Or gentleman of seventy years complete,
Who,ve made US youth wait quite too long already
For an estate, or town OF country seat
Sill ever living. ever dying, hope may So
lace us under hopes disappontmen,s. The
skin of the same dog that makes the wound
affords the best plaster. The long disappon'-
ed heirs of Ohio may console themselves by
rejecting that they are better off than Mahu-
selah's children;-bu, will now relate case
of unmi,iga,ed hardship, to which the wrongs
and sorrows of Werter are perfect bliss. Rea-
der, lie, me introduce you TO old Dives Hold
fas, and his son Absalom-both of TIumbull
Oounty, Ohio. Old Holdfast had good prop
er,y. Pleasant prospect was crowned by
white, stately stone edifce tina, contrasted WV
idly with the green lOcusts around it, embo-
somed in gardens. orchards and cultivated
fields. All this made Absalom glad that he
was born, and that the old gentleman was born
to die. Abs aom had three brothers who went
lhe way of all the earth as soon as they be-
came marriageable-they settled on The three
corners of the old mans plantation. and killed
ennui by quarrellng about their expectations.
Each accused the other Of 'sponging' beyond
his righiful proportion. Absaom piously lived
with his parents, baving respect to the recon-
pense of reward. Miss Prudence Thrifty first
taught Absaom what love was. She was
about 25: of course she cared nothing about
signs, sentiments and romantic vows of ever
lasting constapcy--these were moonshine; but
10 have .snacks' in such fine property as that
possessed by the old gentleman, was an OPP
por,usiiy no, TO be rejected in this selfish, cal
eula,ng woif4. Absalom and Prudence were
en- gaged-blissful re.atioh!-an invention OF
modern times: and ten times more comfortable
than rna,rimony, and extensively substituted ior
it in this age of modes.y and refinement. Pru'
dence was determined not to exchange this hap
by state except for as good al one. She shrank
from long years of obscunly and neglect 10
think she would be doomed should she throw
herself on the bounty Of a churlish fa,her.in-
law.-She counsellnd her ardent lover TO exer
else moderation; "Dives. poor old man can't
live out your time as well as his own.-I'hen
Absalom we can marry and be independent"
Never was Hercules doomed by woman TO
such trials as those Of Absalom-; years Of
suspense, hope deferred-you,h passing away,
and disappointment mocking him still! Al,
length his kind mother died-Absaom grieved
sorely, but ill is the wind thought he, that
blows no body any good; father will no,
stay behind very long now. "Wel father"
said Absalom, ''such stylish monument as
I have placed over mothers grave is enough
10 coax person to die; you shall have the
same honor, if survive you. You have
great many trials. know you want to follow
mother TO Heaven"
"Absalom, my son." replied Dives, II have
felt very lonesome since your dear mothers
death, ard have serious thoughts Of changing
my situation. / wish you 10 60 this instant
after Dr. Kilem and get him TO open This alb.
sess on my side"
20 father, as you value your Salvation, don't
have tina, done. You know you.got religion
only last Camp -meeting. If you should ge,
well Id be, my head you'd fall from grace in
a week. No father, | want you to die now,
and not give The devil another chance" Old
Dives became furious at Absaom's generous
concern for his spiritual welfare. He sprang
from the bed and exerted himself so violently
in applying his cane 10 Abs back that he broke
the absess. He got well instanter and walked
as sPrighly as youth Is. He became the
successful rival of the standing gallanis Of
Trumbull, and rode on horseback as erect as
militia general. He dipi his bald pate in the
famous buffalo hair OIL and 10 a new suit Of
glossy locks soon covered his head Absalom
was fairly thrown off the track-he cursed the
whole list Of patent medicines that made dry
bones live and old folks young. For the first
time be left the paternal roof and went down
The rirer hnninn hal the uaiers nf The Ms