The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-04-03


she would steal away alone, fearful of the
ridicule of her harder companions.
But one night Ben came to Mrs, Mays
cottage, to bid them goodbye. Alice stood
by the window watching the stars, wonder
ing what made them so dim-never thinkingI
of the tears that dimmed her eyes, as Ben told
over his hopes so joyfully. She could not
part with him there, so she walked through
the little door-yard, and stood beside the
gate, looking like golden angel
in the yellow moonlight and when he told
her over again how large she would be on
his return, that he would not dare to call
her little Alice then; as he looked back
lingeringly, she laid soft brown curl in his
hand, saying-"I have kept it for you this
long long time, Ben ever since the day
you brought me home through the snow
do you remember?"
He did remember and with one passion
ate burst of grief, he pressed the little girl to
his bosom, and the brave-hearted boy sobbed
the farewell he could find no words for.
But five years are not always life time.
True, it was such to the quiet, thoughtful
Charlie Allan, whose large dark eyes had
laughing little Bel Archer-both were laid
W SlGcD III lllG Olu CllulCl Ndlu. WllClC lllC
night-stars shone on their graves. Others
went out to seek future in the gay world land
some grew into miniature men and women
by their own sweet firesides; but Alice May
seemed still child. Yes, she was taller.
and her slight form more gracefully devel-
oped but there was the same angel looking
through her eyes as had watched there In
the olden days. She staid at home now, to
assist her mother in sewing-their chief sup
port but she was the same shy. sweet Alice
that Ben Bolt had carried through the
snow.
Ben Bolt had come back. How strange
that five years should have passed so quick
! ly, and stranger still that this tall, hand
some sailor, whose voice was so full and
rich, should be Ben Bolt. Kate Ashley was
not thinking of the sweet Sabbath rest as
the chime of the church bell foated through
the village; there she stood before her mir
ror, arranging her shining curls, and fasten-
ing her dainty bonnet, with its white rib
bons and dropping blue bells, thinking if she
could not fascinate Ben with her sparkling
eyes,-it would be delightful to have his
chief attention during his stay.
He thought she did look very beautiful, as
he sal, before service, looking on the older
faces-but there was fairer one than hers hi
+ fancied, as he saw the sweet face Of Alice
: May, with the half-closed eyes, and long
5 golden-edged lashes, shadowing the pale
cheeks He carried in his bosom curl lik
the one nesting so softly by her temple
and it was talisman, keeping him from
, the enchantment of other eyes.
i When the service was closed, Ben wa
: thronged about by old familiar faces-the
, had so much to say, so many things to speal
/, of, so much JOY to express at his safe return
that it we'll nigh bewildered him. 1t wa
/ very pleasant to be so warmly welcomed b
E old friends, delightful TO chat Of by-gones
4 and it was indeed Sabbath of Joy to Be-
: Bolt
t Sweet Alice! All, how long and wear
the time had been to her. Sometimes he
n heart died within her as she thought of tn
s broad ocean; but when she looked so shyl
r at Ben that morn, and saw how handsom
e he had grown, heart-sickness came owe
v her, and the sunshine fell but dimly on th
|. grass at her feet She knew she had hidde
If away in the depths of her pure heart, wilC
i earthly love, and she strove to put it frol
Y her, for would he think of her nolU9 So
J. was no wonder she should slip her slendt
e hand in her mothers and steal quietly frol
d the joyous throng.
1t was Sabbath eve--one of those balm
IS moonlight evenings of the young summer