The Panola star. ([Panola] Panola County, Miss.) 1856-1857, 1856-09-03
A SAD MEMORY.

| IA -
What would not give if it were possi-
BILE to take back one hour-one singh
honr Of nv childhood, over whose memo
rv many bitter tears have flowed, and
many vain regrets been wasted.
1t was years and years ago, vet the
scene is fresh before me-: we were ou-
under the fragrant blossoming trees HIT
tie, her brother Frank, and THE happi-
est trio of plavmates to be found any
where.
We little girls had our dolls, of course,
and so we PLAYED, visited back and forth,
from one apple tree to another. And
Frank was dealer in china ware, prin-
clpally in cups and saucrrs, under the old
oak in the lane, and we bought unheard-
of quantities, at the most extravagant
prices. But Frank soon tired, as bows al
ways do, Of such quiet amusement, and
presently began to make himself merry
with our grave savings, and mock dignity.
and finally dared to pronounce it 'all
sham" 1t was only in a mischievous
overflow of his childish glee, and sport
i've answer and ii merry laugh would
have set all right again.
But ] was quick-tempered, and very
hot flush came to my face, and an angry
retort to my lips. ''Now, Frank Hale"
said, "you've spoiled all my fun. and I'll
never speak to you again as long as
| livew
Alas! for that rash word ras kept. But
Frank did not mind it! He only broke
the blossoms off low spray, and began
to sROr-ball us, as he said.
Oh! how plainly see him still The
bright slant sun beams lit up his fair
brow and golden hair, and his blue ewes
were hrimming with frolic. But the little
soft, white missiles reused a wicked and
revengeful spirit in my heart, and catch
ing up stone, threw it full at frankie!
1t struck his forehead, and putting up his
hand, his lips quivering with pain, he on
lv looked at me reproachfully and turned
slowly homcward.
Oh! what guilty, guilty heart was
mine. How l longed to run after him
and ask him TO come back again and for
give me, hut | was too proud. And so |
only watched him silently, until he passed
ont of sight, with his hand still pressed to
his forehead, and then went back again
TO nv play. But the charm was broken.
Our sweet, shady playground was no
longer pleasant, for the happy heart that
had enjoyed it go fully, was heavy with
shame and sorrow, and the hour seemed
long, before Hattie was willing to return
home. That night, as | lay down to
slepp, could not rest in that sweet sleep
which was wont TO do. The very stars
loved so well, seemed like graves, repro
wing ewes, and so closed mine fast, but
could not sleep for long, long time.
resolved to 90 the very next day to Fran
kie and ask him to forgive me, and never,
no, never! be so angry again. But the
next it raincd in torrents, and the next,
and the next, and the third day my father
said at the tea-table, that Mrs. Hale's little
Frank was very i'll with scarlet-fever.-
How prayed that he might not die, that
| might 60 to him and say, Forgive me -
and throw off this dreadful weight. No
one knew how much suffered, for could
not bear to tell even my dear mother but
as day after day the news came that
frankie was growing worse, it seemed to
me that could not endure it. And then
came the solemn tidngs,-Frank WGs
dead! Those blue sorrowful eyes, that
still seemed lo-king upon me, were sealed
forever. The brow had wounded was
cold and pale; those lips were still in
death that had not yet spoken forgiveness.
And when he was lying in his coffin saw
him, and with an almost breaking heart
saw on that still white forehead a trace
yet visible of my passionate deed.
Children, this is true story. 1t has
cost me a great effort to relate it, for the
recollection is very painful still, and yet,
f it shall have power to stay one little
hand raised Ike mine in anger, and pre-
vent like sorrowful memory from en-
bittering another life, shall not regret
that have written it.-ELIss.
Pride and Dicision.-I have ever OBJ