Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-08-31

touches upon his character, without which no
model is perfect; and he, in turn, reformed an
equally good service to her, in strengthening
her Judgment and directing her tastes. All
the good counsel he gained from HE tutor he
impaired to his dear little pupil; and so they
grew up together, intelligent, loving and pure.
But it is not permitted us to dwell in Eden
forever, and at the age of fourteen Gerald was
sent away 10 college.
Phebe was quite desolate for many weeks
but gradually she involved herself with a va
riety of pets, such as flowers and birds, and
rabbits, and made an estimate of the amount
| of knowledge she must acquire before Gerald
came home at vacation.
But it must be confessed poor Phebe was
sadly disappointed when vacation came. She
had rapidly improved in her studies, and cal
culated on receiving much praise and assist
ance from her young tutor; instead of this, he
brought home with him classmate for a COM
panion, and spent the whole vacation in gun
ming and fishing. seeming to take no more in
terest in poor Phebe and her studies, than he
did in the affairs of the chambermaid.
Gerald was not tickle. He would have been
very angry if any person had accused him of
neglecting his sweet friend but like other
boys, he was charmed with the novelty of
having a male companion who could share IN
those wild and daring sports he so dearly loved.
Phebe did not neglect her studies, however,
because she was neglected by her tutor. She
loved knowledge too well to be discouraged in
its pursuit Mrs. Appleton, who really loved
the beautiful child, found it an interesting
amusement to teach so quick and thoughtful
mind The only book Phebe hated was her
arethmetic. Geography she loved, particularly
the descriptive portions; but it was to botany
she devoted herself with the most passionate
ardor.
She lived, breathed and had her being in
flowers. She did not care SO much about the
beautiful ones around her door, as for the
lonely blossoms she found far away among the
rocks, or hidden amid the roots of old trees
There was sentiment in these pure and SOL
itary things that bewitched alike her fancy
and her heart.
She did not talk of them, or wear them in
her hair, nor gather them often for her little
vase; but she sat down beside them in the
lonely woods, and gazed and gazed at them,
till her heart ran over with poetry and love-
-Four years passed away, and Gerald Apple
ton graduated with high honors. Phebe fat
tered herself that she should now renew her
intercourse with her old friend again. She
was disappointed A day or two after his
return from college, he met her walking in the
park.
'Ah, my sweet Phebe, how do you do? I
am glad to see you again. | shall never for
get the happy days we have spent together.
When shall we renew them? All, Phebe,
perhaps neveri for when l return from Eu-
rope, dare say some other young tutor-eh ?
Phebei will have borne away our fairest
fower!'
'Europel you are not going to Europe,
Gerald?'
Il am, Phebe, so happy. Isball never rest
contentedly in Appleton Place, till have seen
something the world abroad. Never shall
have better opportunity.
I am young now, eDtangled with no domes-
tic or business ties, with my bead full of classic
al associations, and all the enthusiasm requi-
site to make me enjoy to the fullest, visit to
the shrines of the olden deities. More than
ALL my dear chum is going, and entreats me to
accompany him. Father has consented, and
we shall start early next month. My head is
full of nothing but Europe now
SO should suppose. What delightful
time you VIII have! But we-ab, we shall
miss you very much!'
Dear Phebe! But the absence will be short.
Only two years, and then back l shall hasten
to Appleton Place, Loving it more than ever.
After Gerald's departure, Phebe applied
herself with fresh ardor to her studies. She
took a sudden interest in history especially
did she delight in the histories of Greece and
Rome-the countries where her friend Gerald
was to spend so many exciting months She
used to sit long afternoons, reading upon these
subjects to Mrs. Appleton, and interspersing
them with annQtations of her own, such as
these-'Ah, Gerald will see that spot 4
wonder how Gerald will feel walking under
those triumphal arches?' Mrs. Appleton, dc
you think Gerald viii visit the Acropolis? %
AS Phebe grew older, however, she ceased
TO mention his name so often; and instead o
spending much of her time at the Place, used
to shut herself up in her own little room, and
pore over new class of literature.
She began the study of the old Englisl
dramatists, copies of which she fround in the
Appleton library, and which she soon discov
cred were full of notes and pencil marks-the
work of Gerald during vacations. How mucl
TASTE what fine criticism had he displayed J
Phebe felt almost as much assisted as though
she had had him at her side to direct hel
judgment,
After the dran,atists she turned with fresh
avidity to the other old poets-to Chauser
to Spenser, the ballad writers, down to the
poets of our own age.s
1t was a great study, but Phebe never tho
of growing weary. Her fine taste, her natu
raj passion for the beautiful, her love of mel
ody, all aided her in understanding and en-,
Toying their merits. 1t was beautiful sigh
to look in at the window of that vine-covered
cottage, and see the little modest room and its
fair young inmate. With her table drawn uF
before the window, flower on her bosom, anc
another lying before her. book beneath hei
hand,-ah! those hands-tending flowers haG
never spoiled them!-wearing her favorite
dress of white cambria, her dark hair falling il
curls over her soft fair checks, and her eye,
fastened upon the fascinating page, she was
indeed picture worthy of painters skill
and poets song.
Sometimes she would close her book, and
lsit with her head resting upon her hand il
long and delicious revery. One day this rev