The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-03-26

land she knew we'll she should be her.
early. Why gazc at me? she is no
.-.no, no, no, nothing has happened.
tell me, is she safe, is my dear chilt
safe? Oh God! I remember, Mary
is dead---dead! Ha! ha! ha!' Ant
with loud shrieks, he dashed hi!
hand to his forehead.
Soon he sat down again upon Iii;
low iron stool, dcjcctcdly, and spoke
not; then looking up again, he gazct
round and upon the keeper and my
self who stood by the door beyond
his reach.
"Como nearer TO me- said he beck
oning; come near, not you; no, not
you, | fear you, and he shuddcred as
the keeper stepped towards him
fear you, for your eyes strike terror
to my heart: and that, and the form
Of my child before me ever, arc all a
drcad!. Conc, and l will tell you OF
my little Mary, my own pet child: III
tell you how she died
Not daring to trust myself within
his reach, l stepped as near to him
as possible, so that he could not rcacl,
nc; he bent forward, placed his hand
upon his head and with sudden trc-
NOR, and wildly glarins eye, lie
began:
Once, l know not when, but l
could count by days, | knew the
night, could tell the bright sun and
clear moon and stars, but now all are
the same to me--.-days l know none,
and light fingers around me ever:
well, long, long ago, cvc | came to
this dull, gloomy place, 1 was out
among men; drank, ate, cried, laugh
cd, like men, aye, and that too MGR
rily, for | was jester in The ring, made
the crowd, the hcartlcss rabblc laugh
and shout, and raised a merry noise,
no matter il my heart was sick or gay,
but | was glad sometimes to sec the
long tiers, and closely packed LEES,
ard the stalls, cac' sses.n ssesn ss,ilstau 81 N.s.
tsl'trur the lulnA - ahd .As.g.G ~ ~
words, and l,rRGN,iillr,Ts.. Vas ;hc c;}ncs
u. 1t ALTO hear ffIo loud hurrihs,
and to see them wave their hats and
handkerchicis, when, with a shrill
whoop, | jumped into the ring. That
would cheer me sometimes when my
heart bcllcd the laugh upon my face.
the jest to winch my tongue give
uttcrancc.
We'll, so years went on, until my
wife my own beloved Mary, died; her
whom l loved so iondly and truly, |
laid TO slecpin the cold, damp earth:
no one could have thought that I,
the jester, the clown, the one who
then laughed, could weep! Bat oh I.
how many hours have passed be-
sides that lonely grave? my Mary.
she loved me as few women love; she
had trod on the same rough road.
walked beside INC in my troubles and
SORROWS, sharing what | enjoyed or
suffering without a murmnr; and
when | knew she was dead, it seemed
as il my time on earth was over, and
the same crave dug for her should
take me also. But she had let me one
over whom | must watch with ANXIOUS.
ness, and love, if possible, more than
heretofore my little daughter. the
image Of her mother, my own little
pet Mary.
i struggled with the deep, the bit
ter curse Of poverty. Could have
gained a livelihood by toll, inccssaut
hardship and endurance, elsewhere.
gladly would | have rushed oft, and
blessed heaven for its kindness. BIT
no; poor broken-down, a miserable
wrctchcl man-no profession, no
business save the one | followed. |
was still forced to drag on the arena.
where my wants allowed but very
sGort, scanty respite upon my wifc's
death.
But what cared the crowd ? the
clown shonld not be sad; no, no. ini
possible for tic RIM jester to weep,
it was thing unhcarA Of, and wou!d
raise q louder laugh than any Of my
hvcicst sallics. And so, with heart
ovcrburthcncd, sick and faint, | was
forced to laugh and make merry.
'Oh, what a pleasure and JOY tc
Inc was little Mary how sweet art
less smiles lit up the gloom within ny
breast how her merry laugh mad,
me feel young and happy for til,
time, and with what londncss, strange
ay, mad devotion, did hang upol
every word, every look Of hers! ! Sh,
grew and was beautiful indeed.
How many hours when the toll 0
my profession was over for the III IA
did sit beside her little cot, an,
gaze upon her as she lay sleeping bc
fore me often, very often, with
smile playing unon her lovely face
telling that her dreams were swcc
and pleasant and making ne eve
s.oi!v myself as ] looked upon he,