Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1855-07-19
For the Banner.
NOTES OF THE PAST.
BY DELL.

Our early home-the little town nest
led down among the native forests of the
great West! We remember i, still, and
the remem brance recalls our chidhood's
days, their JOYS and sorrows. and awakens
anew the music of early affection in the
heart. We listen TO the swee; tones and
feel that we are again child, with a
loved one still before US mingling the
music of her gentle voice with cur own.
as she did long years ago.
The little town. village il could not be
called. contained church, small but
taste fully built. surmounted by dome
and spire Of appropriate dimensions. 1t
was surrounded. on two sides. by row
Of sheds, where early every sabbath NOR
ming the farmers heavy wagons and lrus-
| ty teams were sheltered from sun and
storm. The church door looked out up
I on an extended green. as it was called,
across which narrow. well-worh foot
paths led from some white cottage home,
with green blinds. nestled cozily down
among vines and shade trees, 10 the place
where all the people went TO worship
Just in the neighborhood there might
have been. in all. perhaps, half dozen
dwellings. including a tidy parsonage,
built. together with the church. at the
instigation OF new pastor. TIE old
Town house stood fronting the east-a
ruin useless in its decay; but. having once
served the double purpose of school and
meeting house. it was left standing. a
relic of other days. for the good i! had
done. lis loose clapboards and sinking
roof told tales Of many bitter blast.
while its antique style spoke plainly OF
the rude hanhiwork OF the pioneer
But all else is lost in the scene which
fancy most faithfully paints this bright
morning 1t is the old red school house
YOU can see ii now just down tho road
as il plays bo peep from the maple
shade, with rougish urchins, who are GO
ing 10 be late a, school. And there is
he little stream * vherc. during the long
summer moons. we have spent so many
Joyous hours watching the silver fish. or
picking the wild flowers just in the edge
of the wood on the opposite shore
Within We see the So me old bench. with
its desk in front. where we used to Sit
BY our side is the frolicksome Nell-a
companion. and true and loving friend
through all the spring of childhood. We
see now the laughing dimples of her rosy
cheeks. and her keen black eyes. as she
vainly endeavors TO suppress bursting
laugh for the teacher is looking. But all
and finally the demure mistress takes hold
of Nelly's arm. and. in no gentle way.
helps her TO move down 10 the lower end
Of the bench. But well she bears so com
mon punishment. and, with the excep-
tion of an occasional note. Nelly has bu.
sled herself in writing, for the express
purpose of provoking our laughter anew,
She behaves herself very orderly and. in
consequence. is permitted the mex! NOR
ming to resume her place by our side.
We remember. too, the descon's son,
Harry B., who conceived boyish partial
ity for the pretty little Nell. and who.
despite the taunts of school fellows.
would often declare that his fathers big
iarm-for Harry was an only son. and his
father was we'll to do in the world
should all BE Nelly's when he came TO be
man. How all this should be brought
about no one knew but himself and Nelly.
One morning. we remember too the
proud expression Of his face as he did il.
having entered the school at late hour.
he walked straight across the room TO
Nelly. and discovered the reason Of his
tardiness by giving to her huge bunch
of wintergreens he had gathered in the
woods on his way to school. They
were received with blush and a timid
"thank-you.' while Harry proudly re-
tired 10 his own seat 10 await the good
humored jokes OF his school fellows at
recess time. The school ms'am never
questioned the proPriely of all THIS. and
Harry endured The jokes so well. while
we helped Nelly to bear the teszings of
her really envious compa Mons, that it
was soon forgotten. Thus passed the
happy hours of childhood. But time, as
TO all else OF earth, brought changes to
the old red school house and parted our
Joyous band. We left little Nell and |
our home in the woods for one unired |
among strangers. Then there came sad
news. Nelly was an orphan. and must
90 forth alone and single handed to the
conflict of life. Years few by and egain