The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-11-20
fil HaS o e u a N1&OWS
THE PALE YOUNG MAN.

! daverous CHECK, and llaliow, bcscecliing
eyes, that glistencd fcarfully with each roll
in the socket. lie bent us he moved, and
his breath came short and gaspingly. His
garments hung loosely in wide folds over
his thin form, betraying its shrunkcn pro.
portions. His hands were folded with an
air cl'ildishly meek, and yet there seemed
certain forlornness in that meek air,
and the swaying posture in which lie sat in
the old cliaisc, bctokeneI extreme cxhaus-
ton.
The worn old cl,aisc stood before mar
tle workers shop, where fronting the door,
along the smoky building, and along the
smearcd 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 uprosc, gIas,ly
shapes yet beautiful, with angels and chcrubs
scutptured thereon, some for liardfcuurcd
men, and some for tender babes; some for
blamcless maids, and others for youths not
yet world stained. Many Of these shapes,
types of beauty more perisllaLlc than them
selves, though made 10y more cunning
l'auds, bore graceful willows dropping from
the stained marble; doves spread their
snowy wings; urns, i'll rcnsivc solitude,
waited for the tear of grief-and over many
bent the cold forms Of passive sorrows, as
shades, mourning for the soul that had de-
parted.
1t sec'ncd g1>remy storping.place for
the pale man, to one along whose veins
bounded the vigorous pulse Of l.caI,l,-a,d
yet tho serene face of the invalid, suiluscd
with glad and almost holy expression tha,
softcncd its ghastliness, and made sadness
more spiritual. formed picture strangely
i" keeping with the surroundings of death.
Day after day, as I passed, saw him usu-
ally in the same place. either being assisted
ty some dear friend Into the old lcatlcry
chaise, or sitting SO lisllcssly, yet so patient,
watching Tie motions Of the laLorcrs cn-
gagged at their work.
Once fortunately met a friend, WHO, as
1 pointed out the pale young man., spoke of
him as ono he had long known and going
towards us rusty ct.aise, he held forth Ills
hand. With glad life expression the ill.,
va'id grasped ii, saying, " This is very un.
expected pleasure"
How are you now, my friend ?" inter
rogatcl the other.
WE'LL" lie said, and the sweetest smile
broke all over his pale features, "I'm nearer
home &l,an cvcr-,l,ank Cod"
There was SO nucl, Ccrvor in that "th;uk
God," that it brought the tears into nv
eyes.
1t is hopeless case, is it not p asked,
passing along with my FREUD" What can
it be that draws him to tic shop Of ,c
marble-workcrs l should think hc was s,,-
perI"tcnd"g the making Of lis monument"
Padded, thoughtlcssly.
"Ths is just what lie is doing" answered
my friend. g lie is a duotnc.i man: and
knowing his state, is overlooking the pro-
grcss Of !sis own tombstone"
1T is horrible !" I cried, startl.J-"it IS
l'eartlcss wl.im-if he mas money, Sill, civ
lie can spend it more cl,rstanIy than that,
or leave it to the poors"
No, no, not hcartle.s; Mark Bennett Is
tar from that, and the charities lie has dis
pcnsed no man Cal, number. Not M hour
Of l'is life passes wi,hou: registering some
good deed. But let me give You an outline
Of his history.
Mark was Il handsome, healthy young
man ten years ago; will, fine flow of spir-
its and high expectations. A fortune was
left to'lim, and it proved his snare. Never
a more humble, modest unassumin. youno
man than lie before that, but when his un-
Gle died and the splendid fortune came
finc fortune, and no mistake-he was of
like m unframed colt-oA, and on the
broad road Of dissipation. Beginning with
moderate prodigality to rid himself of his
golden incumLrancc, his desires soon knew
no bounds. Gradually lie threw off the
restraints winch once sense Of duty, en-
gendered by mothers pious teachings, had
Kept him pnder-plunged into fashionable
follies, forgot God, ruined his constitution.
and soon sunk all but small portion Of
his fine legacy. Poor fellow, in lis case
the race was to tho swift, but it las ended
in lis destruction. Aud now listen while !
give you a little romance. In lis humber
days he loved and was engaged to Miss
Nellie Glen, a sweet, intelligent and poor
girl, Of Scotch descent. Pretty Nellie
hers was very gentle face, the soitest and
msetstruly feminine, Think, ever saw
Web when hc went away to plunge into
foreign dissipation, she grow. paler for
time, b1t she never doubted his ioyc-ncvcr
doabtsf Iistrdil,. m ( .i8
All sweia'some women are suc,, low.