Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-11-26
PARADISE LOST.


PARADISE LOST
Ny kuapsack was on my shoulder SO SAID
Armand, young artist, when little com2a-
nv of US were sitting together the other even
ing.
Ny knap, ,ack was on my shoulder, my ashen |
stick in my hand three leagues of dusty road |
had whitened me like a miller. Whence l
came, whittier 1 was going-what matters it
/ was not twenty years of age. My starting |
place, therefore, was home my goal was Par
adise-any earthly Paradise l could find. The
country was not particularly picturesque, and
the weather was very hot. Great undulatons
of harvest laden fields rolled irreguarly on all
sides. Here was hamlet, there a solitary
farm house, yonder a wood, on each eminence
a windmill Some peasants that were in the
field sang, and the birds chirped at them as if
in mockery. One or two wagons, dragged by
oxen and horses, slowly moved along the tree
bordered road. 1 sat down on heap of stones.
A WAGNER gruffly asked me if was tired, and
offered ME ssa lift.'' | accepted and soon |
was stretched where dung had been-jolted in
to an uneasy half slumber, not without its
charms, with the bells of the lazy team softly
jingling in my ears, until 1 thought silver vol
awotes IN 'ps fs @ .ir,s- re
ceive an apology. The man had forgotten
when he turned off the high road, and taken
me half league into the country. Where
was the harm, honest wagoner2 1 am not GO
ing anywhere; 81 am only going to Paradise"
There was no village of that name in the neigh
borhood, he said but he had no doubt would
be pleased to see the grounds of the chateau.
Of course 1 had come on purpose for that. l
handed him his pour-borie. ssDrink my health,
good man, and injure your own. Let Us see
these grounds; The man showed me through
meadow near the farm ito which he belong
ed) and left me, tossing the silver piece had
given him in his hand. soon observed that
the place was worth seeing.
A hasty glance showed it to be a fragment
of wild nature, occupied in its original state,
and barricaded against civilization. There
were woods and solitary trees; and lakes, and
streams of sufficient grandeur; and, when once
the wall disappeared amidst the heavy foliage,
/ could at first discern no traces whatever of
the presence of man. However, on closer ex-
animation, l discovered that nature had been
improved upon that all subjects which might
ungraciously Intercept the view, or deform
landscape, had been removed. There was no
sham ruins nor artificial cascades; but the
strangers steps were led, by some ingenious
process of plantation, insensibiy TO the best
points OF view. felt, and was thankful, for
the presence OF the art which SO industriously
endeavored to conceal itself; but being at that
time, as most young men are, inclined to COM
pare great things with small-thinking to be
epigrammatic and knowing-I exclaimed a.
loud, s:The toilet Of this park has been admi-
rably performed
"A vulgar idea, vulgarly expressed" said
clear, firm voice above me.
looked up, thinking that somebody was
hidden in tree, and to my surprise, saw
young woman upon fine large horse, holding
riding-whip playfuIly over my head. She
had approached across the turf unheard, and
heard my exclamation, which, assure you,
was meant for no ears but my own.
"MadaIn, - replied ], when l had recovered
from my confusion, 81 think you misunder-
stand me. There is no vulgarity in compar-
ing prospect in which every superfiuity is
thus tastefully pruned away, to a woman, who,
instead of loading herself with ornaments,
uses the arts of the toilet to display all her
beauties to the best advantage"
The explanation will not do,' she replied
sit wants frankness. Your phrase simply
meant that you were ashamed of the admira,
ton this view had at first excited; and tha'
you thought it necessary to exert the manly
privilege of contempt. If had not seen you
yonder using your sketch-book, should take
SOU for travelling hair-dresser.'
The tone and manner of my acquaintance
puzzled me exceedingly; and IVES at mrs.
rather irritated by the hostile attitude she as
sumed on such slight sounds. 1t was eviden
she wished to provoke an intellectual contest
for, at the moment, did not understand ina
her real desire was to suppress the formaiitiel
of an Introduction. returned to the charge