Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-06-29
Whole No. 90.


his ulterance was nearly choked with grief
Big thoughts were that night revolving III the
mind of our little hero, young as he was.
The next day John worked as usual. No
one could have told from his appearance, as hG
struggled away at his labor, that any thing
had occurred TO change the curren, of his
Thoughts Half an hour after sunset he stood
at the gate of Farmer Churchill. Ellen met
him. and they sauntered across the field Ia
their fayorltc resting place; here they sat
down.
ii What's the matter, John - asked Ellen
81 notice you have rot spckcr sinre we left
the gate"
" fllen," said John with a good deal OF
seriousness, do you love mcl"
More than a hundred times before this,
Ellen had told John that she loved him. But
it had been when they were in playful mood.
aud as one child opens its heart to another
Now she was called upon to speak IN a different
strain. She knew that she really loved, al
most as she loved her own beng: that she
was happy in his presence, and sad even at
heart, when he was away. She almost wor-
shipped him and yet, what should she say To
this abrupt question She hung down her
head to hide tear that was stealing over her
check. Johns quick eye saw IL, ard y wrs
enough. He casped her in his arms, and
huggcd her closely TO his breast.
Z" Yes know you love me, dear Ellen, and
] was cruel TO ask SO silly question. But
want to ask one more Could YOU love me
four long years, without seeing me :"
This was a strange question, and il is no
matter of wonder that Ellen hesi,ated 10 an
swer it..
"What can you mean, John - she asked
after moments silence. g You know that
! would love you even forty wears, should We
he separated so long, and should our lives be-
spared. But what can you mean by asking so
,crrible a question " cannot be- that you
think ofleavihg me, 10 be gone four long
years. Certainly yon would not do that.
John -
For moment, John found it hard to speak
but he summoned all his courage, and his
thoughts al last found uuerance.
" Dear Ehen," he said tendery, g cannot
stay longer here. ] have toiled eaily aud late
ever since | was large enough to work in tl"
field but with all ! could do, AMI al ny poor
nothet could do, we have obtained only =
tolerable living. We have not got beforehand
enough to build new barn. or repair our old
log house. Now we learn--my mother lea rned
it yesterday-that house, barn, land and ALL
are mortgaged TO Scribner, the grocer, for
nearly their full value My father has drank
them up. The motgage, ho~eter, has vet
more than four years to run; ard have thought,
If ! could get work IN some Of the large towns
on the sea-board, might possibly. IN that time,
redeem our home, and save Us from utter ruin
Perhaps III were away, father would do better
at eas, ! th uk he would harvest the crops !
have labored 50 hard io secure. | shall speak
to him, and my mother, tomorrow; and Il
they are willing, shall feel bound 10 try my
fortune somewhere else. Ii is our oply hope. "
Ellen listened in painful silence. She had
never thought ot separation before, ard IT came
terribly home to her young heart now. Blu.
she saw in the project OF her lover something
worthy OF greatness, and she determined not to
give him additional pain by raising objections.
- Go, she said. as tho hot tears now couIsed
dow her pale check" go and ! will love YOU,
und pray for you
Night was now gathering in the valleys and
about the hIl-tops. The notes of the whippo'
wills were heard IN the distance; aud the young
lOsers were warned il was time to return home.
Just then they heard slight rUstling IN the
thlckel on the other side Oi he stream. Pos
sibly 1t was Farmer Churchill, for Ellen found
him not at home when she arrived there.
The next day John spoke 10 his mother of
his plan of rcdceming the farm, and though I've
could not inspire her with much faith in lis sue
cess, hc did finally obtain her consent To us
making the trial. The father was not so soon
10 give way, for he knew that if his son Was
absent, he must be more at home, but his oplo-
slion was not violent, and he al hast was coaxcd
to say. that "John is gcod boy, and may 60
where he pleases."
On the following Monday morning, john
took what clothes his mother bad prepared for
5 him, carefully tied them in large handkerchief,
hung them to stick cut for the purp' Sc IN the
thcket by the brook, lifted them 10 his shoulder,
shook hands with his father, kissed MS mother,
and with as stout a heart as could be expected
IN one of his years, left the old log cabin IN
which he was born. At the foot of the hill,
aud hid from the view of either house, he met
Ellen, who had cone here to give him parting
:, word aud a parting kiss. She wps uot all
paicty. nor was she al tears: but with strength
becumnu womanhood, she urged hm 10 keep
i, good heart and rely on her constaney hli
U his return. lie answered her with an assurance
+ ochis undying affection, and the expression of
: his determination To return home at the end oi
four wears, whether he should have accompliscd
!, his object or not. Then they embraced-and
" parted.
y When John came opposite The neat eo''arc
!, of Farmer Churchill, he found The good iarncr
himself standing AZ the gate lie approached
!, him { give him parting shake OF the hahd'
Ia |
y him gently aside to corner Of he yard, aud
i they conycrsed together for some TINE. All
= ,hcy said. might tell the reader, If knew:
. but when they parted. Uncle Job Was seen to
:, slip a couple Of silver dollars into the boy y
/, hand. and was heard to 'ell him to beware Of
bad company, to trust IN God, and To remember
= his old mother To all or any part Of which,
, John wac too much affected to make any reply
In a short time he was again on his way toward
the busiling cities of the sca-board, IN some
one Of which he hoped to earn the money that
, should preserve to his mother her home
= Now John Smith, the senior, bcstlr YOURSELF
{ Your only boy, and ono Of the best BOYS ihat
ever summed himself on New England hill
: side. has lcft YOU to harvest your own grain,
G and get ready for snier. Keep away from
n ,ha, prop shop, and you will do well ororgh.
: Go there, and every thing besides vii le neg-
= lectcd'
d t, the time speak Of 7 10 not krcv as John
Smith senior would have needed the fsuIinfi
al a. aud