The Shasta courier., 1855-07-28
THE SHASTA COURIER
For tie Shasta Courier.
A Sketch---Pride.
p A r 7 FIRST

= tfsssttt tsaft# L "A II L . Il. ~
Twas Saturday even-ihe Towering time OF
year, on old Muskingum's banks. Scattered
over the fiowery meadows and gentle slope OF
Hamblin's hill, were little parties of girls and
boys. The sun had sunk behind the western
hills, yet gilded with his setting rays old
Harvey's peak. Farther than the rest boy
and girl strayed; both intent on gathering flow
ers, but the boy most anxious seemed, running
here aud there with earnest will. to pluck but
tercup or red pink. which ever anon he brought
with boyish delight to the girl, and as reward
received a guileless smile, SO sweet that years
may not wear all its charms away. Fourteen
summers had ripened The golden grain and gone
since the boy walked into soul; twelve times
the flowers had blown and faded for the girl.
The boy much the taller of the two, yet
slender, with intelligent but saddened face at
rest-wake an interest, and the flashing eye and
flushing cheek told of latent spirit, such as make
or mar mems fortunes in the world The girl
was fair as the flowers, she culled, in spirit as
gentle and pure as the odor laden breeze that
foated along the Aowery meadow meath their
feet
The last lingering reflections of the setting
sun had faded from the eastern hills, and the
boy and girl sat them down on a grassy slope to
arrange their flowers. Both were silent. Sad
ness was on the boys face, and the sweet pen
sive eye of the girl told of mutual sympathy :.
she was the first TO speak: u .
But you don't mean to 60 soon, and when
you do go, you'll come back before you are a
man, won't you ~
The shade darkened on the boys face.
g cannot tell how soon; but cannot will
not stand ii longer Because my mother is poor.
and wear coaise clothes, am to be made
butt for the amusement of George -, Charlie
-, and John - beat them in all their
classes at school, aud whipped George -
more than year ago. (you know he is much
older than ~ for making fun of my sister. My
mother said must choose an art or trade; that
true independence consisted in being able to
earn my own livelihood Invent into a printing
office cheerfully, because my mother told me
there was no disgrace in honest labor. She is
always right, and 0beyed her. For this, many
of my old schoolmates pass me by unnoiced-
others taunt me with the word Mechanic. No,
I'll go! the world is wde."
The girl had listened with her eyes bent upon
the flowers; when he ceased, she raised them
TO his, all wet with tears she had no tongue for
words-her soul was coined into sympathy and
poured forth It's eloquence in tears. Vanished
the dark shadow from the boy face.
Don't weep for me-you'll make me cry,
and then you will think | am baby, sure
enough. There, take my handkerchief and dry
yuur eyes. See! l declare if it is not after sun
down, and all the others are nearly home by
this"
They gathered up their boqnets and wended
their way into the town. Both were silent for
some time; the boy seemed wrapped in his own
girl pensively quiet at length
she raised her liquid eyes to the boys face and
spoke:
Father says Pride is one of the greatest sins
and cankers of the heart, destroying all our peace
and happiness here on earih and booming us to
an eternity of misery in future world. Oh.
am afraidyou are too proud; but, indeed I'll
pray for you. Forget these bad boys and We'll
you will be so happy yet"
AS she finished she stood in front oil her home
the deepening shades of evening had fallen im-
on oil around. The expression on
the faces of the youthful pair odistinct.
The words good night good night - were
said, the door closed the one the uihcr stroll
ed along the street
q And. so she TOO ctides me with my pride
Is 1t such a crime in poor boy to be proud
But am not proud like tAey / don't mock nor
sneer at any boy because he is poorer than l. or
wears patched clothes. | feel piIv-I feel like
it was rich, l wonld give them money to get
new and better ones. Bah am tired of being
lectured about my pride. Pride alas, and SO
poor 1t is all my wealth. and I'll always keep
enough to save me from being SO mean and con-
temptibe as these upstarts. What if their ia
theirs are lawyers, merchants and preachers
was not my father gentleman! Ah yes but
lhen he died and left my poor mother 10 struggle
with young family and poverty. Yes, I'll
leave this place, and in the world will seek my
ortune-I will never return until can repay
these fools their insoience with interest in their
own coin But, then, there is M, ah, well
he, as with all the rest, thinks should receive
with humility the insults of these fellows. She
shall learn am not SO mean. III go-but my
mother! l will write back, and tell her how l
eel-perhaps she'll forgive me; care for no
one else. l will go--to-night." ~
Thus soliloquised the boy as he slowly paced
iown old Seventh street, toward his home
There was bitterness in that boys heart, of man.
hoods growth. Pride, Prudence and Poverty
were warning fearfuly in that young soul. Pride
was victorious We shall see whether in the
great world he chose wisely. That night he
:landesinely bid farewell to all he loved or held
lear on earth, and went forth in The cold selfish
world to make dessiny. &
PART SECOND. -
TEs years have had their fruits and flowers,
hat Cusl and Cir