Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-04-09


give place in the columns of the Standard, if it
meets your appreciation. Being an individual of
modest pretensons, must beg your indulgence
in my appearing over the unassuming signature OF
NED. NICE.
BOy-hOOd in Columbus.
awe wandered TO the village Tom, I've set beneath
the tree,
Upon the school-house playground which sheltered
you and me;
But none were there to greet me Tom; and few were
left to know,
That played with us upon the green some twenty
years ago."
After some years of absence and wandering,
once more become resident of Columbus, time
which stamps his impress all things earthly,
here too had wrought some changes The stately
mansion now rises above the place where the vii
lage cottage stood, look but in vain for the face
of many familiar friend, and I meet strangers
gaze, where l greeted by the smile of
cordial friendship Some that were young in years
had gone; and some that were sages in wisdom
and pillars in strength, had passed forever from
the walks of men. The sinking proclaimed
the close of balmy day in June, and the twilight
zephyr whispered soothingly to my weared spirit
as l stole quietly from the more crowded walks of
the city, and INDUCED pensive mood in lone and
silent wanderings, along the more retired, subur-
ban ways, here and there l wandered along,
old and familiar objects arrested my attention, OBJ
jects which being less rudely assailed by the hand
of time served as connecting links in the chain of
association, unfettered fancy lead me over the
scenes had passed, long long, years before, and
reveled in the mellow light of boy hoods halcyon
days.
Conspicuous above all other objects of interest,
stood my old homestead, what mingled emotions
crowd my breast as l lean upon the old paling,
and contemplate the consecrated spot. There still
is the weeping willow which my brother and
planted many years ago. Then, it was buta bough,
cut from the parent trunk, now, it is vigorous
tree, how gently waves its flowing foliage, in the
soft south wind. But alas the beloved ones that
used to linger here, the companions of my lifes
young morning are all gone. Continuing my wan
behring's passed another spot, which though pos
sessing intrinsic attraction, yet holds place in
the archives of my memory, from the following
incident l would first premise that the school
boy has his schoolgirl love, and | had mine
Returning one evening from school, l found my
self just at the spot above mentioned, in company
with the object of my boyish affections, and as
Stunning very courageous air, l stepped boldly up
and for a few steps, walked galantly by her side,
thinking doubtless by my clever exploit to elicit
the applause of my other companions, but i'll
fortune did me betide; for salient angle of my
tin bucket caught her apron and therein made
rent Do you remember it NJ? Long years
have passed away since then, and you have per-
haps forgotten the schoo-boys unfortunate gallant
ry. At least, you have forgiven him the rent in
your check apron. No longer now, a romping
schoolgirl, but dignifed matron, you are still
living in Columbus
! Grand, gloomy and peculiar stands dusky pile
of brick and mortar, not the least dear to my
memory. The old Franklin Academy The
creaking weathercock still turns with the eddying
wind; and the bell Ginning out with familiar sound
calls the tagging school-boy to his books, yet in
size, the old building doth somewhat disparaged
seem by lapse of years, in other respects too doth
it bear the marks of time. paused to gaze up
on the familiar grounds, and again was boy,
again with straw hat all tattered and torn with
bare feet and pants rolled up, shared the boyish
fun out on the well beaten play ground Opposed
to the school-boy loves are his hates, among OBJ
iects of the latter GLASS; the ferule bears its share
of i'll will, single incident may suffice as reason.
On one occasion during the hours of school, Z
juvenile Demosthenes occupied as his rostrum the
bench upon which l sat; not being particularly
fascinated with his eloquence, slyly reached out
my hand and inflicted pinch upon his leg, where
upon, Demosthenes with very ungainly gesture
of the pedal extremity thought to return the COM
pliment, in other words he kicked at me, and my
ofense being thus exposed received condign
punishment with the ferule. Still from the play
ground ring the clear peals of joyous glee, and
happy faces are there ruddy with glowing youth
But in vain do l look around for the companions
of my early years. Alas the vision of boyhood
vanishes and I feel ''the close fitting garment of
manhood" Where are the groups of merry boys
that used to assemble here in bygone days?
/ at seems but yesterday OF scarce SO long ago.
Yet they all gone Scattered upon he wide wide world
ome the church yard laid sleep beneath the
But few are left of old class, excepting you and me-
Respectfully inscribed to my friend Tom.
NED NICE
/