The Trinity journal., 1856-08-23
The Pale Young Man,

young man. lie was a fragile creature,
with cadaverous cheek, and hollow, beseach-
ing eyes, that glistened fearfully with each
roll in the socket. He bent as he moved,
and his breath came short and gaspingly.-
His garments hung loosely in wide folds
over his thin form, betraying its shrunken
proportions. His hands were folded with
an air chldishly meek, and yet there seemed
q certain forlornness in that meek air, and
the swaying posture in which he sat in the
old chaise, betokened extreme exhaustion.
The worn old chaise stood before a mar
ble-worker's shop, where, fronting the door,
along the smoky building, and along the
smeared windows, laughing in great cracks,
and on all sides of the ancient fence that
two generations had seen, white shafts, gray
stones and brown slabs uprose, ghastly
shapes yet beautiful, with angels and cher
ubS sculptured thereon, some for hard feat
ured men, and some for tender babes some
for blameleSs maids, and others for youths
not vet world stained Many of these
shapes, types of beauty more perishabIe
than themselves, though made by more cum
ming hands, bore graceful willows dropping
from the stainless marble doves spread
snowy wings urns in pensiye solitude,
waited for the tear Of grief-and over many
bent the cold forms of passive sorrow, as
shades, mourning for the soul that had de-
parted.
Itsecmed a gloomy stopping place for the
pale young man, to one along whose veins
bounded the vigorous pulse Of health-and
yet the serene face of the invalid sufused
with a glad and almost holy expression that
softened its ghastliness, and strangely in keep
ing with the surroundings of death. Day
after day as / passed, | saw him usually in
the same place, either being assisted by some
dear friend into the old leathery chaise, or
sitting so lstless, yet so patient, watching
the motions of the laborers engaged at their
work.
Once ] fortunately met friend who, as
lpointed out tue pale young man, spoke of
him as one he had long known and going
toward the rusty chaise he held forth his
hand. With glad, life expression, the
invalid grasped it, saying, This is a very
unexpected pleasure"
How are you now, my friend 2" inter
rogated the other.
Well, I" he said, and the sweetest smile
broke all over his pale features, 'Tm nearer
home than eyer-thank God "
There was 20 much fervor in that thank
God" that it brought the tears to my eyes
" 1t is hopeless case, isit-not !" | asked,
passing along with my friend" what can
it be that draws him to the shop of the
marbleworker ? ! should think he was SUI
perintendng the making Of his monument" "
! added thoughtlessly
" That is just what he is doing" answered
my friend. He is doomed man and
knowing his state, is overlooking the prog
resS of his own tombstone.
" 1t is horrible !" ! cried, startled it is
sheartess whim-ifhe has money, surely he
car spend it more Chrstianly than that, or
leave it to the poor"
No, no ;" not heartless Mark Bennett
is far from that, and the charities he has dis
pensed no man can number. Not an hour
OF his life passes without registering some
good deed. But let me give you an outline
of his history.
Mark was a handsome, healthy young
man ten years ago, with fine flow of spir
its and expectations. A fortune was left
HIM, and it proved his snare. Never a more
humble, modest and unassuming young man
than he before that, when his uncle died
and the splendid fortune came-fne fortune,
and no mistake-he was off like an unframed
colt-off, and on the broad road of dissipa-
ton. Beginning with moderate prodigality
to rid himself of his golden incumbrance, his
desires soon knew no bounds Gradually
he threw off the restraints which once a
sense of duty, engendered by a mothers
piouS teachings, had kept him under-plung-
ed into fashionable follies, forgot God
but a small portion of his fine legacy Poor
fellow, in his case the race was too swift
but it has ended in his destruction AND
now listen while | give you a little
romance. In his humber days he loved
and was engaged to Miss Nellie Glen, A
sweet, intelligent and poor girl, of Scotch
descent. Pretty Nellie hers was a very
gentle face, the Softest and most truly femi
nine, think, | ever saw Well, when he
went away plunge into foreign dissipation
size grew paleT for a time, but she never
doubted his love-neyer doubted his truth
All well-sOme women are such loving
and torgiving creatures !" soliloquized my
friend, with an absent air, falling into one
OF his old bachelor reveries, from which ]
startled him by the question.
Did he ever marry her !"
No." he exclaimed, abruptly, "no he
went to New York and Philadelphia, dang
led around few golden satellites from
thence to Europe-came back to the States,
paid court to lady of wealth, and heart
breaking rumor reached Nellie Glen. Poor
glrl-poor girl how quickly she faded. 1t
seemed as if one day you saw the rose on her
cheek, the next the pale lily of DEATH
Sweet Nellie Glen willingly would p
lie paused, apparently shocked at his half
confession; resumed with flushed face.
After an absence of five years he visited
his home again, wreck in body though not
IN fortune for an aunt had died and left
him second legacy / met him one day.
IArpI